Hardship persists for grant beneficiaries
Beneficiaries queue up from as early as 4am
BENEFICIARIES of the R350 unemployment grant braved the rain last Friday, queuing outside the post office in Central Park, Empangeni from as early as 3am to access their money.
The wet weather just added to their hardship of having to deal with a cumbersome system.
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One of the beneficiaries, many of whom travelled long distances, said, ‘I was here yesterday (Thursday) and I am here again today, and can only hope that I will finally make it inside, but I don’t think I will because the queue is very long this morning.’
Another beneficiary, who did not want to be named, said she had been in the queue since 4am, but by 11am the line had not moved.
‘I have been in the same spot for hours. It’s cold, but we have no choice but to stand here and wait because we need the money,’ she said.
While applications for the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant officially closed the previous Friday, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) said beneficiaries who have been approved, but have not yet received the money, will still be paid.
‘Those people who had their R350 grant applications declined for the period February to March, may appeal by going to the website at https://SRD.sassa.gov.za and follow the links for reconsideration.’ said SASSA spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi.
‘If they do not appeal, the declined application will not be reconsidered.
The appeal period closes on 31 May. No appeals will be considered after this date,’
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