By Anita Dangazele
- The Department of Social Development left R4.8-billion in grant money unspent, including R533-million meant for child support grants.
- DA MP Nazley Sharif says beneficiaries battle fingerprint checks and grant reviews, while officials blame improved administration for the underspending.
The Department of Social Development underspent R4.8-billion set aside for social grants, and R533-million of that was meant for the child support grant. The money never reached the caregivers who qualify for it.
The department’s Chief Financial Officer, Thandeka Ngcobo, told Parliament that improved administration and grant approval processes led to the lower spending. She said some disability grants lapse automatically once a beneficiary’s six or 12-month eligibility period ends.
Members of Parliament were not satisfied. DA MP Nazley Sharif said the government keeps saying poverty is rising while almost R5-billion in grant money went unspent. She said committee members regularly hear complaints from beneficiaries who struggle with fingerprint verification and grant reviews.
MPs questioned whether these checks, including fingerprint scans and repeated eligibility reviews, are stopping people who already qualify for a grant from receiving it.
The Social Relief of Distress grant made up the biggest share of the underspend, at R3.1-billion. That money still has to be paid to beneficiaries in the new financial year. The old age grant was underspent by R793-million and the disability grant by R318-million.
The underspending comes as the cost of feeding a family keeps climbing. The PMBEJD Household Affordability Index found the average food basket cost R5,502.42 in June, up R23.15 from May and R59.29 higher than a year ago.
For a caregiver who qualifies for the child support grant, the money was there. A fingerprint scanner or a grant review may be the reason it never came.
Pictured above: Fingerprint checks may be blocking your child’s Sassa grant.
Image source: File
