Civil society groups are proposing SRD grant increase after public comments were open earlier.
Proposed SRD Grant Increase
SRD grants should be increased to at least R413 according to the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI). By 2020, beneficiaries will receive grant payments that are in line with inflation. Consequently, a plan must be developed to gradually increase the grant value until it reaches the Food Poverty Line (FPL) of R624.
Public Invitation For Comments
After members of the public were invited to comment on proposed amendments to the 2022 Regulations regarding the Covid-19 SRD grant, the recommendation to increase the grant’s value was made.
IEJ and SERI welcome the opportunity to raise these critical issues pertaining to the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which is governed by the Social Assistance Act. In their submission, they seek to ensure millions of poor people living in South Africa receive the grant and are not wrongfully excluded.
SRD Verification Checks
SRD grant recipients are subjected to several verification checks to ensure their eligibility. A SRD grant application must be verified for identity, bank verification, and relief from the government.
The IEJ and SERI say that the regulations should specify in which order verification checks will be performed, as well as which information takes precedence. According to them, due to the problems previously encountered with bank verification checks, applicants’ personal information should be given preference.
Money Flow Verifications
SRD grants are based on the amount of money in a person’s bank account. A bank verification check ensures that the grant application does not exceed the R624 income threshold for the SRD grant.
According to their explanation, bank verification practices consider any money deposited in an applicant’s bank account as income. Some grant applicants receive money into their accounts on behalf of relatives who may not have bank accounts themselves or because they make payments on their behalf.
Higher Income Threshold Proposal
Additionally, they are calling for an increase in the income threshold to R1417, the Upper Bound Poverty Line. Support will be provided to everyone living below the poverty line.
Additionally, we are concerned that the current verification process relies on outdated or incorrect databases. In March 2024, the SRD grant will end. It is a temporary relief measure from the government.
IEJ and SERI argue that the Constitution requires the government to provide social assistance to the needy in a progressive manner. According to them, cutting funding for and removing the SRD grant would be a retrogression of constitutional rights.
Question Time
Do you support the idea that SRD Grant should increase?
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