Will part-time work and occasional payments affect your SASSA grant?

What happens when you get part-time work or occasional payments into your bank account while receiving a SASSA grant? Here's what beneficiaries need to know.

Millions of South Africans rely on the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for financial assistance to cover essential expenses such as food, toiletries and other basic necessities.

With unemployment remaining a major challenge in the country, people who are out of work may occasionally find opportunities to earn money through casual jobs or once-off work.

But what happens when SASSA beneficiaries receive occasional payments into their bank accounts? Could the additional income affect your eligibility for a grant?

SASSA spokesperson Dr Paseka Letsatsi, explains the factors considered when determining whether someone qualifies for social assistance.

Letsatsi says one of the key considerations is the amount a beneficiary earns and whether their income falls within or exceeds the prescribed threshold applicable to their specific grant type.

"Monthly income thresholds are published annually through the Government Gazette. The key consideration is whether a beneficiary's income falls within or exceeds the prescribed threshold applicable to the specific grant type."

Other factors that are considered, include an applicant's marital status, the type of grant being applied for, the applicable income threshold, and the value of the applicant's or household's assets and property holdings.

Letsatsi adds that irregular or once-off payments into a beneficiary’s bank account are assessed according to factors such as the value of the payment, the nature and source of the funds, whether the payment is recurring or non-recurring, and the extent to which it affects the beneficiary’s overall financial position.

"An isolated or once-off deposit does not automatically result in a beneficiary being disqualified, as each case must be assessed on its own merits and within the context of the applicable means test requirements," says Letsatsi.

"It should also be noted that the means test applied to Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants differs from that used for permanent social grants. The qualifying criteria, income thresholds, and assessment methodologies for SRD are therefore not the same as those applicable to other social assistance grants."

Letsatsi encouraged beneficiaries to report any changes in their financial circumstances because it helps ensure that grants are administered fairly and in accordance with the applicable legislative and policy requirements.

"Beneficiaries are encouraged to declare all sources of income accurately and to provide any supporting information or documentation requested by SASSA for verification purposes."

While some beneficiaries may be concerned about disclosing additional income, Letsatsi warned that failing to declare relevant information could affect the assessment of their eligibility for social assistance.

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