By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
On a mission to avoid long queues and to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country the South African Social Security Agency has launched the pilot project for online social grant application.
Since the announcement of the National lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa, it has been difficult for social grant applicants to access the services due to lockdown regulations.
The newly introduced pilot project resumed today by testing the SASSA system and it will run up until the 25th of September 2020.
In a statement released by SASSA today, it was stated that those who qualify for the social grants as of today, will be able to apply online.
“As from today, social grant applicants will be able to apply for certain social grants online. The pilot project will at this stage cover the Child Support, Older Persons, and Foster Child grants.”
This is part of the government’s effort to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“This should be a relief to grant applicants as it will save them the inconvenience of standing in queues at SASSA offices in order to apply for their grants. The added advantage is that the convenience of online applications eliminates the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus because there will be no need to gather at public places in order to apply.”
To be able to access the service successfully, the applicant needs to attach the required, certified supporting documents. The response will be sent to the applicant through email or SMS.
“To access this service, applicants need to have an email address to sign up and to be able to log in for further services. Feedback to applicants will be sent through SMS, notification to applicants with no email addresses and an email response will be sent to applicants choosing to be contacted by email. A receipt will be generated when the application is completed.”
It will take about ten days for SASSA officials to respond to the applicant.
“This remote self-service will be possible on both a computer and a mobile phone. The turnaround time is 10 days, provided the applicant supplies all the stipulated documents such as identity documents of applicant and spouse as well as banking details among others.”
The applications can be lodged on https://services.sassa.gov.za which is a secure website. After reviewing the system other grants will also be added to the portal.