There is no doubt that the imposed national lockdown has greatly affected the poorest among us especially those who receive no social relief at all. As we go deeper into the 21-day lockdown, people without any form of income are becoming more desperate for the basic necessities.
There have been many messages posted on social media giving misleading information with regard to food parcels. I have contacted officials at SASSA and the Department of Social Development and was provided with the following reliable information.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has implemented a relief mechanism to assist vulnerable people and alleviate their plight. To be eligible to qualify for the Social Relief of Distress (a grocery hamper), one must meet the following criteria:
- Not be in receipt of any SASSA grant
- Those whose grants have been suspended or terminated and who have
- re-applied will qualify.
- If a beneficiary has applied for a social grant prior to the lockdown and is awaiting approval will qualify
- Families in dire need and have no financial assistance
People who meet the above criteria may use the following contact numbers to apply for Social Relief of Distress : 0800 60 10 11 or 033Â 846 3000 or Whatsap 071Â 607 1514.
SASSA officials will take your details and people who qualify will be contacted and informed of a pick-up point nearest their homes in keeping with the National call for people not to leave their homes unnecessarily. This is done on a month-to-month basis and people will have to re-apply each month.
To help flatten the curve during this Covid-19 pandemic lockdown people are advised not to go to SASSA or Social Development offices requesting food parcels using copies of SASSA forms which are not valid.
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Contact:
Hon Les Govender MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Social Development, 083 974 4894
09 April 2020
