Answers to your questions
Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.
Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email info@groundup.org.za.
Can I be paid my UIF and SASSA pension while also getting money from my old job?
Yes, but SASSA grants are means tested, and UIF and pension benefits count as income, so your grant will be less.
Why has my R350 SRD grant application status said "pending" for two years?
SASSA manually verifies every application, which takes very long. It could be that there is information missing but SASSA does not inform applicants when this is the case, so you need to keep checking
How can I apply for a SASSA child support grant if I don't have a bank statement to prove my income?
If you don’t have a bank account, there are other ways you can prove your income situation to SASSA.
Can I apply for an old age SASSA grant if my wife's annual income exceeds the maximum income threshold but I am unemployed and she is under debt review?
Unfortunately, if your combined income exceeds the threshold, your application is unlikely to succeed, but you can appeal the decision.
What should I do if my late parent's attorney lost their will and title deed, and we can't get hold of them?
You should be able to get copies from the Master's Office where the death was registered.
How can someone buy an abandoned house if the previous owners can't prove ownership?
They could go to the Deeds Office to see if there is a title deed, otherwise legal assistance may be required.
Can I get my parent's RDP house if they passed away before getting the key?
If the house had been awarded to your parent before they passed away, you should be able to get the house (unless they wrote a will saying otherwise).
Why does my identity verification link for my SASSA application not work?
There could be a problem with your photo or the information captured in your application could be incorrect or incomplete.
How long does it take to get an ID card?
It seems to take two to three weeks on average to get your smart ID card.
My father died in 2006. He worked as a miner at Harmony Gold. Can I claim from the Tshiamiso Trust?
Yes, if your father was medically diagnosed with silicosis or TB before he died.