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.
If my SASSA card expires, can I still receive money but not be able to withdraw? Or will the money not be paid at all?
SASSA will not stop paying your grant money, but if you do not draw your grant for three months, the grant will lapse.
What rights do the backyard dwellers have to my mother’s council house now that she's died?
Council houses are not owned but rented to tenants, the tenancy agreement comes to an end automatically when the tenant dies.
Where can I as a pensioner go with my disabled grandchildren now that we have been evicted?
You should get legal advice if you have been evicted without a court order.
How can I report a crime anonymously? Will I be taken seriously?
To report a crime anonymously, you can call the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.
How can I get my provident fund if the company I worked for has been sold to another group?
If the company isn't helping you, perhaps go directly to your provident fund administrator.
Why is SASSA not sending me an ID verification link?
It could be that they are struggling to verify your identity because you have a green ID book and your photo is not clear enough.
How can I check if the RDP house I applied for has been approved?
There are a few ways you can check your housing application status
How can I help my minor child claim his inheritance if I don't have access to his deceased parent's documents?
Start by contacting the Master of the High Court in the area where your child's parent lived and explain the situation.
If I retire early due to ill health, will I still receive a pension?
If you are a member of a provident fund, your disability or ill health benefit is treated as a retirement benefit.
How can I apply for Free Basic Electricity if I'm paying for the Eskom account but I'm a tenant on someone else's premises?
A letter or affidavit from the owner could work.