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SASSA Staff Shortages Spark Major Concerns Within Department

DIWIDA.NEWS government, social issues, social security, social services, workforce

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 Staffing shortages at SASSA continue to be an issue, even though a
 budget increase of
 
 R8.2 billion
 
 over the medium term.


 Numerous people were astonished to witness
 South African Social Insurance Agency
 grants increase by between
 
 5.7
 
 and
 
 5.9%
 
 For April 2025 following the delayed Budget Address. Actually, the
 Department for Social Services (DSS)
 will spend
 
 R422 billion
 
 all together this year, with
 
 80%
 
 How much of this spending will go towards social grants?
 .


 Nevertheless, an increasing number of people believe that the government is wasting resources because of ongoing staffing issues at SASSA and inadequate management. The department recognizes that reforms to social grants and enhanced effectiveness are crucial to guaranteeing this service.
 viability of the SASSA social grant system
 beyond 2025.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sassa-staff-shortages">
 SASSA STAFF SHORTAGES
</h2>

 Anybody who has been impacted by the mishandled
 Postbank card migration
 fiasco will agree. As the extended deadline approaches tomorrow,
 
 Thursday 20 March 2025
 
 Only 33% of Gold-to-Black card transitions have taken place. This situation has led to immense suffering.
 elderly and disabled grant
 Recipients who find themselves with no place to go. Nevertheless, government statistics from the DSD clearly illustrate the reasons behind this situation.


 The DSD still grapples with significant staffing deficiencies within SASSA. Regarding social workers, they presently have only a limited number employed.
 
 15 433
 
 versus its target of
 
 55 000
 
 , reports
 
 The Citizen
 
 The concerning disparity was brought to light in the department's 2023/24 Annual Report presented to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) not long ago.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-blot-on-south-africa-s-democracy">
 A STAIN ON SOUTH AFRICA'S DEMOCRACY
</h2>

 The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, referred to social workers as the 'Cinderellas of South Africa'. "These shortages within SASSA personnel stain our democracy, government, and ministry," stated Hendricks. Regardless of these workforce difficulties, the DSD claims they have made progress.
 
 77%
 
 Of its objectives for the 2023/24 fiscal period, according to Chief Director Jacques van Zuydam, the department met 50 out of 65 goals during this time frame. This encompasses expenditures.
 
 99.4%
 
 of its
 
 R260 billion
 
 budget. Nonetheless, there was an underutilization of
 
 R1.5 billion
 
 It has been extended into the present financial year. It appears that this lack of spending is primarily due to the
 SASSA child support grant along with the expanded Social Relief of Distress (SRD)
 grant.


 Similarly, the department has ongoing concerns regarding fraudulent activities. The Deputy Minister feels that more stringent consequences are necessary. "The DSD and SASSA frequently encounter various instances of fraud. Therefore, we must reassess our disciplinary processes. It seems current punishments aren’t harsh enough. We absolutely can't permit our staff members to embezzle funds from either the government or the general populace," Hendricks stated conclusively.


 The post
 Staff shortages at SASSA cause significant worries within the organization.
 appeared first on
 SA People
 .

SASSA Staff Shortages Spark Major Concerns Within Department

Staffing shortages at SASSA continue to be an issue, even though a budget increase of R8.2 billion over the medium term. Numer...

5 Key Benefits You Can Claim Online via the Social Security Website

DIWIDA.NEWS employee benefits, retirement planning, social security, social services, social welfare

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1xOcfs" data-reference="video"/>

 The Social Security Administration’s Public Affairs department remains dedicated to simplifying public access to its programs and benefits. Their website,
 SSA.gov
 provides a user-friendly method to submit an application for benefits via the internet.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1ym39A" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1ym39A.jpg">
 
 Interested in applying? Check out the current choices listed below:
 
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Retirement or spouse's benefits
 
 </h2>
 
 You must be at least 61 years and 9 months, and want your benefits to start in no more than 4 months. Apply at
 www.ssa.gov/retirement
 .
 
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Disability
 
 
 benefits
 
 </h2>
 
 You can utilize the online application at
 www.ssa.gov/disability
 to apply for disability benefits if you:
 
 <ul class="wp-block-list">
 <li>
 Are at least 18 years old.
 </li>
 <li>
 Cannot perform work duties due to a health issue anticipated to persist for at least one year or lead to death.
 </li>
 <li>
 Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, you can appeal the decision online and request a review of the determination made. Please visit
 www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made
 .
 </li>
 </ul>
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
 
 </h2>
 
 SSI offers monthly financial support to individuals of all ages, including both adults and children, who suffer from a qualifying disability or blindness, provided they demonstrate limited income and minimal assets. Individuals aged 65 years and above, regardless of whether they have disabilities, can qualify for SSI benefits as long as their income and resources fall below specific thresholds. Certain disabled adults meeting particular criteria might apply online for these services. For additional information, please refer to the official website.
 www.ssa.gov/ssi
 If accessing the website isn’t possible, you can dial 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment. (For those who are deaf or have trouble hearing, please use the TTY/TDD line at 1-800-325-0778 instead.)
 
 
 
 
 Retirement earnings:
 
 Can you live comfortably after retirement with just Social Security benefits? We posed this question to seniors.
 
 
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Medicare
 
 </h2>
 
 Medicare is a government health insurance program designed for:
 
 <ul class="wp-block-list">
 <li>
 Individuals who are 65 years old or more.
 </li>
 <li>
 Newer employees who have been receiving disability payments for two years.
 </li>
 <li>
 Individuals suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It's important to note that they are exempt from the two-year waiting period.
 </li>
 <li>
 If you haven’t started receiving Social Security benefits yet, you ought to apply for Medicare three months prior to your 65th birthday.
 www.ssa.gov/medicare
 Consider reviewing your Medicare choices even if you're still employed and have coverage from an employer group health plan (or your spouse’s employer health plan via their ongoing employment).
 </li>
 </ul>
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Additional assistance with Medicare prescription drug expenses
 
 </h2>
 
 The Extra Help program assists Medicare recipients with expenses related to prescription drugs, such as deductibles and copayments. Individuals enrolled in Medicare who require financial support for medication costs may apply for Extra Help.
 www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
 .
 
 
 Kindly pass along this information to anyone who needs it.
 
 
 Kylle' D. McKinney serves as a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Alabama.
 
 
 The article initially appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser.
 The five advantages you can secure through the Social Security website are available for your use.
 
</img>

5 Key Benefits You Can Claim Online via the Social Security Website

The Social Security Administration’s Public Affairs department remains dedicated to simplifying public access to its programs and benefit...

Five benefits you can apply for on the Social Security website

DIWIDA.NEWS employee benefits, retirement planning, social security, social services, social welfare

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1xOcfs" data-reference="video"/>

 Social Security Public Affairs continues to make it easier for the public to access programs and benefits. The website,
 SSA.gov
 , offers a convenient way to apply online for benefits.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1ym39A" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1ym39A.jpg">
 
 Want to apply? See below for the latest options:
 
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Retirement or spouse's benefits
 
 </h2>
 
 You must be at least 61 years and 9 months, and want your benefits to start in no more than 4 months. Apply at
 www.ssa.gov/retirement
 .
 
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Disability
 
 
 benefits
 
 </h2>
 
 You can use the online application at
 www.ssa.gov/disability
 to apply for disability benefits if you:
 
 <ul class="wp-block-list">
 <li>
 Are age 18 or older.
 </li>
 <li>
 Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
 </li>
 <li>
 Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, you can appeal the decision online and request a review of the determination made. Please visit
 www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made
 .
 </li>
 </ul>
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
 
 </h2>
 
 SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have limited income and few resources. People age 65 and older without disabilities who have limited income and resources may also be eligible for SSI.  Some adults with disabilities who meet certain requirements may complete the application process online. To learn more, visit
 www.ssa.gov/ssi
 . If you cannot visit the website, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may contact the TTY/TDD number, 1-800-325-0778.)
 
 
 
 
 Retirement earnings:
 
 Is it possible to retire comfortably on Social Security alone? We asked seniors.
 
 
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Medicare
 
 </h2>
 
 Medicare is a federal health insurance program for:
 
 <ul class="wp-block-list">
 <li>
 People age 65 or older.
 </li>
 <li>
 Younger workers who have received disability benefits for 24 months.
 </li>
 <li>
 People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Note: They do not have a two-year waiting period.
 </li>
 <li>
 If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, you should apply for Medicare up to 3 months before turning age 65 at
 www.ssa.gov/medicare
 . You should consider your Medicare options even if you are still working and covered under an employer group health plan (or your spouse’s employer health plan through their active employment).
 </li>
 </ul>
 <h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">
 
 Extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs
 
 </h2>
 
 The Extra Help program helps Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug costs, like deductibles and copays. People on Medicare who need assistance with the cost of their medications can apply for Extra Help at
 www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
 .
 
 
 Please share this information with those who need it.
 
 
 
 Kylle’ D. McKinney is an Alabama Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
 
 
 
 
 This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser:
 Five benefits you can apply for on the Social Security website
 
 
</img>

Five benefits you can apply for on the Social Security website

Social Security Public Affairs continues to make it easier for the public to access programs and benefits. The website, SSA.gov , offer...