Service Delivery-Grants-General Community

FOCUS GROUP
Individuals, Families, Children in dire need of assistance.

SERVICE
Community Based services: Social relief of Distress

LEGISLATION THAT DIRECTS THE SERVICE
Social Assistance act 59 of 1992.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
In terms of regulations 26 to 29 of Social Assistance Act 59 of 1992, Social relief of distress means the alleviation of the immediate need of persons by means of temporary rendering of material assistance by the state.

The application for social relief of distress shall be made on a prescribed format and a social worker will investigate the circumstances of an applicant and submit a written report with a recommendation.

The value of social relief of distress shall be equal to; in the case of a single person an amount not exceeding the maximum social grant payable per month, as approved;

• in the case of a married person an amount not exceeding the amount payable per month for each adult; and
• in the case of the child, an amount not exceeding the maximum childSupport grant payable per month.

In exceptional case where the social relief of distress benefit has to be paid for;

• transport cost to be taken care of if an applicant is referred for treatment by the medical officer and no other arrangements can be made for transport.
• transport costs also to be taken care of if an applicant must travel to a specific destination to assume employment where he or she will not be dependant on further state aid; the amount to be paid to be informed by the travel costs.

Social relief of distress shall be issued for a maximum period of three consecutive months. Approval of any re-issue will be the responsibility of the district manager.

Social relief of distress may be extended for a further three months after a re-evaluation and submission of a social workers report.

PURPOSE/AIMS OF THE SERVICE
In terms of regulations 26 to 29 of Social Assistance Act 59 of 1992, Social relief of distress is meant to alleviate immediate need of persons by means of temporary rendering of material assistance by the state.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE GRANT?
The qualification criteria to access this grant are;

• A person is awaiting permanent aid from the sate.
• A person has been found medically unfit for a period less than 6 months (Disability grant will not be given less than 6 Months.).
• No maintenance is received from a person obliged to pay maintenance.
• The breadwinner is deceased and no sufficient means are available.
• The breadwinner has been admitted to an institution for less than six months. These institutions include; hospitals, treatment centers for drug dependants or institutions where a person is detained.
• The person has been affected by disaster, although the area of the community in which he or she live has not been declared a disaster area or by any other emergency situation.
• The person is not receiving assistance from any other organization. These organizations include churches, religious associations, welfare organizations etc.
• The person has appealed against the suspension of their grant. Here the appeal should be made within 90 days of suspension to be eligible for social relief of distress.

In all the above requirements the following should be taken into consideration that;

• No person may receive a social grant and social relief simultaneously.

If payment is done erroneously, the amount paid to a beneficiary on social relief shall be recovered from the grant payment, including arrear payment.

• The regulation 26(3) stipulates that, notwithstanding the provisions contained in sub-regulations (1) and (2) assistance may be rendered in exceptional cases where the Director – General is of the reasonable opinion that refusal may cause undue hardship. Such a decision can however only be made by a District Manager, who will record the reasons for the decision on the application form.
• Social relief of distress is issued to non South African citizens, as SA citizenship is not a requirement.