The Ministry of Social Development has published in the Official Gazette the promulgation of the Social Assistance Amendment Act, which will effectively improve social assistance programs benefiting orphans and vulnerable children.
Social Assistance is one of the largest child protection programs in the country, currently serving more than 13 million children.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry explained that the Social Assistance Amendment Act specifically seeks to make provision for additional payments related to social grants, including, among other things, the extended implementation of the Child Support Grant (CSG) policy for orphans. . Caring for Relatives (CSG Top-Up).
“This policy intervention will authorize the Minister of Social Development, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance, to increase the child support subsidy by 50% for orphans in the care of relatives eligible for CSG.
“These children will now receive a basic CSG of R480, plus an additional R240 (50% of the basic CSG), for a total of R720,” the ministry said.
This provision is important because it allows relatives caring for orphans to quickly receive social grants by going directly to SASSA without first requiring a social worker's investigation, report, and consent. said it is an important part of a comprehensive legal solution to foster care issues. Court order.
“CSG Top-Up eases the burden on social workers dealing with high foster care cases by reducing the number of new applications and biennial extensions. This will build on the existing CSG system in the form of a 'top-up' amount, rather than a new subsidy. ,” the ministry said.
CSG is one of the most successful government social protection interventions for children living in poverty.
CSG Top Up expands on this successful program by focusing on the most vulnerable children – orphans living with adult relatives or living alone in child-headed households. will be able to use the benefits on their own.
This policy will expand care and protection for these vulnerable children.
The ministry said orphans living in poor households and children in single-parent households who do not receive adequate financial support warrant policy intervention for additional income support.
“This intervention strengthens and supports orphan safety nets through specifically defined additional available cash transfers.
“This will enable relatives caring for orphans to provide basic needs and necessary support within an extended family environment without separating them from their familiar households,” the ministry said.
This marks the country's Child Protection Week, which began on Sunday in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, and is scheduled to end on June 5, 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal.
The commemoration aims to raise awareness about the high incidence of teenage pregnancy, abuse and exploitation, with a focus on the reduction and prevention of teenage pregnancy through prevention and early intervention programs.
This campaign further strengthens our partnership with various stakeholders, most importantly parents, families and communities.
During Child Protection Week, the Department will highlight the services it provides to promote the rights, welfare and protection of children.
Additionally, children are given the opportunity to voice issues that affect them and suggest solutions.
To receive this benefit, the applicant must prove that the child is an orphan by providing:
– A certified copy of the child's parent's death certificate.or
– If the applicant is unable to obtain a death certificate for one of the child's parents, a certified copy of the death certificate of one parent and an affidavit by the applicant certifying that the status of the child's other parent is unknown. book.
The amendments will also make it easier to apply for CSG and CSG Top-Up online, reducing the burden on primary carers who have to travel long distances or queue at SASSA offices to apply. This also reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Eligible carers can now apply for a CSG charge at SASSA regional offices and online from today, 1 June 2022, which also marks International Children's Day.
Applicants can also track their application status using the online portal. Notification of the results of your online application will be sent via SMS or email. – SAnews.gov.za