Page 54 - Department of Social Development Annual Report 2021

PERFORMANCE BY PROGRAMME

Programme 3: Social Security Policy and Administration

Programme Purpose
Furthermore, the Department completed the Green
Provide for social security policy development, Paper on Comprehensive Social Security Reforms,
administrative justice, the administration of social grants, which has been under discussion within National
and the reduction of incorrect benefit payments.
Economic Development Labour Council (NEDLAC) for
the past four years. The paper makes very significant
Social Security Policy Development
and far-reaching proposals for the complete overhaul of
the current social security system. The reforms will
During the year under review, the Department developed a create a social security system that covers everyone in
draft policy proposal for the Basic Income Grant. Considering the country, ensuring that those who are unable to
the existing categorical grants for children, older persons support themselves are provided with social grants,
and persons with disability, the policy proposal focusses while those in both formal and informal employment
primarily on the provision of income support to working age are provided with an institutional platform to make
individuals between 18 and 59 years, who currently do not mandatory and voluntary contributions to cover
have access to social assistance.
themselves and their families in the event of their
retirement, death or disability. The Department,
The Department also completed two inter-related policy together with other affected government departments
reports, one on the costing of maternal benefits and the will embark on an extensive consultation process in the
other on costing of policy options for the linking of child next financial year to develop a social compact on the
support grant beneficiaries to other government services. nature, structure and coverage of a future social
The Maternal Benefits Policy work is motivated by a security system that the country should implement.
recognition of the importance of the first 1000 days in a During the year under review, the Fund-Raising
child’s life, and the role that poverty and deprivation in the Amendment Bill was tabled in Parliament. The
antenatal period plays in the early development of the child amendments are intended to address the fragmentation
from birth onwards. The Child Support Grant linkage is and inefficiency that currently exists in the process of
about deepening the developmental impact of the social responding to disasters in the country. The current
grant by promoting and ensuring that all the child legislation provides for multiple funds to address very
beneficiaries can access other social protection benefits narrow categories of disasters. The objective of the Bill
including birth registration, health care, and education.
is to consolidate all relief funds into a single fund with
a single Board to enhance responsiveness and
In addition, the regulations for the Social Assistance efficiency.
Amendment Act, 2010 (Act No.5 of 2010) which were
assented by the President in December 2020, were published The Social Assistance Appeals provide an effective,
for public comment and updated based on the comments efficient and accessible social assistance appeals
received. When implemented, these regulations will provide service for applicants and beneficiaries of social
for improved administrative processes within SASSA to assistance. It provide access to their constitutional right
improve the quality of service to grant beneficiaries and to administrative justice by ensuring that the
allow direct access to the Independent Tribunal for Social administrative decisions taken by SASSA in relation to
Assistance Appeals. This will reduce the time it takes for the grant applications are timeously reviewed by an
resolution of complaints from 180 days to 90 days, thus Independent Tribunal to ensure that they are lawful,
contributing to improved access to administrative justice for reasonable and procedurally fair. During the reporting
social grant applicants. In addition, the regulations will period, the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance
contribute to a reduction in the demand for foster care Appeals adjudicated 96,4% of the appeals within the
services, by enabling access to a higher value for the Child legislated 90-day timeline.
Support Grant for orphans living with family members.

The President also signed the proclamation of chapter 4 of
the amended Social Assistance Act, thereby facilitating the
establishment of the Inspectorate for Social Assistance. The
Inspectorate is charged with promoting the integrity of the
social assistance frameworks, by ensuring that SASSA
adheres to all the policies and legislation related to the
provision of social grants. The Department will work with
the Department of Public Service and Administration to
facilitate the operationalisation of the Inspectorate.

54
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21