R2 400 a month, several mouths to feed: Free State grant recipient says it’s not enough

Edward Dumezweni has received a SASSA Disability Grant for more than five years. The Free State man supports three dependants on his monthly payment. He shared his story through The South African’s SASSA grant survey. He says the grant does not cover his household’s basic needs.

The Disability Grant pays R2 400 per month to people who cannot work due to a physical or mental condition. SASSA deposits Dumezweni’s grant straight into his bank account each month. He says the payment process has been straightforward and has caused him no problems.

The grant runs out before month end

Dumezweni uses his grant mainly for food and groceries. He says he regularly struggles to make ends meet, and the money runs out before the month ends. He rents his home privately, so rent competes with food and other essentials for the same limited funds.

The rising cost of living and food prices are his biggest financial concern. When one monthly payment has to stretch across several people, every price increase at the till cuts deeper.

One clear request for SASSA

When asked what he would change about SASSA, Dumezweni said he wants the grant amount increased. He named a specific figure.

“If they can increase it with minimum of R500,” he said.

An extra R500 would take the Disability Grant to R2 900 a month. For a household like his, that could mean the difference between running out mid-month and making it through.

Queues remain a frustration

Despite his financial struggles, Dumezweni rates SASSA’s communication with recipients as very good. His biggest challenge with the system is the long queues and wait times at SASSA offices.

His story reflects the pressure facing many disability grant recipients who support whole households. Until the amounts rise, families like his will keep making hard choices between rent, food and other essentials.

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