Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, has gazetted the new South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) regulations to increase the income threshold to the food poverty line, which rests at R624.
The minister recently sat down and explained the new regulations, as well as provided an update on the Basic Income Grant.
The possible introduction of a universal Basic Income Grant (BIG) for South Africans has been in discussion for quite some time now.
The idea of a permanent social assistance grant has grown in popularity, following the implementation of the R350 grant to help counteract the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country’s poorest citizens.
The Basic Income Grant would provide income support for individuals between 18 and 59 years old who are struggling and don't have any social assistance.
Minister Zulu says the Department is in discussion with a specialist from Germany, as that country makes use of a Basic Income Grant for its people.
"We're sharing ideas with them, we're looking at how other countries do it; right now it's no longer about whether the Basic Income Grant is necessary or not, because if it comes, it will be above R350," says the minister.
She continues, stating that the issue of the poverty line is critical because the Department needs to be able to provide support to South Africans who need it, in such a way that they are able to afford the basics.
"The discussion about the Basic Income Grant now, is how we are going to implement it, what formula is it going to [use]. We are hoping that the R350 was a stepping stone even though it came in the manner in which it came, and so we are hoping that we will finally be able to implement the Basic Income Grant."
Regarding the current R350 grant, the Department of Social Development found that less people are being approved for it, due to the threshold. The increase in the threshold to R624 now allows for more people to qualify and gain financial support.
These major changes to the R350 grant has been implemented and changes how the grant operates, which will undoubtedly have an impact on recipients.
