This section presents the sub-themes that were identified from all the respondents’ responses with regards to the procedure followed to identify those who qualify for the CSG, which is determined through the eligibility criteria. These include means testing, documents required, the applicant’s reason for applying, and the role of ward committee members in this regard.
5.4.1 Means Testing of the Client
When SASSA administrators were asked about the eligibility criteria for the CSG, all respondents indicated the importance of the client passing the means test in order to determine if she/he qualifies to apply for the CSG. The means test has an income threshold that measures the means of the client and the respondents indicated that a client’s income must be within the threshold. However, there were inconsistences with the SASSA administrators’ knowledge regarding the specific income threshold. One of administrators mentioned that an income threshold for a single client is R2700. One of the SASSA assistant managers expanded on the means test for the CSG:
The child qualifies if the mother and the father are not working, but if they are working we then put them in a means test, where both their salaries are combined and must not exceed R35000 per annum. If it a single parent it can be less (#3 SASSA assistant manager, in-depth interview).
The response above indicates that an unemployed client is not means tested but that these clients automatically qualify to apply for the CSG. Only those clients that are employed go through the process of means testing. Part of means testing requires proof of income from the clients to make the calculations. The respondents alluded that calculations are not made by them as the administrators; rather the calculation is done with a system known as Social Pension System (SCOPEN) using the amounts loaded by the administrators. This means that during this stage of means testing the knowledge of the administrators is not vital as they have no influence on the decision. Regarding the operation of the SCOPEN system one of the SASSA grant administrators said:
We as administrators put in the figures of the salaries in the SCOPEN system, which then calculates for us. We do not make the decision even if we see that you might not qualify, we let the system decide (#4 SASSA grant administrator, in-depth interview).
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When respondents were asked about the eligibility criteria they emphasised the importance of a client being the primary caregiver. This was emphasised by one of the SASSA assistant managers:
The client must be a primary caregiver which is a person that stays with the child 7 days of a week. That does not necessary have to be a biological mother of a child (#3 SASSA assistant manager, in-depth interview).
The data presented above shows that it is not just anyone who can apply on behalf of a child for a CSG and that being a biological parent does not automatically mean that a person becomes a primary caregiver for that child. It also reveals that children taken care of by a non-biological parent are not excluded from the system. However, the respondents further elaborated on the requirements if the client is not a biological parent. One of the SASSA assistant managers stated:
If the applicant is not the biological parent, there is a form they must fill called implied form, where a biological parent must also sign showing that she agrees, and is aware that the child will be looked after by the other caregiver (#2 SASSA assistant manager, in-depth interview).
This response by the SASSA assistant manager reveals that a non-biological parent cannot apply for the CSG on behalf of a child if the biological parent is not aware of it. To ensure that the client is indeed the primary caregiver, background checks are conducted if it is suspected that the information provided by the client is not true:
We thoroughly check the information, for instance to identify those parents that may not be staying with the child, we give them a school form which must filled at school and stamped. We then send out our administrators to do home visit and school visit, to confirm that the client is really a primary caregiver.
Because we believe that a grant follows a child (#2 SASSA assistant manager, In-depth interview).
This sub-theme reveals that part of the eligibility criteria for the CSG is passing the means test and the client must also be the primary caregiver of the child. If the primary caregiver is not a biological parent, consent from the biological parent is mandatory, and decision- making on who qualifies is made by the SCOPEN system. Another aspect in determining the eligibility of the client is the provision of supporting documents.
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5.4.2 Supporting Documentation required from the Client
All SASSA administrators clearly indicated that part of determining the eligibility of the client is the provision of supporting documents by the client. All respondents mentioned the following supporting documents: the identity document of the applicant; their marriage certificate (if applicable); their payslip (if applicable); the child’s birth certificate; their immunisation card; and a school attendance form signed at school if it a school-going child.
An assistant manager expounded on this:
The CSG has its own requirements and they are an ID document with a green barcode, child birth certificate, immunisation card, and if it a school-going child there must be a school attendance form (#3 SASSA assistant manager, in- depth interview).
Mthonjaneni Local Municipality is a rural area, which makes it difficult for people to access some services such as those offered by Home Affairs because the town where all government departments and the municipal offices are situated is relatively far away from the residences of people living in the area. Therefore, some clients may not have all the relevant documents. However, the SASSA administrators indicated that there is a rule under Regulation (11)(1) of the 2008 Regulations of the Social Assistance Act of 2004, which allows the client to continue with the application even if they do not have some of the supporting documents such as an identity document or a birth certificate. The SASSA administrators are allowed to accept alternative proof of identification. However, this proof must comprise of: an affidavit provided by SASSA or another authorised office, or proof of the application for an identity document or birth certificate at Home Affairs. The respondents also indicated that this regulation has a time limit of three months after which the CSG money will be discontinued. It is then the responsibility of the client to return to the SASSA offices with the outstanding documents to re-apply. A SASSA grant administrator expanded on this:
There are those clients that come without an ID; we take that application using regulation eleven that is where we take a temporary ID so that they receive the grant for three months. After three months the client comes back to report if they have the ID, if not we then call Home Affairs offices to ask them to confirm how long it will take, the client then re-applies (#2 SASSA grant administrator, in-depth interview).
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The findings above reveal that supporting documents are critical during the application process as they help to determine whether the primary caregiver is eligible to apply for the grant or not. The findings also reveal that the chances of deserving children being excluded from the CSG as a result of shortage in supporting documents are low; this due to the allowance made through Regulation 11 for alternative proof to be accepted by SASSA.