ACESS, a coalition of organisations working to extend social security to children, welcomed the promulgation of regulations which will extend grants to many more South Africans. The Department of Social Development has announced that the regulations will be promulgated on Monday the 25th August.
 
"Dr Skweyiya announced that the means test applicable to the child support grant is changed from R1,100 to R2,200 per month. The Care Dependency grant income threshold is increased from R4,000 to R9,400 per month.  This means that to qualify for these grants people can earn twice as much as they did before. This and other means test changes will increase the number of people who can access the social security system, by up to a million beneficiaries. We are very pleased, and want to warmly congratulate the Department on this step." said Patricia Martin, director at ACESS.

The child support grant was introduced in 1998, with a means test of R1100. The test has remained unchanged over 10 years, and has been eroded in value by inflation since the introduction of the grant. It was intended to reach children defined as poor, but with no poverty line or agreed definition of poverty, the test has gradually excluded more and more children, especially with recent high inflation.

"This grant gives people the resources to feed children, and get them out of the house and into education, sports, church, the mosque - everywhere they need to be. It opens door for children. It is a great move, and one we warmly welcome."  said Martin.

For more information call Alison Tilley 083 2582209

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