The funeral policy is a supportive program that provides financial relief at the time of the death of a beloved family member. The lump sum payment of R9000 is granted to the next kin or family member of the deceased person.
The great month brings great surprises for SASSA beneficiaries as the agency is aspiring to enhance the grant amount for December in the shape of gift money. SASSA believes that individuals need extra cash on Christmas. Consequently, it aims to provide an increased stipend this month.
The eligible persons can collect the SASSA grant payment on behalf of the deceased person for the last month. They can also get an additional reward of R2500 to cover the cost of the funeral arrangements.
The claimants need to present the invoice or slip of all the different costs that are estimated for the funeral to the SASSA. They are also required to submit official documents that verify their identity and relation to the beneficiary who has died.
It is better to collect all types of benefits and payments on behalf of a deceased person after approval of SASSA. You should timely inform the department about the death of a family member who was receiving the grants.
How SASSA Funeral Policy Works
The value of the funeral amount is adjusted per annum and is granted on a lump-sum basis. The recipients can get an amount equal to the funeral expenses which are usually mortuary fees, transportation costs, and coffin expenses.
A special relief is available for the families of deceased SASSA beneficiaries who had an active grant policy. A close family member can collect the last month’s grant on behalf of a beneficiary which is other than the funeral cost benefits.
The recipients need to provide proof that the deceased person was a beneficiary and did not collect the grant before his death. The identity proof for a legal representative is also required.
The relative will present the evidence of the funeral expenses and collect the funeral amount. The pensioners are not eligible for a funeral policy. There are several other criteria for this policy that we are going to discuss in upcoming sections.
Payment for the funeral policy by SASSA
The funeral payouts are given to the legal representatives or next kin of the deceased beneficiary. The lump sum amount that is paid for one person is R9000. However, a payout of R2500 is also awarded as a one-time payment to cover the basic cost of funeral expenses.
The funeral cost can vary from person to person and is not available for all types of grants as well. The SASSA will make sure that this payment is provided to eligible and needy people.
The relatives will submit an application to the SASSA that is approved within 72 hours. It won’t take much time and is usually approved within one working day. It is important to note that the death benefits and funeral benefits are different.
SASSA Funeral Policy Eligibility
The eligible person can collect all different types of benefits after the death of a SASSA beneficiary. This person needs to fulfill certain requirements that we are going to discuss in detail in this segment.
If the beneficiary is deceased without collecting the last month’s grant payment then a legal family member can apply for these benefits.
The family member can not collect the uncollected payment directly. They need to inform the SASSA and record all the details regarding the deceased person. You can use a toll-free number to inform about the death of the grant holder (0800 60 10 11).
You should give the list of all the expenses and a list of members that are coming to attend the funeral. This information can include receipts and invoices. The relative must have a South African citizenship and permanent residency proof.
Documents Required For Getting Funeral Benefits
When applying for any type of claim to the SASSA the applicants require some special type of documents. These documents are listed in this section for the funeral policy.
- Death certificate of a deceased person.
- South African ID card of the claimant.
- South African ID card deceased.
- Proof of the relationship with the deceased person can be an affidavit of the marriage certificate.
- A proof of social grant can be a bank statement or receipts.
- A detailed list of all different funeral expenses.
How To Claim SASSA Funeral Benefits
If you have already gathered all the relevant documents related to the funeral policy then you can apply for this claim. Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria before taking this step. The process is smooth and we have explained it in this section.
Reporting Death
The first task is to report to the SASSA about the death of your relative. You can give them a call and tell them the name of the policyholder and other details. The office will ask for other information such as the SASSA ID number or any other proof.
Collect Documents
Take a copy of all the vital documents before visiting the SASSA office. These documents can also induce the death certificate and income proof of the claimant.
Visit SASSA Office
The typical operating hours of the SASSA office are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These timings can also vary in different locations. You can visit them during the working days and talk directly to the customer care agent.
Submission
Give all the necessary documents to the relevant staff member. They can ask you to fill out a form or application. After that attach the documents with the application for a final review. The staff member will process the application and tell you about the waiting time.
Payment
The SASSA is very quick in delivering funeral and death benefits. They can take no more than 72 hours to give you a payout. You can confirm the status of the application on the helpline number or can directly visit the office.
Different Benefits of Funeral Policy By SASSA
The funeral policy provides financial assistance to the dependents of the deceased beneficiary. In difficult times the SASSA helps to cover the funeral and basic costs. It will ease the financial burden for a short time. Check your SASSA Status.
Dignified Support
The most significant benefit is to give a timely funeral to the loved ones. This funeral can be expensive if a lot of family members are coming to the event. The poor dependents can struggle to cover the costs so this policy will help them.
Low-Income Families
The low-income families who depend upon the SASSA grants can at least get a grant for the last month with the additional payouts.
Easy Process
The process is very easy and any close relative can apply for this claim. The SASSA releases the payment without wasting time after the death of the beneficiary.
Supplementary Reward
The SASSA provides a supplementary reward of R2500 in addition to the actual cost of the funeral. This additional aid can help to cover any type of extra costs that can arise during the event of a funeral.
What Happens When a Beneficiary Of SASSA Dies
When a beneficiary dies then the family member registers the death with the department of the home affairs. This department automatically sends a notification to the SASSA about the death. The department will cancel the grants for this beneficiary promptly.
The SASSA will also cease any type of payments that are available in the account of the recipient. The family of the person should promptly report this death to the SASSA as well. You can report it by visiting the office in person.
You can include the death certificate and supporting documents to verify the claim. The family members can claim the amount available in the recipient account and can also take the last month’s payouts.
It is also important to withdraw any money or cash from the account of the beneficiary before the commencement of the new month. If you will not withdraw the money or claim any funds then SASSA might not entertain you for delaying the process.
Funeral Insurance Or Other Scheme by SASSA
The insurance policies are not directly offered by the SASSA. These facilities are sponsored by the third party insurance service provider. These insurance providers can deduct the authorized payments from the social grants of an individual.
This policy is available for Old age, war veterans, and disability grants. The amount is almost 10 percent of the total grant that is deducted as an insurance payment. The insurance providers can be private firms that are authorized by SASSA.
So you can apply to a specific organization after the death of a recipient for the insurance claim. However, it is important to note that the SASSA will not help you out in this case because it deals with the different types of funeral benefits that we have discussed earlier.
Important Considerations for SASSA Funeral Policy
It is crucial to report the death of an individual on time to the relevant department. This will initiate the process of disbursing the benefits to the family members. Consider these valuable tips while applying for the funeral policy.
Be Quick
The delays in the reporting can result in the complications like the funds being stuck in the account. The SASSA can block access to the payments on a permanent basis.
Accurate Documentation
The inaccurate documents can hold the process of granting the funds. The SASSA can reject the application and ask for a review. You can submit a copy of the death certificate and identify documents of the deceased to avoid any confusion.
Legal Authorization
If the representative is not the next kin of the recipient then a legal document is required. The authorization process is necessary and the SASSA can also ask for a court letter or affidavit. This legal framework makes sure that everything is going on lawfully.
Verification Process
The individuals need to cooperate with the SASSA during the process of verification. There can be discrepancies and other issues that you need to resolve promptly. The applicant is responsible for all the vital issues so verify the details before submitting anything to the office.
Consultation and Assistance
The applicants can get assistance from the SASSA office prior to making any decision. The office will give valuable guidance and tell you the essential steps to process the funeral benefits. Addressing the issues on time can save costs and delay the process.
Understanding Benefits
You should understand what type of benefits you are seeking. There are unpaid grants, funeral expenses, and supplementary funds. If you do all the things right then the SASSA will allocate all the possible benefits to the right person within a given timeframe.
Additional Aids By SASSA in Special Cases
The SASSA offers old age grants, child grants, and disability grants. However, in special cases, it offers some other types of benefits that you may need to know. These are supplementary benefits that are provided to the needy people of South Africa.
Grant-In-Aid
The grant in AID is a specially designed aid that provides financial support to people who are already receiving different types of benefits from SASSA. The recipients can apply for this aid for the year 2024 as well.
This grant is for those who need special assistance and can not perform daily routine activities. If you recognize the need for the extra resources then this aid can cover the different expenses. The caregiver or disabled person can take this benefit.
The applicants must provide a medical report from a health care department or a confirmation document that they need consistent care. The physically ill or disabled people can apply for this aid.
The financial increment in the grant in Aid for the month of April is almost R20. The total additional amount that a recipient can get is almost R530. The individuals need to reapply for this aid even if they are receiving the other benefits.
Social Relief Distress (SRD) Grant
The social relief distress grant is a temporary benefit that is provided to South African citizens. The people can receive these grants if they are facing unforeseen circumstances. It is especially for those who are facing crises due to loss of income and other emergencies.
The eligibility criteria for this grant are based on the immediate needs of the applicant. It is only offered for the time being and you must be a resident of South Africa who is experiencing a crisis.
Proof of identity or other documents such as assets and income statements are required. In some cases, you can show a letter of termination from the previous job. Any proof that shows the property damage is also acceptable.
The previous amount of this grant was R350 for the year 2023. From this year the grant amount is increased up to R413. These changes are made due to the existing financial conditions and high inflation rate.
War Veteran’s Grant
The War Veterans Grant is a financial program for South African citizens who fought in the Korean War or World War II. This aid is to acknowledge the sacrifices of the soldiers who can get a monthly stipend support.
War veterans can cover their basic living expenses. Residents who are older than 60 years old and are disabled can also apply for this grant. The applicants can provide proof of their service or a retirement letter etc.
As per the latest changes in April 2024, the set amount for this aid is R2,200 for each recipient. If someone meets the eligibility criteria for this grant can apply on the official website of SASSA.
Conclusion
The SASSA has a clear-cut policy for the funeral of a deceased beneficiary. According to this policy, the next Kin or the relevant family member can receive the benefits.
These benefits will include the funeral costs, additional rewards, and the last month’s payment if it is not collected. Moreover, the applicants must submit the correct documents to the SASSA office and get the payouts not more than 72 hours. The office will not delay this process for any reason.
The estimated amount for the funeral cost is R9000. The additional awarded amount can be R2500. Moreover, there are last month’s grant charges to collect.
