Sassa Efforts to Alleviate Western Cape Disability Grant Backlog

Sassa Efforts to Alleviate Western Cape Disability Grant Backlog. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) recent endeavors to expedite the assessment of disability grant applications in the Western Cape have gained momentum.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has provided insights into these initiatives in response to questions from DA MP Alexandra Abrahams.

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Addressing the Medical Assessment Backlog

Minister Zulu acknowledged the existence of a backlog in medical assessments for disability grants in the Western Cape.

This backlog encompasses individuals seeking disability-related grants for the first time, as well as those reapplying after previous rejections and recipients of temporary disability grants.

Collaborative Agreements with Health Departments

To address the shortage of assessment doctors, Sassa Western Cape has entered into service level agreements with all districts of the provincial Department of Health.

These agreements aim to facilitate the provision of medical assessment services; however, their implementation has been impeded by the scarcity of qualified doctors and other health practitioners capable of conducting thorough medical assessments.

Tackling the Doctor Shortage

Alexandra Abrahams raised concerns about the shortage of assessment doctors, particularly in light of the fact that there were only 11 such doctors available in the province. She sought information regarding the measures undertaken by the department to address this shortage and the progress made in recruiting additional doctors.

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SASSA Procurement Process

Minister Zulu revealed that Sassa initiated a procurement process for independent health practitioners in July. They issued an advertisement for a three-year tender, with a closing date of July 14, 2023. This effort aims to bolster the number of assessment doctors available in the Western Cape.

Appointing Doctors to Expedite Assessments

Sassa Western Cape is currently in the process of awarding contracts to 14 successful bidders. These appointed doctors will be furnished with schedules to accelerate the medical assessment process, with a particular focus on areas experiencing a high demand for such assessments.

This move is expected to alleviate the backlog and enhance the efficiency of disability grant evaluations in the region.