Chairperson, the response to Question 31 is that, yes, such spouses should ideally receive a social grant in their own right. However, the current means test focuses on the poorest of the poor, and the income of the spouse is generally considered in the application for a social grant. Ironically, the foster child grant is the only grant where the means test is not applied, since it is not a poverty alleviation grant.
Going forward, the interministerial committee on social security is considering the gradual removal of the means test so that, in future, neither the income of the applicant nor that of the spouse is taken into consideration for the old age grant because we are trying to ensure that the means test is only removed on the old age grant.
I think we all know that in Polokwane we took a decision that there should be comprehensive social security, and this is the process of ensuring that this is part of a comprehensive social security. Once a policy decision is made by Cabinet on the gradual removal of the means test for the older person's grant the details of the implementation will be announced. Lastly, the interministerial committee will deliberate on the matter soon and will provide relevant details in due course.
Measures to ensure proper allocation of social relief or distress grants
38. Mr S P Plaatjie (COPE) asked the Minister of Social Development:
(1) How does she ensure that the allocation of social relief or distress grants benefit households and/or individuals facing hardship;
(2) whether there are any conditions or qualifying criteria designed to protect these funds from any form of abuse?