SASSA has reintroduced an appointment system at its Bellville, Cape Town, office to reduce long queues and improve access for disability grant applicants.
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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Western Cape has introduced several measures to address increased demand for services at its Bellville office.
The agency said the office has recently experienced a surge in beneficiaries seeking assistance, particularly those requesting disability grant bookings and assessments. As reported by IOL.
To manage the pressure, SASSA has implemented a series of interventions aimed at improving access to services and reducing congestion.
The agency said it has reinstated an appointment-based system at the Bellville office to ensure more orderly service delivery.
"Clients who cannot be assisted on the day are issued with confirmed appointments to return on a specific date, thereby reducing the need for beneficiaries to queue overnight," SASSA said.
In addition, officials have been deployed to various health facilities to assist beneficiaries in completing disability grant applications immediately after their medical assessments.
The move is intended to reduce the number of people visiting the Bellville office and allow parts of the process to be completed closer to beneficiaries’ homes.
"This intervention allows clients to complete part of the application process closer to their communities and reduces pressure on the Bellville office," the agency said.
SASSA is also expanding its network of service points. A temporary site in Delft is awaiting approval and, once operational, is expected to improve access for beneficiaries in the area.
"Once operational, this site will provide services to beneficiaries in Delft and nearby areas," SASSA added.
The agency said it has arranged additional outreach service days to accommodate clients who could not be assisted during peak periods.
These outreach initiatives, conducted in partnership with local stakeholders, are aimed at easing pressure on the main office.
SASSA reiterated that it is a nonpartisan public institution and emphasized its commitment to serving beneficiaries without political interference.
"While the agency respects the constitutional rights of individuals and organisations to express their views, SASSA strongly discourages the politicisation of social assistance services or the use of vulnerable beneficiaries to advance political agendas," the agency said.
Beneficiaries were urged to rely on official communication channels for accurate information regarding services and operations.
Despite the high demand, SASSA said the Bellville office continues to assist hundreds of clients daily.
"SASSA Western Cape will continue to monitor service pressures across the Metro District and implement further operational improvements where necessary to ensure that beneficiaries receive a timely and dignified service," it said.
SASSA also called on stakeholders to allow the interventions to take effect, saying the measures are designed to address challenges faced by beneficiaries at the Bellville office.
SATURDAY STAR