Sassa has declined about 2.8 million applications for the R350 Covid-19 unemployment grant which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April.
The special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant was set up to help unemployed mense during the pandemic for a period of up to six months.
The government said the grant would be paid to those older than 18 and who did not receive any income, NSFAS funding, social grants, UIF or any other form of payment.
Sassa said it had received 6.2 million applications, of which it had approved 3.2 million and had already paid out 1.2 million applicants to date.
This means the organisation declined applications from 2.8m people.
Sassa said a number of applicants who had been rejected had lodged grievances with the agency.
Sassa said it verified all applications with public and private databases to avoid “double dipping” .
It said the majority of rejected applications were of people who were found to be receiving UIF benefits.
“In this case the applicants are advised to contact the Department of Employment and Labour to either apply for UIF or follow up with their applications,” said Sassa.
Sassa chief executive Totsie Memela said the grant was not for everyone and was aware that it had become a source of unhappiness.
“Those who feel aggrieved should either call 0800 60 10 11
or email
with their complaints.
“Our aim is to pay the right grant to the right people,” Memela added.