Question NW2602 to the Minister of Social Development
13 December 2021 - NW2602
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What are the reasons that a means test is used to determine rights to a disability grant (details furnished); (2) whether she has found that Foster Care Grants should be subject to a means test like the disability grants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, by what date will she introduce it?
Reply:
1. In terms of section 27 of our constitution, everyone is guaranteed the right of access to Social Security and “if needed”, social assistance. By its nature, social assistance in the form of social grants are only provided to those with low or no incomes to supplement their income. Hence, all the social grants, including the disability grant, are means tested on income; and in the case of grants for adults, on assets as well.
2. The Foster Child Grant (FCG) is slightly different from the other grants. In the case of foster care, the child is removed from their parent(s) or guardian(s) by the state and consequently is under the legal custody of the state. The maintenance of the child is thus the responsibility of the state. The state partners either with child care homes or individuals to assist, on temporary basis, with the care and protection of children in its custody, for which it provides either a subsidy (in the case of children’s homes) or a grant (in the case of person(s)