Question NW3108 to the Minister of Social Development
13 October 2022 - NW3108
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) total number of assessment doctors who have been contracted by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) have been assigned to service the areas of (i) George, (ii) Riversdale, (iii) Knysna, (iv) Mossel Bay and (v) Plettenberg Bay as at 1 June 2022 and (b) is the number of (i) new and (ii) existing Sassa beneficiaries who are currently on the waiting list to see a Sassa-contracted assessment doctor in the specified areas?
Reply:
a) As of 1 June 2022, the WC Region had a total of 7 provincially Contracted assessors, who may be shifted across areas of need should they agree. The table below reflects the current distribution of contracted doctors servicing the areas of George, Rieversdale, Knysna, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay:
|
Service Area |
No. of Servicing Dr/s |
|
i) George |
1 |
|
ii) Riversdale |
1 |
|
iii) Knysna |
1 |
|
iv) Mossel Bay |
1 |
|
v) Plettenberg Bay |
1 |
(b) If a client is reapplying for a lapsed disability grant (usually a temporary grant which has lapsed), the application is treated as new. Unfortunately SASSA’s information system does not segregate booked clients as new applicants or active beneficiaries.
As of 20 September 2022 the number of clients awaiting an assessment, in the listed areas, is indicated in the table below:
|
Service Area |
Clients Awaiting Assessment |
|
i) George |
985 |
|
ii) Riversdale |
None |
|
iii)Knysna |
None |
|
iv) Mossel Bay |
747 |
|
v) Plettenberg Bay |
None |
|
Total |
1 732 |