Parents of Disabled Children Struggle Amid Insufficient Support from Sassa's Care Dependency Grant

In South Africa, parents of children with disabilities are grappling with the challenges of inadequate financial assistance and rising living costs. The R2,400 Care Dependency Grant, intended to provide crucial support, often falls short, leaving families like that of Cleone Tigerls and Christina Mafunda feeling overwhelmed.

Desperate Times for Caregivers

Cleone Tigerls, a mother of three from Eldorado Park, shares the heartbreaking reality of caring for her daughter Lamisha, who is now 13 and lives with severe disabilities due to complications from meningitis. Despite receiving the Care Dependency Grant and additional Child Support Grant for her younger children, Tigerls finds it nearly impossible to manage the costs associated with Lamisha’s care.

With the monthly transport cost for Lamisha’s special needs school consuming half of the grant, Tigerls is often forced to choose between essential expenses like nutritious food and medical needs. "The Sassa grant doesn’t cover the whole month," she explains, revealing the ongoing struggle to make ends meet.

Challenges Faced by Other Families

Similarly, Christina Mafunda, from Marikana, faces her own battles as the mother of a daughter with Down’s syndrome. With limited employment opportunities, Mafunda struggles to afford regular clinic visits for her daughter, who is currently suffering from an eye infection. "I hope to buy more medicine once the next grant payment comes through," she stated, highlighting the precarious situation many families find themselves in.

Both mothers emphasize the urgent need for better support systems. The lack of accessible public services and educational resources leaves them feeling lost and unsupported. “I don’t know who to turn to,” Tigerls lamented, calling for more prioritization and assistance for families with special needs children.

Experts Weigh In on Systemic Issues

Researchers and advocates, including Zara Trafford from Stellenbosch University, point out that the Care Dependency Grant often fails to meet the diverse needs of families, as it is not designed to cater to all requirements of children with disabilities. Trafford notes that each family's situation is unique, and the one-size-fits-all approach does not suffice.

Therina Wentzel from the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities echoes this sentiment, advocating for better training for Sassa staff to ensure dignity and proper attention for parents navigating these challenging systems. “We can’t expect the government to have solutions for everything, but there should be more budget allocated for the most vulnerable,” she urged.

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za