"WE SUFFER ON SASSA'

Pensioners demand a bigger grant from SA govt

- BY KIM SWARTZ

BY THE middle of every month, the money is already gone.

For pensioners and families caring for loved ones with disabilities, surviving on social grants has become an increasingly difficult task as the cost of living continues to rise.

Moutie Abrahams, 64, from Surrey Estate said that his R2 130 pension usually runs out by the 20th of every month, with his biggest bill being his municipal account.

The former motor mechanic explained that he uses R100 for data, R1 000 for petrol, R600 for living expenses and R500 for electricity. When times get tough and he is left with little to spare he seeks financial assistance from his children.

Abrahams said: “Living on a pension makes me feel very low, because when friends say let’s go here or there we as pensioners first have to see what expenses we have left, so we rather stay home to save embarrassment.

“If I could speak directly to the government, I would actually tell them that we as pensioners deserve more.

“Also Sassa should do a more detailed study on who should get what as there are those people that receive pension that are still working.”

Meanwhile, Shamiel Abbass, 62, from Woodstock described a normal month for him as a pensioner as tough.

Abbass said: “If I get my pension today then I have to stretch it out for the rest of the month which is impossible.

“You can’t stretch R2 000, it’s impossible. Pension day is the only day you can buy one or two luxury items for yourself — otherwise, no ways. With the cost of living, the food items, for us as pensioners it is very difficult.”

Luckily for the community activist, he can rely on his sister or his son wanneer die geld op is.