When we think about social support and the grant system, we often focus mainly on our own country. But there’s a lot we can learn by looking at how other nations or countries help their citizens.
One best examples that might surprise you is South Africa. While the country faces plenty of its own challenges, its social grant system, run by the South African Social Security Agency, or SASSA, under the current government supervision, offers some valuable insights. And yes, even the U.S., with its more developed infrastructure, can take a few notes.
As this gov agency is only operating locally for locals in South Africa, but there is a lot more to learn from this, lets look.
SASSA is a government agency that manages social grants locally in South Africa. These grants are meant to support people who are struggling meet their ends, whether because of age, disability, unemployment, or other tough situations causing this.
Millions of South Africans rely on these monthly payments to cover the basics like food, rent, and transportation, but its good thing is it have designed its support system to cater all types of people facing difficulties, from jobless to temporary disabled people.
There are different types of grants under SASSA. Seniors get old age pensions while families receive child support grants, and people with disabilities get financial assistance too.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SASSA even introduced a special grant for unemployed individuals who weren’t receiving any other kind of support. That emergency grant helped a lot of people survive those tough months and has continued in various forms due to ongoing need.
You might be wondering why the U.S. would ever want to look to South Africa for some amazing ideas. The truth is, while South Africa has a smaller economy and more limited resources, its social grant system is often more direct and accessible than some U.S. programs.
One of the things SASSA does well is keeping things simple and handy. Most grants are paid monthly, directly into recipients' bank accounts or through approved pay points. People don’t have to jump through endless hoops or deal with five different agencies just to get help. In many cases, the requirements are clear, and the application process, while not perfect, is more centralized than what you often see in the U.S system.
Over the past few years, SASSA has expanded its digital services. People can check their grant status online, apply for certain grants through a website, and get text message updates. These small improvements make a huge difference, especially in a country where many people live in rural areas or don’t have easy access to government offices of sometimes to handy digital services.
Compare that to the U.S., where navigating federal benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, or Social Security can feel like walking through a maze. Each program has its own rules, paperwork, and application process. For someone in need, this can be overwhelming. Sometimes, the system itself becomes a barrier.
First, the U.S. could look into streamlining its benefit programs. Instead of having separate agencies with different forms and eligibility rules, a more centralized approach could reduce confusion and help people access aid faster. South Africa doesn’t get it perfect, far from it, but the idea of one agency handling most grants helps create a smoother experience for recipients.
Second, making digital tools more handy, accessible, and more user-friendly is a key to success in any type of organization. While the U.S. has started moving toward online portals, many of them are clunky or hard to use. SASSA’s system is designed to work on basic mobile phones, which is a smart move in a world where not everyone has a computer. Designing digital services with the most vulnerable users in mind, not just the tech-savvy ones, should be a bigger priority in the U.S.
Third, the U.S. could consider introducing or expanding cash-based support for people who fall through the cracks. SASSA’s COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant was launched quickly and helped millions. It wasn’t a lot of money, but it was something. In the U.S., many people who weren’t eligible for unemployment benefits during the pandemic had a much harder time getting support. A similar emergency grant, ready to go in times of crisis, could make a big difference.
Things aren’t concluded here, the SASSA has even made WhatsApp services for people who are below the literacy rate or have no digital literacy, this informal handy support system through WhatsApp even makes low literacy people to access services online by just clicking to some ready-made buttons in the WhatsApp chat.
Every country has its own systems, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to poverty. Still, it’s worth looking around and seeing what others are doing. South Africa’s SASSA program isn’t perfect, but it shows how even a country with limited resources can provide meaningful, accessible support to its people. If the U.S. took a few pages from SASSA’s playbook , by simplifying access, using technology wisely, and responding quickly in times of need , we could make our own safety net stronger and more compassionate.
