Spouse Earns But Won’t Support You?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offers different social grants to help vulnerable groups. Nonetheless, these grants are means-tested, which means eligibility depends partially on your household earnings. This can create difficulties when one partner earns money but doesn’t financially support their significant other. If you’re refused a SASSA grant due to your spouse’s income, here are some steps you might take.

Understanding SASSA’s Means Test for Grants

SASSA manages social grants such as disability, care dependency, and older persons grants. To qualify, your overall household earnings must be below a specific limit. This includes money earned by a spouse or life partner, even if they don’t contribute to your everyday living expenses.

Unfortunately, SASSA doesn’t consider personal situations. Your spouse’s income is automatically considered when determining grant eligibility, irrespective of whether they contribute to your needs. This stringent means test aims to ensure grants are allocated to households genuinely in need.

While frustrating, SASSA doesn’t make exceptions for non-supportive partners. Failing to declare a spouse’s income might be considered fraud and result in severe penalties. However, you may have options to seek help.

Attempting to Resolve Issues Within the Family

If your partner earns but doesn’t contribute to household expenses or support your needs, the first step could involve resolving this within your family. Some suggestions include:

  • Talking openly and honestly about your financial and care requirements. Provide specific instances of how their lack of support affects you.
  • Arranging a family meeting with elders such as parents or other family members. They may encourage your spouse or partner to fulfill their responsibilities.
  • Involving trusted friends, religious leaders, or community elders as mediators to facilitate discussions and suggest solutions.

Seeking External Help for Marital Problems

If efforts within the family fail to address a non-supportive spouse issue, seeking assistance from trained professionals might be the next step. Organizations like FAMSA (Families South Africa) provide relevant services, including:

  • Marriage counseling to identify issues in the relationship and determine positive ways forward.
  • Mediation involving a neutral third party to negotiate a workable solution.
  • Support groups connecting individuals facing similar marital challenges for mutual advice and support.
  • Referrals to social workers, legal advisors, or women’s shelters if necessary.

There are 28 registered FAMSA offices across South Africa that assist families from all backgrounds. Fees are based on a sliding scale according to income.

Additionally, many religious leaders such as pastors, rabbis, and imams offer counseling to couples within their communities. Seeking their guidance could also help resolve domestic issues affecting your well-being and access to financial support.

Exploring Alternate Sources of Income and Aid

If your spouse still refuses to provide adequate support despite interventions, exploring other potential income sources or aid may become necessary. Some options to discuss with a social worker or financial advisor include:

  • Applying for community-based assistance such as food parcels or clothing donations.
  • Claiming UIF if you previously worked and made contributions.
  • Checking if you qualify for any Covid-19 relief funds that SASSA may administer.
  • Asking extended family members for financial assistance.

Though not always easy to obtain, exploring every possible income stream could help supplement what you lack from an unsupportive spouse. As a last resort, legal separation may also be an option.

Conclusion

Being denied a SASSA grant due to a spouse’s non-contributory income can adversely affect your quality of life. However, options exist to potentially resolve the situation through family mediation, counseling, income supplementation, or legal separation. Seeking expert assistance can help safeguard your well-being and financial security.