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Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Can I get South African citizenship by descent if I was born in another country?

Yes, but you may need to prove that you are the biological child of a South African citizen.

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I don't know my birth parents and Home Affairs keeps refusing me an ID. What can I do?

Home Affairs is supposed to let your adoptive parents help you apply. They should also tell you why your applications have been denied.

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Can I be evicted from the farm I have been living on for decades?

As a person living on a farm, you may be covered by the Extension of Security of Tenure Act of 1997.

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If I don't withdraw all the money from my SASSA grant, will the remainder be lost?

No, the money will not disappear, but SASSA says you need to withdraw some of the grant money within 90 days.

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How can I apply for a disability grant if I cannot get to the SASSA office?

You can ask a family member or friend to apply on your behalf. They must take a letter from you and a doctor's note saying why you can't visit the office yourself.

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Can I withdraw my entire pension from my preservation fund if I have not yet retired?

Yes, you can make a full or partial withdrawal before retirement, but you can only do so once.

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Why have I still not heard back from Home Affairs regarding my appeal for my rejected letter of good cause?

There is a huge backlog at Home Affairs, so the acting Director-General extended existing permits for those who applied or appealed before 20 November 2023.

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Can people living on a shared property apply for indigent support?

Different municipalities have their own policies. Check with yours and if you can apply, discuss installing a pre-paid meter with your landlord.

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Can I be denied a disability grant because I have orthopaedic or prosthetic device?

If your disability has been improved or corrected with assistive technology, you may no longer qualify for the grant.

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Can I get shared custody of my son if I was not named as the father on his birth certificate?

Yes, but only with the mother's permission can an application be made to the High Court.

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