HIV AND SOCIAL ISSUES
The South African government accepts that it has a responsibility to care for those who are too young, sick, old or injured to look after themselves. In such cases, government will provide social support, where possible. This support is called social assistance. Social assistance and social insurance make up social security.
There are different kinds of assistance available to people who need help. Non-governmental welfare organisations (NGOs) give support such as food, items of clothing or emergency housing. Find out which organisations operate in your area.
Can people with HIV and AIDS get a disability grant?
A disability grant is only given to someone who is unable to work, so you cannot automatically qualify for a grant if you are HIV positive. If you are unemployed but are still fit for work, you are not eligible for a grant.
The present policy of the Department of Welfare is to only provide benefits to a person with HIV if:
- his/her CD4 count is below 200
- he/she has a major opportunistic infection.
This policy can be challenged if a person living with HIV does not meet these conditions, but is still unable to support him/herself.
Child support grant
You can be paid this grant if you are the primary caregiver of one or more children. The children do not have to be related to you, but you must be the person who looks after them and sees to their everyday wellbeing.
Foster care grant
You can be paid this grant if a child who is not your biological child is placed in your care by the Child Welfare Court.
Reference
METROPOLITAN FOUNDATION. 2009. B the Future cellbook. South Africa.