According to results from a study of the Well-being Economic Research team of the University of Johannesburg, households in the highest income groups claim grants that are meant for the poor.

How is it possible that the highest income quintile households can access grants aimed at the poor? Well it is possible. Think about it this way, to qualify for most of the grants, an individual or married couple must pass the means test. Given that the means test is based on a certain level of income or assets of an individual it is likely that a household member can earn an income below the means test even though he/she is a member of a household that earns an income in the top 20 percent of households.

Is it fair? Is it illegal? Does it not defeat the purpose of a Social Welfare System?

Title: [• Prof. (Ms)]
Name: [• Talita Greyling ]
Position at organisation: [• Wellbeing Economist at UJ AND Vice President of the International Society of Quality of Life Studies]