Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of the programme is to provide social relief of distress to vulnerable individuals and families who are experiencing difficulties (hardship) and those affected by natural and unnatural disasters. All applications are based on a detailed assessment of the individuals or families circumstances by a social worker or social auxiliary worker.
The provision of social relief is a temporary intervention to provide in the basic and immediate needs of families who are in distress.
The key performance indicators indicate the number of social relief applications approved and number of individuals who benefitted from social relief programs which reflect both the need for the service and the actual number who received the service. A comparison can be made in districts of how the numbers compare to the set targets and what were the achievements or the challenges. The rand value of social relief paid to beneficiaries as a key performance indicator provides the budgetary implications which can be compared amongst the various districts.

Policy Mandates
    Social assistance Act 13 of 2004
    Provincial Guidelines on Social Relief of Distress for vulnerable individual families.

Situational Analysis
Due to the economic meltdown in the Province families are finding it difficult to meet there basic needs. The situation can cause numerous social problems eg. Malnutrition, school dropouts, etc which can have  a serious effect on the preservation of families and communities. Due to climate conditions or hazards families are also neurotically affected by disasters.
The provision of social relief is a temporary form of intervention to meet the basic needs of families and therefore it is important that other Departments and Local Government should ensure that there are developmental services/programmes to prevent dependency and promote sustainability.
Due to the poverty levels in the Province there is currently a lot of pressure on the programme and especially to provide burial assistance which is not part of the policy mandates. The aim of the  Balelapa  and War on Poverty programme  is  to profile poor families and expectations are raised in communities that  they will receive social relief.

Analysis of constraints and measures planned to overcome them
No coordinated provincial plan on social relief  of distress to promote uniformity and strengthening  the safety net for  vulnerable families. A provincial workshop is planned to develop a plan and promote intersectoral cooperation-Is this  still relevant because the workshop is planned for this financial year.

Description of planned quality improvement measures

    Improved co-operation with SASSA and FBO`s, Departments and Local Government.
    Support to families
    Referrals to other Departments and organizations

Resource Consideration

Risk Management
    Shortage  of social workers  and social auxiliary workers  in all areas to conduct assessments.
    Overspending if the needs outnumbers the budget