Road accident bill open for comment

ROAD accident victims will no longer receive a lump sum payout under the Road Accident Benefit Scheme.

The RABS, which is set to replace the Road Accident Fund, will divide the payment into monthly stipends and offer medical services and a funeral benefit in the event of death.

The revised RABS bill was published last month and is open for public comment until July 8.

The new bill stipulates that a funeral benefit of R10000 will be paid to family members of the deceased when a death certificate is provided. An amount of R219820 will be divided into a monthly stipend only if the victims prove income of less than R250000 per annum.

Changes in the new bill include that someone receiving an SA Social Security Agency grant will have the grant discontinued if claiming from the RABS. – Rea Khoabane