Asked to complete HANIS verification? Here’s what you need to know - IOL

HANIS is a Department of Home Affairs system used to verify a person's identity using biometric information such as fingerprints, alongside information held by Home Affairs.

For many older South Africans, a request to complete the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS) verification can be confusing, especially when it comes after a problem with a SASSA grant or a failed biometric check.

HANIS is a Department of Home Affairs system used to verify a person's identity using biometric information such as fingerprints, alongside information held by Home Affairs.

The system has long been used for identity verification, including by financial institutions and government services.

HANIS verification is a way of checking that you are the person linked to your identity information, and your biometric information can be checked against Home Affairs records. The purpose is to prevent identity fraud and ensure that services are linked to the correct person.

This is especially important when dealing with social grants.

SASSA has previously said biometric verification strengthens identity authentication for grant applications and reviews and helps prevent identity theft, duplicate claims and other forms of fraud.

Home Affairs also uses biometric enrolment and verification through systems including HANIS, the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and the National Population Register to help identify suspected fraudulent identity documents.

A HANIS verification may become necessary when there is a problem confirming a beneficiary's identity.

For example, a person could have difficulty completing a biometric verification through SASSA, or there could be an issue matching their information to Home Affairs records.

Elderly beneficiaries could also experience difficulties with fingerprint verification, where fingerprints are difficult for biometric equipment to capture.

This does not automatically mean that the person has done anything wrong. A failed biometric check simply means that the system has not completed the required verification. 

It is important to note that being asked to complete HANIS verification does not by itself mean that a person has been accused of fraud.

It is an identity-checking process designed to establish that the person's identity information and biometric information correspond with Home Affairs records.

For elderly beneficiaries, especially those struggling with fingerprints or mobility, it is important to ask officials exactly what verification is outstanding and what the next step is before making repeated trips to government offices.

SASSA's official older person's grant guidance confirms that the grant is available to qualifying people aged 60 and older, and that the application and grant services themselves are free.

Fingerprints can become more difficult for biometric equipment to read as people get older.

Years of manual work, wear and changes to the skin can affect the clarity of fingerprints. A technical failure can also occur because of the scanner or the conditions in which the fingerprint is captured.

This is why a failed fingerprint attempt should not necessarily be interpreted as a failed identity verification.

This is one of the biggest concerns for elderly people who have already experienced failed biometric checks.

If fingerprints cannot be successfully captured, explain the problem to the Home Affairs official rather than simply continuing to return for repeated attempts without knowing why the verification is failing.

Recent reporting has highlighted cases where elderly residents have struggled with fingerprint verification and had to make repeated visits.

The appropriate next step will depend on the individual circumstances and what information Home Affairs has on record.

Take your valid identity document and any reference numbers, letters or documentation you received from SASSA or the department that referred you.

Keep copies of important documents and ask for proof of any visit or submission where possible.

SASSA's official guidance states that where a person is too old or sick to travel to an office to apply for an older person's grant, a family member or friend can apply on their behalf, provided the required letter and, where applicable, a doctor's note explaining why the person cannot attend are supplied.

SASSA has also said that beneficiaries who are unable to visit an office can, in applicable circumstances, have a procurator represent them.

However, HANIS verification is an identity process, so families should first confirm with Home Affairs or SASSA what arrangement applies to the specific case rather than assuming that someone else can complete the biometric verification on the beneficiary's behalf.

No. A grant review is about checking whether a beneficiary still qualifies for their grant. This can involve checking identity, income, assets, marital status and other circumstances.

On the other hand, HANIS verification concerns identity verification. But the two processes can overlap because identity verification may form part of a grant review.

SASSA has advised beneficiaries whose grants have been selected for review to take documents including a valid ID, proof of income, three months of bank statements and proof of residence, depending on their circumstances.