Quantum Assessment Continued

The Sincephetelo MVA Fund provides financial compensation to dependents through a Quantum Assessment for loss of support, calculated based on the deceased’s proven income and age, as well as the dependents’ ages, but only if the deceased was not at fault for the accident; this lump sum covers both past and future support, extending for children until 18 or proven tertiary education and for adults over the remainder of the breadwinner’s expected lifespan. For informally employed individuals like marketers or freelance labourers, the Fund requires alternative evidence, such as bank statements, client affidavits, or invoices, to establish a fair value for the deceased’s income and ensure their dependents receive a rightful assessment. This evidence is confirmed through an internal investigation before it is endorsed for use to compute the loss of support or loss of earnings.

Additionally, the Fund offers a separate payment for reasonable funeral expenses, up to a maximum of E10,000, to alleviate that financial burden. The loss of support benefit is distributed annually during the beginning of each year directly to the proven legal dependents for claims involving minors or persons of unsound mind, and directly to the beneficiaries for major dependents. An exercise of verification for proof of life for the major beneficiaries is done at the Ministry of Home Affairs, whereas that for minor’s claims, our Social Welfare unit under Case Management verifies the proof of life and livelihood of the minors before payments are made to prevent fraud.