Having Trouble with Affordability on Your ePayslip Portal? Here's What You Should Know.

Facing Affordability Issues on Your ePayslip Portal? Here’s What You Need to Understand

Many public workers have encountered issues with their ePayslip portal's affordability figure, displaying zero, negative, or a significantly lower amount than expected. 

This issue can cause concern and uncertainty, affecting financial planning and stability. Gaining a clear understanding of what affordability represents and the various factors that can influence it will empower you to address the problem efficiently, find a resolution, and move forward with confidence in managing your finances.

Gaining insight into how affordability is calculated and the key factors that influence it will enable you to better manage your salary deductions, anticipate potential issues, and avoid unexpected surprises, ultimately taking control of your financial planning.

What Is Affordability?

Affordability means the amount of your monthly salary remaining after mandatory deductions such as taxes, social security, and pension contributions. This balance is what the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) uses to decide the maximum amount you can commit toward loan repayments, insurance premiums, professional association fees, and other deductions.

Example.

Suppose your gross salary is GHS 3,500. After deductions like tax, SSNIT, loan repayments, and association dues, you’re left with GHS 1,900. That GHS 1,900 is your affordability. Any new loan or deduction must fit within this limit.

Understanding the Affordability Margin

The affordability margin is a small extra amount set aside from your total affordability to make sure you still have some take-home pay after deductions. This margin usually ranges from about 12 Ghana cedis up to 45 Ghana cedis depending on your payroll setup.

This small extra amount helps protect your salary from being fully used up by deductions so you have some money left for your daily expenses.

Why Does Affordability Sometimes Show as Zero or Negative?

Common causes include:

1.) Increment in Monthly Deductions

Some deductions such as professional association fees or insurance premiums increase annually. For instance, your monthly professional association fee might increase from GHS 18 to GHS 22. If your salary remains unchanged, your affordability decreases and may become negative.

2.) Delayed Salary Updates by CAGD

When your salary is adjusted due to a promotion or increment, the update may not reflect immediately on the ePayslip portal. This delay can cause your affordability to display outdated information, which may affect loan processing or give the impression that your funds are limited.

3.) Unauthorized Loan Deductions by Banks

If your salary is paid into a bank holding your loans, the bank might deduct payments directly without your prior approval. These deductions can reduce your affordability unexpectedly, making it harder for you to keep track of your available funds and causing delays in loan processing or other financial commitments.

4.) Applying for Multiple Loans at the Same Time

When you submit several loan applications simultaneously, the deductions for these loans may overlap while they are still being processed. This overlap can temporarily make your affordability appear fully used or even show a negative balance, which may delay approval of new loans and cause confusion about your actual available funds.

Steps You Can Take to Fix It

•Check the “Wrongful Deductions” Section

If you notice any strange or unexpected deductions on your payslip, visit the Wrongful Deductions section on your ePayslip portal. Some deductions may show up by mistake and could be corrected after a short time.

•Apply for One Loan at a Time

It’s best to apply for just one loan at a time and wait for approval before submitting another application. Applying for multiple loans simultaneously can confuse the system and make it difficult to accurately calculate your affordability. By waiting for one loan to be processed and approved, you give the system a chance to update your records correctly, which helps prevent delays and reduces the risk of your applications being rejected or delayed. This approach ensures smoother loan processing and better management of your salary deductions.

•Report Deductions You Don’t Know About

If you notice any deduction on your payslip that you did not agree to or authorize, it’s important to report it immediately through the ePayslip portal or by informing your HR officer directly. Acting quickly allows the responsible team to investigate and correct the mistake promptly, helping you avoid unnecessary financial strain or confusion. Reporting such issues without delay increases the chances of a fast resolution.

•Monitor Your Affordability Before Committing to New Loans

Before applying for any new loan, take time to review your current affordability status on the ePayslip portal. Knowing how much room you have helps you avoid requesting amounts beyond your limit, which could result in rejection or processing delays. Staying updated on your affordability ensures smoother financial planning and helps you make informed decisions.

Additional Tips to Protect Your Salary

•Regularly monitor your ePayslip to spot errors early.

•Keep your login credentials confidential.

•Stay updated on salary adjustments or payroll changes communicated by your employer or CAGD.

Understanding these points and acting accordingly will help you manage your salary deductions and avoid surprises on your ePayslip portal.