New verification system for social grants
Phase one will target 388 000 beneficiaries who were sent an SMS message in January
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is calling on all social grant beneficiaries using PIN codes to access their social grants to undergo proof of life certification.
This certification is done biometrically using voice activation.
In other words, if you receive your grant through the use of a PIN number at an ATM or store without fingerprint readers, SASSA needs to record a copy of your voice on its system.
This is performed by dialing the phone numbers below. If you use a PIN, proof of life certification must be completed once every month before a social grant can be accessed via a PIN number.
Activation will be conducted in two phases.
Phase one will target 388 000 beneficiaries who were sent an SMS message in January.
These are the only people at the moment invited to call at this stage. Residents may call as soon as they receive the SMS message.
Phase two starts in March and involves all other beneficiaries who were not sent an SMS message in January, but who are also using a PIN number to access their grants.
The phone numbers to call for voice activation are:
0860 690 717 if calling from a Telkom line, cellular phone or a public phone
082 1277 for free if residents are using the starter pack issued during grant re-registration.
These free starter packs can still be obtained from SASSA offices.
