Sassa’s R350 grant applicants urged to RICA cellphones

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) urged beneficiaries to ensure their cellphone and banking details are up to date to electronically receive the Covid-19 Social relief of distress (SRD) grant.

Sassa took to its Facebook page to share the crucial information.

“Applicants of the special Covid-19 SRD grant should please ensure that the cellphone number they use has gone through the RICA process if they choose to be paid through cardless banking at an ATM,” read the post. 

“If they choose to be paid through their bank accounts, they must ensure that the bank account provided is registered in their name.” continued the post.

This crucial detail will assist the client when they attempt to withdraw the grant at a merchant as till PINS are sent to the cellphone numbers provided when the grant was applied for.

Last week, Sassa KZN’s spokesperson, Sandy Godlwana, announced that about 1.5 million applicants chose to be paid through the cardless payment channel at ATMs.

“Clients, who have received the R350 grant through their SASSA card, are advised not to collect at the post office, but access the money at merchants or ATMs. These clients are reminded that they can also use the card to pay for purchases, not only to withdraw cash,” said Godlwana

Godlwana said clients whose grants have been approved and are paid through the SA Post Office needed to wait for a SMS notification. The information in the SMS will include the location and date the SRD grant can be collected.