Sassa to pay grants earlier due to Covid-19

Social grant beneficiaries will be paid earlier as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) said it would pay grants to older persons and persons with disabilities on 30 and 31 March.

“The other beneficiaries will be able to access their grants from 1 April,” said Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.

Letsatsi said this was due to the state of national disaster announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa this month.

“Sassa has engaged with the relevant stakeholders – including the retail and banking sector and the consumer goods council, to determine a feasible approach to pay social grants earlier in order to avoid congestion at retail stores and other pay points,” said Letsatsi.

Social development minister Lindiwe Zulu said: “We are aware that the impact of Covid-19 will be felt much harder by the most vulnerable in society, especially the elderly”.

“Hence, we have decided for earlier payments for older persons and persons with disabilities to ease congestion and overcrowding.”

Zulu said the department would monitor all pay points, especially those in the rural areas and work with all MECs of social development and provincial and regional Sassa offices.

She said this was to ensure payments were distributed in line with the disaster management act provisions and that all the necessary precautions were in place.

She said that for other grant recipients, additional measures would be implemented to manage numbers at all pay points.

“This is to ensure that hygiene protocols for everyone are strictly followed and social distancing is maintained,” said Zulu.

Zulu said there is no need for beneficiaries to withdraw all their money at once or before a specific day of the month.

“Once the money is in your account, it will remain available anytime and anywhere as and when required.”

She said every beneficiary was also encouraged to use the facilities available like swiping to pay for purchases rather than withdraw cash.

“Sassa, together with its stakeholders is also looking at the feasibility of changing payment dates from the 1st to 5th of each month or the nearest working day, if the 5th falls on a weekend or public holiday,” Zulu said.

She said a change of behaviour amongst all South Africans was necessary and that everyone should practise the following hygiene protocols:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser;
• Cover the nose and mouth with tissue or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing; and
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold and flu-like symptoms.

Beneficiaries can contact Sassa on 0800-60-10-11 or via social media.