Sassa grant payment dates changed
"People with disabilities and the aged need to be protected from the month-end rush at payment outlets."
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has changed its grant payment dates.
Sassa said as from May, disability and elderly grant beneficiaries would have their grants paid from the fourth day of the month.
“All other grants will be paid from the sixth of every month.”
Sassa said this change stemmed from “lessons learnt” from the previous payment cycle during the national lockdown.
It said these lessons compelled them to review the payment dates.
“The grant payment for April was brought forward to 30 March 2020. The first two days were dedicated to people with disabilities and older persons to ensure compliance with the state of disaster requirements.
“Impatient child support grant beneficiaries could not wait for the 1 April and descended upon payment channels as early as 30 March.”
Sassa said this posed all sorts of health challenges, and it became difficult at some stores and ATMs to maintain social distancing.
“There was also a nasty scene in a Dobsonville shopping centre in Soweto where a group of youngsters were captured on video pushing older people to access payment infrastructure first.”
READ MORE: Metro provides transportation for Sassa beneficiaries
Sassa said in response to this “unpleasant experience”, it started consulting role players such as the national treasury, South African post office, the banking association, retailers, and the consumer goods council among others.
“What came out of the consultations is that people with disabilities and the aged need to be protected from the month-end rush at payment outlets.
“Therefore, payment needs to be staggered in such a way that these categories of beneficiaries receive their grants before others.”
Sassa said in the upcoming month, it would use two payment files.
“The first one will cover the aged and the disabled, while the second payment file will cover all other grant types.”
It said some older beneficiaries used one card to also receive child support and foster child grants.
Sassa said these older beneficiaries would be able to access all linked grants from the fourth of every month.
It said once the money was in the account, it would remain there until it was needed.
“Money deposited into your account is safe and will not be taken back if not used. There is no need to rush to withdraw cash on the very day we deposit it into your account.
“The Sassa card can be used as a debit card to pay for purchases; therefore, it is not necessary to withdraw cash and thereafter purchase goods with the cash,” said Sassa CEO Busisiwe Memela.
READ MORE: Mbalula extends transport hours for Sassa beneficiaries
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