Cape Town - As scores of people anticipated receiving their social grants this week, the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) has assured beneficiaries it is on track to disburse the January 2023 grant payments, starting on Tuesday.
This comes after Sassa was beset with payment issues in 2022, including technical issues, gold cards not working, administrative challenges and Sassa office closures.
Sassa has also been failing to meet payment deadlines for the R350 Covid-19 social relief of distress grant.
Today, older person grants were expected to be paid first, followed by disability grants tomorrow and child support grants on Thursday.
Western Cape acting regional executive manager Annelize Bester said all Sassa offices in the province would be operational from today.
“Payment teams will be monitoring payments at post offices and refer clients to the available payment options, if required.
“Payment concerns are shared on a Western Cape grants communications platform and monitored. Any concerns regarding payments can also be directed to the Western Cape call centre at 021 469 0235,” said Bester.
Acting Sassa national spokesperson Moabi Pitsi urged beneficiaries to use other ways to access their funds, including retailers and ATMs. “Social grant clients with the Sassa gold card can use it at outlets nationwide of Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay and Boxer.”
Beneficiaries have been urged to make use of other ways to access their funds, including the use of retailers and ATMs.
“Furthermore, Sassa continues to warn beneficiaries to remain vigilant of misleading information, criminals and scammers as the festive season draws to a close. During grant payment days, there are a lot of transactions that clients make to meet their various needs,” said Pitsi.
Pitsi urged Sassa applicants of the Covid social relief of distress grant of R350 to check and update, on the online platform, their banking details when required.
“Sassa will keenly monitor the January payments to stick to paying the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place.”