It’s that time of the month when social grant beneficiaries need to know the SASSA payment dates for March 2022 for normal grants, including the old age pension.
Knowing the pay days in advance allows beneficiaries to make their financial plans in time for the new month. Fortunately, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) always has a schedule in this regard.
SASSA payment dates for March 2022
According to the official schedule, the SASSA payment dates for March 2022, including for old age pension grant, are as follows:
- 3 March – Older Persons Pension Grant.
- 4 March – Disability Grants.
- 7 March – all other grants.
The Agency reserves the first week of each month to pay the normal grants. It then starts paying social relief of distress (SRD) grant recipients immediately afterwards.
This allows the Agency to organise the pay days better throughout the month and to avoid overcrowding at various pay points, which include ATMs, Post Offices and retail outlets.
Some beneficiaries have however pointed out that it would be better if the payment dates were on the 1st of the month, especially for the elderly and people living with disability.
‘Protecting the vulnerable’
In response to one such concern, SASSA replied on Twitter recently, “This is our contribution to maintaining social distance and protecting the vulnerable from congestion at payment facilities.
“We humbly request beneficiaries to make adjustments with their creditors and budgets generally – it was a hard decision to take but circumstances forced us to take it.”
Given the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, it is still important to observe health protocols when visiting payment facilities to collect your grant. Such protocols include hand sanitising and social distancing.
Meanwhile, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and reply to the debate afterwards, President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged that the government will continue expanding social support for the unemployed.
“Without monthly grants for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, many people in South Africa would face destitution,” he explained.
“We know that grants have provided an effective system for income redistribution and poverty alleviation in a society with unacceptable levels of inequality.”