The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has advised grant recipients to use other payment methods because of “cash challenges” at pay points and the Post Office (SAPO).
The Agency made the announcement in a statement on Thursday (12 May).
Cash challenges at SASSA pay points, Post Office
“SASSA regrets to confirm that as from 11 May 2022, the cash pay points at which social grant clients normally access their social grant funding, will not be serviced – as a result of challenges beyond SASSA’s control,” it said.
“This challenge is extended to Post Office outlets as well, so clients are advised not to go to any Post Office branch to try to access the funds. SASSA is currently implementing contingency measures where both SASSA and SAPO staff are present at the pay points, and are assisting all clients to receive PINs so that they can transact at the nearest retail outlets and bank ATMs.
“Furthermore, SASSA staff continue to assist affected clients to access services and ensuring that correct information is provided to clients.”
The Agency also reminded grant recipients that they can use their SASSA/SAPO card at any retail outlet or bank ATM across the country. They can withdraw cash or use the cards at tills to make purchases.
R350 SRD grant beneficiaries
SASSA further advised R350 SRD grant beneficiaries not to visit SAPO branches to access their uncollected funds. It urged those who had selected SAPO as their payment option to visit the SRD application website and choose a retail outlet instead.
The retail outlets include Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay and Boxer. “When reporting to a merchant to access the funds, clients must have their Identity Document [and] cellphone they registered when applying for the grant because the OTP number will be sent to this registered number,” SASSA said.
“All applicants for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant are encouraged to update their details on the system, to have the grant paid into their own personal bank account, as this is the safest way in which to receive the funds.”
SAPO announced earlier this week that it will no longer pay SRD grants at its branches. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed the decision, threatening legal action if it is not reversed.
“The insistence by SAPO that its decision to stop paying the social relief grant at its branches will help ‘alleviate long queues’ is not good enough,” DA MPs Solly Malatsi and Bridgette Masango said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The DA will leverage all the parliamentary channels to oppose this move and if needs be, we will pursue legal action.”