NATIONAL NEWS - The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) announced on Wednesday 8 April that its grant pay-out schedule is going to change As from May 2020, disability grants and grants for older people will be paid on the 4th and all other grants on the 6th.
“Lessons learnt from the last payment cycle during the National lockdown have compelled Sassa to review the payment dates going forward,” said Sassa CEO Busisiwe Memela in a press release.
During the last cycle, payments were brought forward to 30 March and the first two days were dedicated to people with disabilities and older persons to ensure compliance with the State of Disaster requirements. However, impatient child support grant beneficiaries started descending on payment channels as early as 30 March.
“This posed all sorts of health challenges and it became difficult at some stores and ATMs to maintain social distancing.”
Sassa consulted with role players to find a way to ensure that people with disabilities and the aged will be protected from the month-end rush at payment outlets.
Together with National Treasury, the post office, the banking association, retailers, and the consumer goods council, it was decided that from May, Sassa will make use of two payment files. “The first one will cover the aged and the disabled while the second payment file will cover all other grant types,” said Memela.
Linked grants
Some older persons use one card to receive both their pension grants and grants for child support and foster care. “In such cases they will be able to access all linked grants from the 4th of every month,” said Sassa. “Once the money is in the account, it will remain there until it is needed.”
Grant money remains available
Sassa stressed that once money is deposited into recipients’ accounts, it is safe and will not be taken back if not withdrawn immediately. “There is no need to rush to withdraw cash on the first day we deposit it into your account,” it assured recipients.
It should also be noted that 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.
