Social grants hiked by R10. SASSA clarifies distribution confusion
Until the 'black card' rollout is completed, SASSA gold cards remain valid.
A South African Social Security Agency office in Pretoria. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
SASSA National Spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi joins Africa Melane.
Listen below.
The government spends about R250 billion annually on SASSA grants, an essential lifeline for millions of South Africans.
The country's various grants increased by R10 in October.
Accessing SASSA funds is often frustrating and confusing for recipients.
Beneficiaries can receive their payments from certain supermarkets, including Pick n Pay, Checkers and Shoprite, or by getting the amount directly transferred into their bank account.
Recently, as part of a nationwide move to revolutionise SASSA payments, Postbank has begun to replace SASSA gold cards with new black cards.
"Those [GOLD] cards are still valid as we speak, however the PostBank is in communcation with the clients who are hosting the Gold SASSA card. However, they have not [yet] rolled out the process of doing the card swop. They are doing the pilot."
- Paseka Letsatsi, National spokesperson - SASSA
"If they have not been to your province yet, the card which you are using is still valid to withdraw your money."
- Paseka Letsatsi, National spokesperson - SASSA
Earlier this month, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for urgent clarification from the Department of Social Development as to the recent changes in the distribution of SASSA grants.
"Recent changes in the distribution of SASSA grants are causing significant distress among beneficiaries, particularly older persons... This lack of information has left vulnerable individuals uncertain about how to access their grants," the DA said.
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