Sassa beneficiaries are urged to collect their new cards
There are, however, over 99 000 beneficiaries who have not yet presented themselves at a Sassa or post office to collect their new cards.
SOUTH AFRICA Social Security Agency (Sassa) completed the switch-over to its new gold card in December 2018 and managed to swap over seven million old cards for its new card.
The rest have filled in the bank transfer form and receive their grants directly through their private bank accounts. Over 12 million beneficiaries receive social grants in South Africa.
There are, however, over 99 000 beneficiaries who have not yet presented themselves at a Sassa or post office to collect their new cards.
“This is quite concerning, given the fact that failure to collect the new Sassa card on time is to deny yourself a constitutional right to social security. We once more urge our beneficiaries to visit our offices and collect their cards so that they can be able to provide for their families and especially children,” said Abraham Mahlangu, Sassa acting CEO.
Sassa and post office employees have gone an extra mile and conducted home visits on request to beneficiaries who are unable to visit the offices due to ill health. This step was taken by the government as part of intensifying its war against poverty to ensure that no deserving inhabitant of South Africa goes to bed hungry.
Social grants have to be collected every month and the law discourages non-collection for three consecutive months.
Beneficiaries are requested to report to Sassa if their economic conditions change so that their grants can be cancelled and Sassa can open access to other poor people standing in the queue.
Beneficiaries are urged to report to Sassa in person or call its toll free number 080 060 1011 if they need any assistance in collecting their new card. The public is also urged to report any cases of fraud related to grants (Sassa will protect their identities).
Issued on behalf of Sassa by spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.
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