‘SASSA grants will be paid out’ – Social Development Department
The Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini has assured grants beneficiaries that all is on track for the grant payout on 1 April.
AFTER feelings of anxiety and fear from grants beneficiaries and arguments from political parties, the Department of Social Development and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) released a press statement to inform South Africans especially social grants recipients, that all is on track for the payment of grants from 1 April 2017. This following the recent social grants crisis that has gripped the nation.
The Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, reassured all qualifying beneficiaries that they will receive their money as per normal.
“As recipients of social grants are aware, our payments are made at various channels including merchants, Points of Sale, banks, ATMs and SASSA pay points.”
“Considering that 1 April 2017 is a Saturday and for this reason, as in all occasions when the grant payment date falls over a weekend, SASSA pay points will not open. Special focus and provision will be made for the busiest merchants and ATMs around the country and regional executive,” said Dlamini.
Managers will be deployed to monitor and assist beneficiaries with enquiries.
On April 3, SASSA pay points will operate as normal and recipients are encouraged to go on their respective days to the respective pay points as indicated on the slips they received last month.
Teams of managers will also be deployed to provide assistance at the pay points.
Social Development & #SASSA wishes to inform SAns especially social grants recipients, that all is on track for grants payment from 1 April
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 27, 2017
Measures in place as of April 1, 2017
– The SASSA call centre will be opened to assist beneficiaries with all enquiries. The contact number is 0800 60 10 11.
– Senior officials will be deployed at the call centre to make sure that all enquiries are attended to.
– Officials will also be on standby to receive calls that may come through the switchboard.
– Arrangements have been made to ensure that SOCPEN is available for investigation and verification of the status of the grants applications.
– A letter to the National Police Commissioner has been sent out for a request to increase police visibility across the country.
The Department emphasises that normal business processes will continue, so any form of lapsing or suspensions that may occur may not imply a failure to pay by SASSA.
The Minister wishes to reiterate her unreserved apology for the anxiety and fear caused about the uncertainty around the payment of social grants.
She also expressed her gratitude in advance for the patience and cooperation of South Africa especially the beneficiaries of social grants.
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