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The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has launched an online grant application portal which went live on Monday.
Social grant applicants can now apply for certain social grants online, which include the child support, older persons and foster child grants.
The agency said applications can be lodged on https://services.sassa.gov.za which is a secure website. After reviewing the system, other grants will also be added to the portal.
“This should be a relief to grant applicants as it will save them the inconvenience of standing in queues at Sassa offices in order to apply for their grants. The added advantage is that the convenience of online applications eliminates the risk of being infected with the Covid-19 virus because there will be no need to gather at public places in order to apply.
“This remote self-service will be possible on both a computer and a mobile phone. The turnaround time is 10 days, provided the applicant supplies all the stipulated documents such as identity documents of applicant and spouse as well as banking details among others,” the agency said in a statement.
The portal will also allow for online submission of the required supporting documentation linked to the application; change of circumstances (payment method, banking details, address); and status of application.
“To access this service, applicants need to have an email address to sign up and to be able to login for further services. Feedback to applicants will be sent through SMS notification to applicants with no email addresses and an email response will be sent to applicants choosing to be contacted by email. A receipt will be generated when the application is completed.
“The testing of the system will run from 14 September 2020 till 25 September 2020. It is important to note that required supporting documents to be attached must be certified. These documents should be certified by a commissioner of oaths.”
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