The Newcastle Post Office is currently struggling to accommodate hordes of residents waiting to collect their R350 social grant payouts on July 31. Although the street was busy, there was no witnessed chaos.
The Post Office has apologised for delayed payments.
“The delays were caused by logistical challenges in the past two days after unexpected numbers of beneficiaries arrived to collect their grant. The SRD/R350 grant recipients who have received the second SMS can go to their nearest post Office as of Friday (July 31), for their grant. The Post Office uses SMS messages to tell customers that they can go to collect their grant, and makes sure they have cash to pay the customers who received an SMS,” said Nobuhle Njaba, KZN Post Office Communications.
Njapha added that many customers go to the post office before they receive the second SMS, which may cause a problem.
“Some of these customers do receive their grant and as a result, the cash runs out before those that received the second SMS are paid. To solve this problem, the Post Office will now only pay beneficiaries who received the SMS asking them to visit their nearest post office. If you applied for the R350 grant, you will receive two SMS messages. The first SMS will let you know if your application was approved or declined. The second SMS will ask you to go to a Post Office to collect your R350, because the money is ready for you,” explained Njapha.
The Post Office has emphasised that nobody should go to the post office before they receive the second SMS.
“If your application was declined and you are convinced that you do qualify, you can forward your request for the reconsideration, together with the reasons why you feel an incorrect decision was made, to covid19srdappeals@sassa.gov.za. When you send an email, remember to give your ID number. Please do not attach any documents.”
The Post Office has asked people not to collect their R350 during the first week of each month from August to October, as that time has been set aside to pay out the old age grants, disability grants and child grants.
Businesses on Scott Street reported not being affected by the long queues of people outside their premises, but some expressed concern that there was no proper social distancing, fearing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Lorraine Van der Schyff, manager at Peperico said their business was not affected and it was work as usual.
ALSO READ: SASSA has called for calm and patience from social grant applicants
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