“All social grant beneficiaries are assured that their current cards are still valid,” said Paseka Letsatsi, spokesperson for the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
According to Sassa, they have been made aware of the fact that social grant beneficiaries are being advised to take a new bank card, because the current Sassa cards will be expiring in December. “We would like to assure all our beneficiaries that the existing Sassa card – with the South African flag colours and Coat of Arms printed on it – is the only payment card. This card will continue to work, even beyond the expiry date printed on the front of it,” he said.
He reminded beneficiaries that Sassa does not support or endorse any bank cards used for grant payments.
He also used the opportunity to address issues raised in recent media reports, claiming that Sassa is making illegal deductions from beneficiaries. “The Sassa payment card operates like most bank cards and social grant beneficiaries are able to enter into debit order agreements for products or services as well as have payments effected from their accounts. Many services, such as marketing of prepaid airtime, prepaid electricity and loans are targeted directly at social grant beneficiaries, with the repayments coming off their accounts. The challenge we face, is that in some cases, the financial products are sold to beneficiaries without them understanding the full implications of what they are agreeing to. When the grant is paid, repayments for these services are deducted before the beneficiary can access the grant, resulting in complaints. We have gone out of our way to resolve these complaints, in order to assist the beneficiaries,” said Letsatsi.
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The only direct deduction allowed on a social grant, is a funeral policy premium. “These deductions are managed under Regulation 26 (A) of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004, which allows for one monthly deduction, which may not exceed 10 per cent of the value of the grant, from the adult grants (old age, war veterans and permanent disability grants) only. No direct deductions for funeral policy premiums may be effected from any temporary or child grant. There are about 700 000 funeral policy deductions which take place monthly, but this is done only with the written consent of the beneficiary,” he said.
He added that Sassa does not provide loans, funeral insurance, prepaid products or any financial services, as they do not want to erode the value of any grants received by beneficiaries. “We provide social grants which are intended to provide financial support for those who have zero or very little income, to ensure that they have the means to provide the basics for their monthly survival.” he said.
For more information or if there are any uncertainties, contact Sassa on 0822 60 1011. You can also visit their Facebook page or Twitter account.
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