The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) regrets to confirm that as from May 11, the cash pay points at which social grant clients normally access their social grant funding, will not be serviced, due to challenges beyond SASSA’s control.
This challenge is extended to Post Office outlets and clients are therefore advised to not go to any Post Office branch to access the funds.
SASSA is currently implementing contingency measures where both SASSA and SAPO staff are present at the pay points, and are assisting all clients to receive PINs, so that they can transact at the nearest retail outlets and bank ATMs.
Furthermore, SASSA staff continue to assist affected clients to access services and ensure that correct information is provided to clients.
All clients are reminded that they can use the SASSA/SAPO card at any retail outlet or bank ATM. Clients can either withdraw cash they require or use the card to purchase goods. Balances left in the card are safe and can be accessed whenever required. There is no need to withdraw all the cash at once.
Clients of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress of R350 are advised to not go to the Post Office to access the funds which have not yet been collected. Recipients of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 who had selected to receive their funds at SAPO branches are also requested to visit www.srd.sassa.gov.za and select an option to collect the grant from any of the below retail outlets.
Clients who still have uncollected COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 credit at SAPO/Postbank can collect at any of the following retail outlets: Checkers, Usave, Shoprite, Pick n Pay and Boxer.
When reporting to a merchant to access the funds, clients must have their identity document and cellphone they used to register when applying for the grant because the OTP number will be sent to this registered number.
All applicants for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant are encouraged to update their details on the system, to have the grant paid into their own personal bank account, as this is the safest way in which to receive the funds.
In addition, SASSA will continue to engage with communities and local leadership, traditional leaders and councillors to inform clients of the options to access their funds.
SASSA apologises to all clients for any inconvenience that this might have caused.