Bad news: SASSA Post Office cash payments to cease in 2024. Picture: File/Fotor.
BAD News: SASSA Post Office cash payments to cease in 2024
It’s bad news for grant recipients with the announcement that SASSA Post Office cash payments will be phased out in 2024. Here’s how …
Bad news: SASSA Post Office cash payments to cease in 2024. Picture: File/Fotor.
It’s bad news for grant recipients with the announcement that SASSA Post Office cash payments will be phased out in 2024. According to a joint statement from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Postbank, the physical cash withdrawal of grants and cash payment points (CPPs) at Post Offices will be shutdown in 2024.
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SASSA Post Office cash payments and withdrawals will be phased out from Monday 1 January 2024 with the aim to completely cease by Sunday 31 March 2024. This is part of a cashless/paperless strategy that was announced for SASSA grant payments back in 2018. It’s also necessary considering Postbank’s recent fiscal and operational challenges that have found it in business rescue.
SASSA POST OFFICE CASH PAYMENTS
Timing of this couldn’t be worse for South Africa’s needy, following the recent confusion over the expiration of SASSA cards. First the South African Social Security Agency said expiring cards would have to be replaced before the end of the year. Only later to renege and say all cards would remain valid indefinitely. Now, what are the millions of South African grant recipients to make of the end of SASSA Post Office cash payments? Will it actually happen?
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On this, Bongani Diako of the South African Postbank said, “Post Office branches will continue to assist SASSA beneficiaries with non-cash payments such as card reinsurances, PIN resets, printing of statements, and other such non-cash services. Only the payment of cash to beneficiaries will be discontinued.”
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In light of this imminent ceasing of SASSA Post Office cash payments, recipients must find alternative payment systems. SASSA says they should either use their cards at participating retailers like Boxer, Pick n Pay, Spar, Shoprite, Usave, or Checkers. Alternatively, they can withdraw cash from ATMs and retailers, or pay for goods using cash-back facilities.
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As disruptive as the end of SASSA Post Office cash payments sounds, Postbank says 98% of grant recipients use other channels and will therefore not be impacted negatively. However, many organisations from civil society have criticised the move. They say it’s a decision made with improper research into how it will impact old-age pensioners and disabled people, especially in rural areas.
SASSA PAYMENT DATES FOR 2024
As a reminder, here are all the available SASSA payment dates for 2024.
JANUARY 2024
- Older Persons Grants: Wednesday 3 January 2024.
- Disability Grants: Thursday 4 January 2024.
- Children’s Grants: Friday 5 January 2024.
FEBRUARY 2024
- Older Persons Grants: Friday 2 February 2024.
- Disability Grants: Monday 5 February 2024.
- Children’s Grants: Tuesday 6 February 2024
MARCH 2024
- Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 5 March 2024.
- Disability Grants: Wednesday 6 March 2024.
- Children’s Grants: Thursday 7 February 2024
*Add these to your diary now, and the social security agency reminds beneficiaries that payments may take 2-3 days to reflect.
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Are you a grant recipient? What do you think of the end of SASSA Post Office cash payments in 2024? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.
