Confusion reigns as SASSA Post Office cash points begin phased shutdown. Image: File
Confusion reigns as SASSA Post Office cash points CLOSE
We all knew it was coming, but the first phased closure of SASSA Post Office cash points in February has beneficiaries at sixes and sevens.
Confusion reigns as SASSA Post Office cash points begin phased shutdown. Image: File
The first phase of closure of SASSA Post Office cash points in February 2024 has already been confirmed by Postbank. However, amid a glaring lack in communication to assist the country’s neediest citizens, no one seems to know about it …
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Quoting Postbank spokesperson, Bongani Diako, The Citizen reports February is indeed the first month of SASSA Post Office cash points closing. The South African Social Security Agency’s payment run from 2-24 February signals the first phase in a push to full cessation by April 2024.
SASSA POST OFFICE CASH POINTS
The Post Office spokesperson said from 1 March, beneficiaries will NOT be able to withdraw cash from any Post Office branch. However, in March, it will still provide non-cash services, such as card reinsurances, PIN resets and statement printing.
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It’s understood that SASSA Post Office cash points still service roughly half-a-million grant recipients. 870 cash points will be closing between now and April. Here’s how they breakdown per province:
- Eastern Cape – 277
- Free State – 26
- Western Cape – 0
- Gauteng – 6
- Northern Cape – 13
- North West – 96
- Limpopo – 216
- Mpumalanga – 53
- Kwazulu-Natal – 183
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Although the impacted beneficiaries only make up 2% of people receiving social grants, there is still plenty of confusion on what alternative arrangements they need to make. SASSA grant cards work like a bank card and can be used at all National Payment System (NPS) channels. These include: Boxer, Pick n Pay, Spar, Shoprite, Usave and Checkers, and most bank ATMs.
MASS CONFUSION
So far this month, media reports have been circling about mass confusion among beneficiaries. Many in the rural areas do not know where they will be getting their next grants from. They must come up with additional travel costs and ATM security is by no means guaranteed. Bank ATMs also require a level of technical literacy that many grant recipients struggle with.
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The majority of the elderly and disabled are reluctant to make the move to new NPS channels because they view the Post Office as a safe and reliable option to access their money, says The Citizen. Postbank and SASSA claim they are implementing nationwide communication regarding SASSA Post Office cash points. Including: post offices, social media platforms, radio announcements and community engagements. Sadly, the people that need to hear it don’t seem to be getting the message.
CONTACT SASSA FOR HELP
If you need assistance:
- Call SASSA Toll-Free: 0800 60 10 11.
- Or call: 012 400 2322.
- Email: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
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