CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 12: People with face masks seen at a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) building on May 12, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. The South African goverment announced that a R350 grant to help unemployed people not receiving any form of subsidy or grant during the Covid-19 pandemic would be paid from May to October. It will be open to South Africans, refugees and permanent residents already in the Department of Home Affairs’ system and those residing within the borders of South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Nardus Engelbrecht)
SASSA R350 grant: Here’s what you’ll need to collect from the Post Office
If the SASSA R350 grant is not being directly deposited into your account and you need to visit the Post Office, this is what you’ll need.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 12: People with face masks seen at a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) building on May 12, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. The South African goverment announced that a R350 grant to help unemployed people not receiving any form of subsidy or grant during the Covid-19 pandemic would be paid from May to October. It will be open to South Africans, refugees and permanent residents already in the Department of Home Affairs’ system and those residing within the borders of South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Nardus Engelbrecht)
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has, on Thursday 30 July, outlined what beneficiaries of the R350 grant need in order to collect their funds from the Post Office.
Some beneficiaries receive the R350 grant via their bank accounts, while others have to physically collect their grant at the Post Office which could wreak havoc. In order to have a good experience, SASSA has outlined exactly what you’ll need to successfully retrieve those funds.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO COLLECT THE SASSA R350 GRANT FROM THE POST OFFICE
Attention R350 grant beneficiaries. Here’s what you’ll need to collect your funds:
- You will need your original ID card/book to collect your social grant from the Post Office;
- Birth certificates, ID copies or affidavits are not permitted;
- SASSA also said the Department of Home Affairs is now open for temporary ID applications, therefore, a temporary ID will also be accepted.
SASSA also said R350 grant payments for those who receive their money through the Post Office would be done progressively throughout the month to try and limit the number of people at Post Offices on a daily basis. Since it’s 30 July, it appears that the agency doesn’t have much time to make sure those grants are delivered.
“Beneficiaries are reminded that they should only visit the post office once they have received an SMS saying their money has been paid in and is ready for collection,” it said.
DA SLAMS SASSA FOR POST OFFICE PAYMENTS
The Democratic Alliance (DA), on Thursday, said it is extremely concerned by the impact of SASSA’s decision to pay out R350 grants at Post Offices across the country.
“Currently, bulk SMSs are being sent out to millions of KZN’s most vulnerable citizens, resulting in absolute chaos at the province’s post offices,” said DA KZN Spokesperson on Social Development Elma Rabe.
“The DA has been reliably informed that not only are people waiting hours, if not all day, to collect their meagre government hand-out, but social distancing is also not being enforced or practiced. This at the height of a global health pandemic,” said Rabe.
Further concerns around the method of payment include grant recipients being told to collect their funds and then being turned away because their money is not yet available or due to the fact that a specific Post Office is not assisting with these payments.
“This is the case in Howick where Umgeni residents are being told to collect their payments in Pietermaritzburg. Depending on where they reside within the district, taxi fare can then cost as much as R31 a trip – which they must pay out of just R350 per month,” added Rabe.
One of the payment methods that SASSA spoke of, was using e-Wallet type systems provided by banking institutions. According to the DA, SASSA has failed to meet with banks to sign the necessary agreements in order to access this facility.
The DA will write to Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu calling for SASSA to get its act together within the next seven days.
“In the event that the Minister does not heed our call, the DA in KZN will be forced to go the drastic route of reporting this matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC),” added Rabe.
