Here’s what you should know about the South African Social Security Agency, which runs the department in charge of social grants. Photo: SASSA/ Twitter

FAQ: Who really runs SASSA?

Here’s what you should know about the South African Social Security Agency, which runs the department in charge of social grants.

by Francois Jansen

12-09-2023 20:07

in News

Here’s what you should know about the South African Social Security Agency, which runs the department in charge of social grants. Photo: SASSA/ Twitter

According to the SASSA website, Postbank has apologised for the issue that left thousands of South Africans unable to collect their social grants last week.

Grant payments should be back to normal, but it’s not the first time that delays have affected grant recipients.

Who runs SASSA and where should you complain about service delivery?

Here’s what you should know about who runs the department in charge of South Africa’s social grant payments.

More about SASSA

The acronym is short for the South African Social Security Agency.

The agency was first introduced in 2005 and exists to pay social grants to more than 18 million citizens.

SASSA is in charge of paying social grants, but also administrates the process.

Social grant applications and verification of social grant status (like the means test) is done by the same security services department.

ALSO READ: GOOD NEWS: Postbank assures to pay outstanding SASSA grants

The South African Social Security Agency works in co-operation with other government departments in South Africa.

For example, disability grants require medical examinations – and this is done together with the Department of Health.

Who runs SASSA?

The SASSA system is a secondary branch of the Department of Social Development

The Department of Social Development (DSD) is in charge of Southern Africa’s social and welfare services. SASSA works under this department, with the exclusive purpose of administrating and issuing social grant payments.

ALSO READ: SASSA PAYMENTS: Technical problem persists

According to the DSD website, their services are about “advocacy, promotion, prevention, care, mitigation and palliation”.

The Department of Social Development (DSD) is in charge of welfare and social services.

Social development includes taking care of the welfare of citizens.

ALSO READ: Budget CUTS could spell the end of SASSA SRD grants

The department is in charge of places like Old Age Homes and Care Facilities, which must be registered with the Department to operate legally.

The same department oversees SASSA, making sure that social grants are paid the way they should be – and to the correct people.

Need help? Contact SASSA first

All issues related to social grants or payments are handled by SASSA first, and not usually the Department of Social Development.

ALSO READ: SASSA social grants: How to change your banking details

If you require help with a social grant-related question or problem, the best thing you can do is to contact the head office of the Social Security Agency at their hotline or via email.