WeeklySA_AdminPayment Delays: The move is part of a wider effort to remove people who no longer qualify for assistance in all types of social grants
By Ali Mphaki
Its going to be a week of anguish and gnashing of teeth for more than 210 000 SASSA beneficiaries who will be affected by payment delays in June.
Sugar levels are certainly set to rise especially for those old age grant recipients who have been flagged and were set to receive their pension money on Tuesday, June 3.
People living with disabilities scheduled to be paid on Wednesday, June 4, as well as those receiving child grant support on Thursday, June 5, have also not been spared, as part of a wider effort by SASSA to remove people who no longer qualify for assistance.
The move could also see the R370 social relief distress grant beneficiaries, set to receive their pay last week of June, also being affected. SASSA has found some grant recipients who did not report extra income, which is required by law.
While someone might have qualified when they applied, changes like getting a new job or having other income can now disqualify them. When applying, you must share all your income sources and report any changes afterward.
SASSA said that it was assisted by registered Credit Bureaus when it “identified about 210 000 social grant beneficiaries who appear to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed to the agency”. The Social Assistance Act and its regulations say beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application. They are also obligated to inform SASSA of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved.
“Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the Act and may result in corrective action,” explained SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.
“As part of this initiative, social grant payments for the affected beneficiaries will be delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle.
“These individuals are required to present themselves at their nearest SASSA local offices for a grant review within 30 days from this notice date, in line with Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act.”
“This initiative is aimed at ensuring that beneficiaries confirm any changes in the financial circumstances of the beneficiaries and for them to update their personal details.
“It also seeks to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system.
“A beneficiary may have qualified for a grant at the time of application, but improved material conditions over time may render them ineligible.”
The SASSA announcement has been met with mixed feelings by the various grant recipients, with some accusing the agency of not having communicated effectively.
They also questioned the amounts given, what they termed “paltry” grants, said not to be in line with the inflation rate.
“How do they expect anyone to survive with a mere R370 for the whole month without trying to supplement his or her income? They are just being silly and the whole thing is ridiculous,” said Mxo Mdluli, of Hillbrow, Johannesburg.
Who qualifies for the SASSA old age grant, and how can you apply?
Once you reach a certain age, you are entitled to an old age grant to alleviate your financial strain. This grant also enables you to retire with less stress regarding how you will continue to survive. Any South African citizen, recognised refugee, or permanent resident over 60 qualifies for a SASSA older persons grant.
To receive a disability grant from SASSA, an applicant must be a South Africa citizen, permanent resident or refugee residing permanently in South Africa, be between the ages of 18 and 59 and have documents from a doctor confirming their disability, among a few other criteria.
