The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced a temporary delay in May payments for a select group of social grant beneficiaries
Image: File
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced a delay in the May 2025 payment schedule for a select group of social grant beneficiaries, due to a nationwide identity verification and eligibility review process.
In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, the agency said the initiative will allow beneficiaries to confirm any changes in their financial circumstances and update their personal details.
The process intends to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system.
"The targeted beneficiaries are those who use alternative forms of identification other than the standard 13-digit South African Identity number to receive their social grants.
"SASSA has consulted with the Department of Home Affairs about these beneficiaries and discovered that they have valid 13-digit ID numbers in Home Affairs’ system but these ID numbers do appear in the SASSA grant system," said Sassa Spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.
The agency added that once clients have presented themselves at various SASSA offices, a review will be conducted, after which their 13-digit ID numbers will be captured into the system to complete the verification process.
"Beneficiaries who fail to come forward during this process may have their social grants suspended, and if they continue not to respond, more drastic actions such as lapsing of their grant will be applied."
The agency also mentioned that other beneficiaries that are targeted include those identified through the bulk means test process, to check if have some income that flows into other bank accounts that they did not disclose.
"Social grants beneficiaries are reminded that, in line with Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act, social grants are subject to reviews at any time when there are reasons to believe that beneficiary circumstance has changed. A beneficiary may have applied for a grant at specific period and qualified but their material conditions could have improved overtime and made them not eligible to receive a grant anymore" Letsatsi
Letsatsi further revealed that the agency will intensify its eligibility verification measures in the 2025/2026 financial year.
IOL Business