Sassa Actions to Resolve Grant Payment Delays and Introduce Procuratorship for Beneficiaries

Sassa Actions to Resolve Grant Payment Delays and Introduce Procuratorship for Beneficiaries. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is actively addressing technical challenges that have resulted in delays in the disbursement of grants.

Beneficiary Frustrations Emerge on Social Media

In the past week, frustrated beneficiaries have taken to social media platforms to voice their concerns over the delayed receipt of grants, including the critical R350 social relief of distress (SRD) payment.

Promised Payment Dates Unmet

Despite Sassa’s prior confirmation that all grants, including the SRD payment, would be processed and paid out on August 2, 3, and 4, this commitment has not been fulfilled.

Dynamic Payment Structure Explained

Sassa clarifies that the special Covid-19 SRD grant does not have a fixed payment date. Instead, each month, the eligibility of the applicant is re-evaluated to determine if they still qualify for the grant. Payment is then made for that specific month if the criteria are met. It’s important to note that the payment structure might involve multiple disbursements over varying timeframes, rather than a lump sum on a single day.

Insight from Sassa Spokesperson

In an interview with Newsroom Afrika, Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi acknowledged the agency’s commitment to ensuring timely payments. He acknowledged that a backlog had developed due to the necessity of evaluating applicant conditions each month.

Introducing the Role of a Procurator

To assist beneficiaries who are unable to collect their grants, Sassa introduced the concept of a “procurator.”

Understanding the Procurator Role

A procurator is an individual designated to collect a grant on behalf of the beneficiary.

Requirements for Procuratorship

To be eligible for the role of a procurator, the individual must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold permanent residency in South Africa
• Not be an unrehabilitated insolvent
• Be willing to act as a representative of the beneficiary
• Possess a valid 13-digit South African ID
• Provide a life certificate for the beneficiary
• Ensure the beneficiary does not owe any debt to the procurator
• Limit representation to a maximum of five beneficiaries
• Submit an affidavit confirming the proper transfer of collected funds to the beneficiary
• Provide the identity documents of both the beneficiary and the appointee

Sassa emphasizes that a procurator can submit an application on behalf of the beneficiary if the latter is unable to visit the local Sassa office personally.

Conclusion