Latest news with #SocialAssistance
The South African
09-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
SASSA social grant review: Here are the documents you must submit
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has clarified that it has not suspended social grants as it has undertaken a review process to ascertain the eligibility of identified beneficiaries suspected of having additional income that was not disclosed. The agency said that during the review process, grants get delayed momentarily until a beneficiary has completed the review process. This review is not a punitive measure to deliberately exclude any deserving beneficiary, but it is intended to ensure continued eligibility and prevent misuse of public funds. In June, SASSA confirmed that payments will be delayed to approximately 210 000 beneficiaries who failed to disclose other sources of income. SASSA CEO Themba Matlou has assured grants beneficiaries and the public that SASSA is undertaking the social grants review process for the better good of the government fiscus, thus ensuring that grants are paid to eligible beneficiaries and all the fraudulent elements are rooted out. Matlou stressed that in terms of the Social Assistance legislative framework, beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application, adding that they are obligated to inform SASSA of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved and failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the Social Assistance legislation and may result in corrective action. 'The review of social grants helps identify beneficiaries who may no longer qualify due to changes in financial, medical, or legal circumstances and serves as a confirmation of life or existence, ensuring that grants are not paid out to deceased individuals or those who have relocated without updating their records. 'More importantly, reviews allow SASSA to detect and prevent cases where individuals continue receiving grants despite being listed on payroll systems of other entities (public or private),' Matlou said. Matlou further said work is underway to capacitate all SASSA local offices to ensure that they are able to handle the large volumes of people flocking into the offices for various services including those coming in for a review. Beneficiaries who have been affected by the grants review are encouraged to visit their nearest SASSA Local Office and bring the following documents: Valid South African ID (13-digit barcoded ID or smart ID card) Proof of income (e.g. payslips, pension slips, or affidavits if no longer employed or employment discharge confirmations) Bank statements (last 3 months) – for all active bank accounts Proof of residence (e.g. utility bill or letter from a local authority) Medical referral report (if applicable, for disability or care dependency grants) – to confirm disability status. Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable) Death certificate (if some death has occurred for example child, spouse etc) Any other supporting documents relevant to your grant type (e.g., birth certificates for Child Support Grants, school attendance proof for Foster Care Grants) Additionally, SASSA said that whilst the review of social grants is an ongoing process, the agency is working hard to automate the review process by introducing self-service options using online platforms to make it easier for beneficiaries and reduce queues in local offices. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- The Citizen
Targeted grant beneficiaries not off the hook
Targeted grant beneficiaries not off the hook TARGETED social grant beneficiaries who are suspected of having alternative sources of income not previously disclosed are still being investigated. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) said it continues to review these grants and ensure eligibility of beneficiaries. ALSO READ: Don't fall for fake job adverts, warns Sassa 'These targeted beneficiaries are expected to present themselves at a Sassa local office where their eligibility will be reviewed to ascertain whether or not they remain eligible for the social grant that they initially applied for,' said the agency in a statement. 'Beneficiaries who fail to comply with this process risk having their grants suspended. Continued non-compliance may lead to the permanent lapsing of their grants. ALSO READ: uMhlathuze workers' strike suspended pending negotiations 'In accordance with the Social Assistance legislative framework, beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application,' said Sassa. The agency said beneficiaries are also obligated to state any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved. 'Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the Social Assistance legislation and may result in corrective action.' Sassa has been reviewing its database and grant administration processes in efforts to root out fraud. 'It is also important to note that no grant has been suspended yet. Sassa has only amended the payment schedule for those beneficiaries who have been requested to come in for a review,' said the agency. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Sassa continues to review grants of targeted beneficiaries
THE South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) continues to review social grants of targeted beneficiaries suspected to have other alternative sources of income that were not disclosed to Sassa. These targeted beneficiaries are expected to present themselves at a Sassa local office where their eligibility will be reviewed. Also read: Sassa announces grant payment dates for July Sassa will ascertain whether or not they remain eligible for the social grant that they initially applied for. Sassa warned that beneficiaries who do not comply with this process risk having their grants suspended. According to Sassa beneficiaries are legally required to: Fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application. Beneficiaries 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 Social Assistance legislation and may result in corrective action. Sassa has undertaken a review of its database and grant administration processes to root out fraud and ensure that assistance reaches those who are eligible. These reviews are specifically focused on individuals who: Appear to be active in the labour market. Whose incomes are close to or exceed the means threshold. Also read: eThekwini approves strategic land use and infrastructure plan Sassa's national spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said, 'It is also important to note that no grant has been suspended yet. Sassa has only amended the payment schedule for those beneficiaries who have been requested to come in for a review. 'From previous reviews, Sassa has become aware that most clients do not maintain their contact details with Sassa, and as a result often don't get notifications that the Agency issues,' said Letsatsi. Letsatsi said while it is a legislative obligation for all beneficiaries to ensure that their contact details are always up to date they would have little recourse should their grant be suspended due to failure to respond to a notification issued by Sassa. 'Sassa has thus issued this additional payment date, specifically for persons placed on review, as a means to further communicate with clients that there is a need for them to contact Sassa. Should no contact be made after two months, as per legislative requirements, only then will these beneficiaries' grants be suspended. 'During the time of suspension, the beneficiary has one month to approach Sassa should they believe they still qualify. After this period, the grant will be permanently cancelled and depending on their circumstances, a fraud investigation opened,' said Letsatsi. Also read: Southlands Sun 04 July 2025 Sassa encourages all beneficiaries to disclose any alternative sources of income and to report any additional bank accounts not previously declared. Beneficiaries still using the green bar-coded ID book are urged to replace it with the smart ID card, due to the increased risk of fraud associated with the older ID format. How to contact Sassa? For more information on grant reviews, clients are urged to contact the Sassa toll-free customer care line on 0800 60 1011 or [email protected], or their nearest Sassa local office. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
