The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has refuted claims that elderly beneficiaries in Limpopo and other provinces failed to receive their pension grants in July. This clarification follows a Parliamentary question by Honourable Marais and growing concerns on social media about missed payments.
In its official response, the Department of Social Development emphasized that no social grants were suspended or delayed in July. All payments were made according to the issued schedule, including a newly introduced fourth payment date aimed at accommodating beneficiaries due for mandatory reviews.
“SASSA has not suspended nor halted any social grants during the month of July,” the statement reads. “All beneficiaries due for payment were paid in the month their grant payment was due.”
Why the Confusion?
According to the department, some of the confusion stemmed from beneficiaries failing to update contact details, which led to them missing review notices. The new fourth payment date on the 4th of each month now caters to those flagged for review.
Officials stress this is not part of a punitive verification system but rather a routine review process under Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act. “Suspending reviews would be illegal,” the department noted.
Communication Gaps
The department acknowledged that a lack of communication around the updated payment schedule may have caused concern. SASSA has since promised to intensify its public communication campaign to avoid similar issues in the future.
Fact Box: Key Clarifications from SASSA
| Concern | Clarification |
|---|---|
| Were grants suspended in July? | No, all payments were made on schedule. |
| What is the 4th payment date for? | It’s for beneficiaries flagged for reviews. |
| Is this a verification system? | No, it’s a legal review process per Regulation 30. |
| What caused delays? | Missed review notices due to outdated contact info. |
| Will communication improve? | Yes, new public awareness efforts are underway. |
For updates, visit www.sassa.gov.za or contact your nearest SASSA office to check your review status and update contact information.
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