In its efforts to ensure that the right grant is paid to the right person, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), will continue to review social grants of targeted beneficiaries suspected to have other alternative sources of income that were not disclosed.

These targeted beneficiaries are expected to present themselves at a SASSA Local Office where their eligibility will be reviewed. 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, the Agency said in a statement.

In accordance with the Social Assistance legislative framework, 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 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 and whose incomes are close to or exceed the means threshold; particularly where such income was not disclosed at the time of application or where changes in circumstances were not reported thereafter.

“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 SASSA’s National spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi.

While it is a legislative obligation for all beneficiaries to ensure that their contact details are always up to date and 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 person’s 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.

SASSA encourages all beneficiaries to disclose any alternative sources of income and to report any additional bank accounts not previously declared. Furthermore, 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.

For more information on grant reviews, clients are urged to contact the SASSA toll-free customer care line on 0800 60 1011 or GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za, or their nearest SASSA local office.