SOCIAL grants are usually paid from the first of every month except in December, but as from January 2018 SASSA will pay beneficiaries who use banks, ATMs and merchant outlets from the 01 January despite the day falling on a public holiday.
SASSA spokesman Paseka Letsatsi said as usual, this applied to any other public holiday falling on a the first day of the month.
Payment at SASSA paypoints will start on January 4 all over the country except the Western Cape which will open its paypoints from January 3 next year. Specific and individualized payment dates are printed on payment slips for beneficiaries using SASSA paypoints.
The early December payment which started on November 28 was welcomed by SASSA beneficiaries. The rationale behind was to protect beneficiaries from the December shopping traffic and its accompanying, risks especially for the elderly. The move however is misinterpreted as a December double payment by a few and others think another early payment for January is on the cards- which is not true, Letsatsi said.
Social grant beneficiaries are also reminded that upon approval of their grants they have the right to choose a payment method. They can either choose a direct payment into a bank account of their choice or a manual cash payment at a paypoint for instance. A beneficiary choosing a direct payment into their bank account makes it easy and convenient because they can receive their money anywhere in the country. Beneficiaries who wish to switch to banks can arrange that at their nearest SASSA office. SASSA however does not cover bank charges that may arise in the case of direct payments into private bank accounts of beneficiaries.
