Sassa vows to disburse R350 grants this week, after two months of drought!

After nearly two months of ‘no-grants’ allocated to millions of beneficiaries, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says payments for the new cycle of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grants (SRD) will run from this week.

Millions of citizens had to endure full two months since they last had a taste of their R350s over the last two months, in April and May.

According to social development minister Lindiwe Zulu, it is highlighted that the payment of social relief of distress grants had to be stalled as government opted to implement new measures in place to disburse grants to those who are in need.

“The delay is due to the decision by the department to set a means test for the new phase of the grant,” said Zulu.

“Anyone with an income of R350 a month or more – even if this is support from a family member – will not be eligible.

“But to put the test in place, Sassa had to sign new agreements with banks, which will screen bank accounts for income,” she detailed further.

On Monday, Sassa said it will continue clearing outstanding payments from the previous cycle as and when the bank details are confirmed.

“The payments will not be done together, but will be done month by month. More than one payment may be made in a month, but no one will receive double payments in amount,” the agency said.

SASSA said it will do these multiple payments in a month until the backlog has been finalised, where after monthly payments will resume.

Briefing media after Cabinet’s meeting last week, minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, reiterated government’s commitment to pay out the R350 SRD grant to beneficiaries.

This came after media reported that some grant beneficiaries had not received payments for up to three months.

“This government will always fulfil whatever undertaking it has [with regards to the SRD]. If there was a period of non-payment… on behalf of this government, we will make that apology.