IN THE NEWS Sassa cards still usable after expiry date

SOCIAL grant beneficiaries in Kimberley and the Northern Cape have been warned not to heed rumours that their Sassa cards will expire at the end of the year.

Inno Khunou, spokesperson for the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in the Province, said yesterday that the agency had become aware that grant beneficiaries were being advised to take a new bank card because the Sassa card would expire in December.

“We would like to reassure all social grant beneficiaries that the existing Sassa social grant card (the card with the South African flag colours and Coat of Arms on it) is the only Sassa payment card and will continue to work, even beyond the expiry date printed on the card.

“No beneficiary should therefore be coerced into taking a new card. Sassa only issues one card and does not endorse or support any other bank cards,” she stated.

Khunou also referred to recent media reports regarding deductions on Sassa cards.

“The Sassa payment card operates like most bank cards and social grant beneficiaries are able to enter into debit order agreements for products/services, and have payments effected from their accounts.

“Many services, such as marketing of prepaid airtime, prepaid electricity and loans, are targeted directly at social grant beneficiaries, with the repayments coming off their accounts.”

Khunou added that the challenge faced by Sassa was that in some cases, the financial products were sold to social grant beneficiaries without the latter understanding the full implications of what they were agreeing to.

“When the grant is paid, the loan repayments for products like prepaid airtime come off before the beneficiary can access the grant. The beneficiary then complains to Sassa about the deductions. We have gone out of our way to resolve these complaints, in order to assist beneficiaries.”

Khunou explained further that the only direct deduction from a social grant which was permitted was a deduction for funeral policy premiums. “This is managed under Regulation 26 (A) of the Social Assistance Act 2004,” she said.

“It must be made clear that Sassa does not offer or endorse any funeral policies, however, any qualifying beneficiary is free to take out a policy. Through Regulation 26 (A), Sassa offers a facility for the payment of the monthly premium, but this is done only with the written consent of the beneficiary.

“We want to reiterate that Sassa does not provide loans, funeral insurance, prepaid products or any financial services.

“We provide social grants which are intended to provide a financial support for those who have zero or very little income, to ensure that they have the means to provide the basics for their survival. Anything which erodes the value of the social grant is not supported by Sassa in any way.”

The public is advised to contact Sassa for more information, either on the toll free number (0800 003 077) or its Facebook or Twitter pages. – Patsty Beangstrom