Sassa payments return to normal

THE SOUTH African Social Security Agency (Sassa) said paydays would return to normal in January next year following the early payment which was started in November.

Sassa’s national spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi said social grants are normally paid out from the first of every month.

She said the fact that January 1, 2018 is a public holiday will not interfere with the process.

“As from January 2018 Sassa will pay beneficiaries who use banks, ATM’s and merchant outlets from the January 1 despite the day falling on a public holiday.

“As usual, this applies to any other public holiday falling on a the first day of the month,” said Letsatsi.

She added that they paid beneficiaries earlier for December to curb the risk of beneficiaries falling prey to crime.

“The early December payment which started on November 28 was welcomed by Sassa beneficiaries with both hands.

“The rationale behind this was to protect beneficiaries from the December shopping traffic and its attendant risks especially for the elderly.

“The move, however, was 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,” she said.

She added paypoints will open on January 4, 2018 except for beneficiaries in the Western Cape.

“Specific and individualised payment dates are printed on payment slips for beneficiaries using Sassa paypoints to ensure that Sassa pays the right grant to the right person at the right time,” she said.