Post office no longer paying R350 grants, supermarkets step in

The SA Post Office (Sapo) will no longer pay out the R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant in a bid to reduce long queues for other grant beneficiaries at its branches.

In a statement this week, Sapo announced that beneficiaries can now receive their grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave merchant.

Sapo said applicants and current beneficiaries must select the option on SRD website to collect their grant from the retail stores. Sapo spokesperson Johan Kruger said that beneficiaries must have their own cellphone number to withdraw their grant at supermarkets. “Those without their own numbers should purchase a SIM card and use that number to apply for a grant,” he said.

Under the new regulations, beneficiaries must reapply for the grant. The new regulations also disqualify people earning R350 or more per month.

The Black Sash has warned that when beneficiaries get their grants at ATMs and retail stores they have to pay a fee, which reduces the cash value of the grant.