The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) has urged R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant applicants without smartphones not to choose the EFT payment method.
This comes after its customer-care unit in Mpumalanga received complaints from beneficiaries who failed to process the EFT payments.
The agency said it discovered that all the applicants who could not process the EFT payments had mobile phones with “little or no computing or internet capacity”.
EFT payments requires a smartphone
The EFT payment method requires a person to have a smartphone with the corresponding apps for such a transaction. Those who do not have smartphones are urged to refrain from using the EFT method.
“The agency cautions beneficiaries to choose a suitable method of payment to avoid inconvenience. All the applicable methods of payment can be accessed on Sassa’s official website. They can choose to receive payments through officially selected merchants and financial institutions,” said Sassa.
“Beneficiaries and applicants must ensure they update personal information such as cellphone numbers, surnames and financial accounts if there are changes. This will guarantee the right recepient and avoid payment disapproval.”
Sassa also urged beneficiaries to avoid asking for assistance from people they do not know when updating their personal information.
“Strangers can use the beneficiary’s personal details for fraudulent activities.”
Where can I collect my grant?
You can collect your grants from Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers and Usave store.
The SA Post Office (Sapo) and Sassa advised people to choose this payment option when applying for the grant.
Those who used to get their R350 grants at a post office should visit www.sassa-status.co.za and select an option to collect the grant from one of the supermarkets mentioned.
“Clients who have uncollected SRD R350 credit at Sapo/Postbank can collect at any of the retail outlets,” said Sassa.
Source: Sowetan Live, Business Day, image from Twitter: @TechnicalPromotions
