Latest news with #SASSAOld-AgeGrant
The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Agency sets record straight on SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions
Numerous complaints about unauthorised SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions has the agency reaching out to beneficiaries. SASSA CEO Themba Matlou said this past week that the agency has no authority to make any SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions. So, why has there been such a spate of this occurring in the last month? The SAPS has been alerted to anyone misrepresenting themselves as a government agency. Image: File By way of clarification, the South African Social Security Agency assures clients that it is not allowed to make deductions without notifying the recipient beforehand and receiving consent. If you have not received your full grant amount for the month of August, you must contact SASSA immediately to rectify the situation. Recently, several SASSA beneficiaries have come forward alleging that their grants are arriving with R165 already deducted, reports The Citizen . Due to the sheer number of complaints, the concern is that this has moved beyond a few isolated incidents and there are nefarious actors at play. You should never have any money deducted from your SASSA payment without giving consent beforehand. Image: File 'I can tell you outright that we are not allowed to make SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions from a beneficiary without their consent. That is the regulation. Your money is your money. Once we give you the money, we have no control over that,' clarified Matlou. 'However, of course, there will be these unscrupulous chance-takers who will try to take advantage of SASSA grant recipients. A possible reason could be funeral policies being deducted from immediately after the SASSA Grant payment. But the agency does not offer any such policy. And the agency does not allow anyone to advertise policies using its branding,' Matlou explained. Anyone using the SASSA branding in a misleading manner will be investigated in court. Image: File Furthermore, Matlou admitted that these unauthorised SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions have been brought to the agency's attention. And it has handed investigations over to the SAPS to try find these people. It is a serious offence to misrepresent yourself as a government entity. As such, if you think you've fallen prey to unauthorised SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions, here's what you can do: SMS your ID number, full name, the name of the financial service provider, policy duration and reason for disputing the deduction to 34548 . . WhatsApp SASSA on +27 82 046 8553 Call the SASSA helpline on 080 060 1011 or visit a local office in-person. or visit a local office in-person. You may also want to contact your bank and/or third-party insurer if you think our profiles have been compromised. Try contacting SASSA for assistance on the following provincial numbers: Eastern Cape: 043 707 6300 Gauteng: 011 241 8320 Mpumalanga: 013 754 9446 Limpopo: 015 291 7509 North West: 018 388 4006 Free State: 051 410 8339 North West: 053 802 4919 KwaZulu-Natal: 033 846 3324 Western Cape: 021 469 0235 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
What South African pensioners should know about July 2025 SASSA grant payments
SASSA conducting a verification process of grant recipients Image: File Thousands of South African pensioners are anxiously awaiting their July 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grant payments, which were scheduled for Wednesday. This comes after the sudden suspension of grants for many in June. While the payments offer critical relief—R2 330 for those aged 75 and older, and R2 310 for those aged 60 to 74— the news follows rising panic over eligibility reviews, means testing, and widespread misinformation. What's happening with the old-age grants? While the July payments are expected to proceed as scheduled, many pensioners were left reeling in June when their grants were suspended without prior warning, prompting outrage from public representatives, civil society, and affected beneficiaries. According to SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi, the agency and registered credit bureaus flagged approximately 210,000 beneficiaries believed to have undisclosed income that might exceed eligibility thresholds. As a result, grants for June were withheld, and those affected were asked to report to their nearest SASSA offices within 30 days. Why were grants suspended? SASSA says the suspensions are part of an income verification initiative rooted in the Social Assistance Act, which requires all applicants to: Fully declare their income during application. Report any changes in their financial status thereafter. Failure to do so may result in the temporary suspension or permanent termination of grants. Confusion over reapplication and fake news Further fuelling panic was a viral video that falsely claimed pensioners must reapply for their grants or risk losing them after July 1, prompting large crowds at some SASSA offices. However, SASSA has dismissed these claims as misinformation and urged beneficiaries to wait for official confirmation. 'We urge beneficiaries to be aware and wait for official communication from SASSA. Any unauthenticated information should be treated as a rumour,' said Andile Tshona, SASSA's media manager. Income and asset thresholds: Do you still qualify? SASSA's verification process checks whether pensioners exceed the following income and asset limits: The income and asset limits for applicants are as follows: for a single applicant, the monthly income limit is R8,070 with an asset limit of R1,372,800; for a married applicant, the monthly income limit is R16,140 with an asset limit of R2,745,600. Grants may be withheld if recipients' income exceeds these limits, even if the money comes from temporary family support or informal income. Payment dates for July and beyond SASSA's official July 2025 grant schedule is as follows: Old-Age Grants: Wednesday, 2 July Disability Grants: Thursday, 3 July Children's Grants: Friday, 4 July Funds will remain in recipients' accounts once deposited, so there's no need to rush to withdraw on payday, SASSA has advised. Remaining payment dates for 2025: August: Tuesday, 5 August September: Tuesday, 2 September October: Thursday, 2 October November: Tuesday, 4 November December: Tuesday, 2 December This round of grant suspensions is part of cost-cutting and anti-fraud measures initiated by SASSA and the National Treasury, which now include: Monthly cross-referencing with Home Affairs, Correctional Services, and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Stricter enforcement of the asset and means test. Encouragement to move from green ID books to smart ID cards to reduce fraud. Despite a R280 billion allocation for social grants in 2025/26, the agency is under pressure to reduce misuse and tighten controls. How to secure or reapply for your grant If you were affected by a suspension or need to apply for the Old-Age Grant, ensure you have the following: Valid South African ID (smart card preferred) Proof of residence Bank statements (last 3 months) Evidence of marital status Proof of income or lack thereof Information on assets or private pensions UIF membership or past employment documentation Will or estate documents if a spouse has passed in the last five years You have 90 days to appeal any unsuccessful application or grant suspension. SASSA contact info For clarification or help: Toll-free: 0800 60 10 11 WhatsApp: +27 82 046 8553 Website: Email: [email protected] Provincial numbers: Eastern Cape: 043 707 6300 Gauteng: 011 241 8320 KZN: 033 846 3324 Western Cape: 021 469 0235 It is worth noting that the full list is available on the SASSA website. SASSA services are free of charge. Never pay anyone for assistance. If you suspect identity theft or fraud: Call the Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701 Email: [email protected] SMS: 39772 IOL NEWS
