#COVID-19: SASSA makes special arrangements for beneficiaries

19 Mar 2020 | Kwanele Mketeni

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced special arrangements for social grant beneficiaries.

This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared South African to be in a state of national disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act.

This follows the Coronavirus outbreak, which has already recorded 150 cases of transmission in the country.

While Ramaphosa has put a ban on gatherings of more than a 100 people, SASSA said on Thursday it had the following measures in place for recipients:

Limit the number of people allowed into its local offices to less than a 100 at a time.
The organisation has suspended all home, clinic and hospital visits with immediate effect. Clients above 75-years of age, bedridden or unable to report to their local offices can choose a proxy to act on their behalf. (To be appointed in writing with all necessary documentation)
It has also advised beneficiaries to avoid collecting their grants on the first day of payment due to high pedestrian traffic at shopping malls and other outlets. Once SASSA has paid money into a beneficiary’s account, the money will stay there and can be accessed at any day of the month.
The Agency announced it would also manage and limit the number of clients at various pay-points not to ensure only less than 100 people receive help at a time.

The institution added that it would closely monitor its social media platforms and a toll-free number to respond to all inquiries their clients might have.