METHODS OF PAYMENT

When you apply for a grant you need to say how you would like the money to be paid. You can receive your grant by the following methods:

• Cash payment on specific days at a paypoint which includes Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Boxer and USave Stores
• Electronic payment into a personal bank account
• Any bank ATM using your SASSA gold card

If you want to have the money paid into a bank account, you must provide the details of your bank account when you make the application. If you want to change the method and place of payment of the grant you can make an application to the local service office. (See Problem 2: Not having a bank account)

If you cannot collect the grant yourself, you may nominate a procurator to collect it on your behalf (See Can another person fetch an applicant’s grant?).

WHEN CAN YOU GET THE GRANT MONEY?

Your first payment can be bigger than the regular monthly payment because the first payment is counted from the date of your application. So if you waited four months after applying, you should get four month’s money in your first payment. (See Problem 4: Long delay in getting grant; See Problem 12: Applying for back-pay)

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR GRANT MONEY?

When you go to collect your grant you must take a valid identity document with you. When you receive the money, count it to check that it is right and then sign or thumbprint for receipt of the money. This is proof that you have received the money. You must not sign or give your thumbprint before you get the money. If something is wrong with the money you must not sign. You must complain immediately to the person who makes the payouts.

CAN ANOTHER PERSON FETCH AN APPLICANT’S GRANT?

If a grant applicant is too old, sick or disabled and cannot get to the SASSA office to fetch their grant, they can sign a paper called a power of attorney to say that another person called a procurator, can fetch the grant. The SASSA office has a special power of attorney form that specifies what details to fill to appoint a procurator. The procurator who will collect the grant on behalf of the sick or disabled person must take the form to the grant applicant. The applicant must sign or put their thumbprint on the power of attorney, in front of a Commissioner of Oaths (for example, a lawyer, church minister, police officer or bank or post office official). The procurator must do the same.

If the applicant is too old, sick or disabled to go to a Commissioner of Oaths to sign the power of attorney, they must ask at least two people (who know the applicant well) to make an affidavit. This is a sworn statement that says the applicant is still alive but they cannot collect their own grant because of sickness or disability. They must sign the affidavits in front of a Commissioner of Oaths.

It is also possible to request a SASSA officer to do a home visit to enable the applicant to complete and sign the Power of Attorney form in front of the official.

The SASSA officer must approve an applicant’s request to let someone else fetch the grant. The SASSA officer can regularly ask to see the applicant or to see some proof that they are still alive. The grant can be stopped if proof is not given that the applicant is still alive. However, the SASSA officer must send a notice to the applicant or give the notice to the person who collects the grant, before the month when the SASSA officer wants new proof. When the procurator goes to collect the grant money, they must produce a valid identity document and an affidavit to prove that they have been authorised to do this. A welfare organisation can also be appointed to collect grants on behalf of beneficiaries, for instance an old age home.

CAN ANYONE CLAIM ACCESS TO A BENEFICIARY’S GRANT MONEY?

All your grant money must be paid to you in full. Deductions can only be made from your grant money if the law believes it is in your best interests. The only lawful deduction which can be made is for a funeral policy, if you have agreed to have this deducted from the grant.

No deductions can be made for moneylenders and creditors, who may also not enter the premises or be within 100 metres of where grants are paid. Moneylenders and creditors may also not hold your ID book or card and you may not cede your grant to another person.