SASSA opens window for payment method change

SA – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will once again open its system for approved applicants to change their preferred method of payment for the special COVID-19 SRD grant.

The window period is scheduled for Monday 31 August to Sunday 06 September, 24 hours a day.

During this period, beneficiaries can change from receiving their grants at the post office to receiving them through their bank accounts. They may also change from one bank to another if they prefer to. Approved beneficiaries of the grant can change their payment method by visiting https://srd.sassa.gov.za during this period.

“When choosing a bank account, ensure that the account is in your name (SASSA cannot pay money for one person into the account held by another) and that the bank account is not closed. The payment process is delayed if money is sent to a closed account, as SASSA has to wait for the funds to be returned before sending it to the Post Office for collection,” said SASSA chief executive officer Totsie Memela.

The payment of the COVID-19 grant is quicker if paid into a bank account. Applicants without bank accounts are thus encouraged to open a bank account. There are many entry-level, inexpensive options in the market – some of which can be opened online. Clients who have just been approved for the relief grant by SASSA and have received an SMS to upload and verify their bank details can do so at any time and need not wait for the window period. The sooner the details are uploaded, the quicker the payments can be made. Any citizen who does not update their information during this window period, or who provides incorrect banking details will have the payments for the remaining months sent through to the Post Office.

Responses to frequently asked questions about this relief grant can be found on the WhatsApp platform on 082 046 8553.

SASSA press release extracts, 25 August 2020