The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has revealed the amount of permanent social grant receipts has increased to 18 million monthly social grant beneficiaries. This was revealed in the Social Development Portfolio Audit Outcomes.
The number of social grants in payment increased from 18 572 195 at the end of March 2021, to 18 677 339 at the end of March 2022, at a cost of R190.247 billion. This represented a growth of approximately 1.28%.
These permanent grants include the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support grant, Foster Care Grant, Grant in Aid, War Veterans Grant and the Care Dependency grant.
It's important to note that the 18,6 million grant beneficiaries does not include the individuals benefiting from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. While the SRD grant’s implementation has been extended to 2024, it has not yet been made permanent.
Sassa revealed that they serviced more than 28 million beneficiaries, including SRD grant beneficiaries by the end of March 2022. This equated to around 48% of the population, meaning almost half of South Africa’s population are dependent on social assistance.
Sassa makes payments to grant beneficiaries in several ways. This can be done via a grant beneficiary Sassa Card, through CashSend or directly into a beneficiary's bank account.
Permanent grants are paid to beneficiaries on the second day of every new month. However, if the second day of a month falls on a weekend or public holiday, grants will be distributed on the following working day.
In November, beneficiaries of permanent grants were advised to make alternative arrangements as system glitches meant that they could not collect their grants at the post office.
Sassa grant beneficiaries who have a Sasssa gold card to make purchases at any retailer that accepts bank card transactions as the Sassa gold cards function fully within the national payments system similarly to any other bank card.
