The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has asked grant beneficiaries to ensure that the cell phone number they used when applying for the R350 Social relief of Distress (SRD) Grant.

In a statement SASSA said, ‘Applicants of the special COVID-19 SRD grant should please ensure that the cellphone number they use has gone through the RICA process if they choose to be paid through cardless banking at an ATM.

The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act (RICA) is a South African law that regulates the interception of communications and associated processe. The law requires citizens to register their sim cards in order to be RICA compliant.

SASSA says that the pins needed when drawing your SRD grant are sent to the cell phone number during the application process. This makes it crucial for your number to be valid and RICAed in order to receive your money.

To change your number you can call SASSA’s call centre on 0800 60 10 11.

SRD grant applicants can also request for their number to be updated on the system by sending an email to [email protected]

SASSA has also asked grant beneficiaries who chose to receive their money via the cardless method at an ATM to ensure that the banking account is in their name.