Sassa cracks down on suspected grant abuse

THE SOUTH African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has ramped up its review process to ensure that social grants are only paid to individuals who genuinely qualify for them. As part of this ongoing initiative, beneficiaries suspected of having undeclared income or changes in financial circumstances will be required to verify their eligibility at local Sassa offices.

The review targets individuals flagged during internal assessments as possibly earning additional income that was not reported during the initial grant application or afterwards. These beneficiaries are being asked to present themselves in person to confirm whether they still meet the criteria for receiving support. Those who fail to do so could face temporary suspension of their grants, and further non-compliance may result in permanent termination.

Sassa has reminded beneficiaries that they are legally obliged to disclose all sources of income when applying for grants and must report any financial changes thereafter. Violations of this requirement could trigger corrective measures, including the cancellation of grants and potential fraud investigations.

 The agency has stressed that no grants have been suspended yet. “Sassa has only amended the payment schedule for those beneficiaries who have been requested to come in for a review,” said Sassa national spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.

Letsatsi noted that many beneficiaries fail to update their contact details, resulting in missed communications. “Sassa has thus issued this additional payment date, specifically for persons placed on review, as a means to further communicate with clients that there is a need for them to contact Sassa. Should no contact be made after two months, as per legislative requirements, only then will these beneficiaries' grants be suspended.”

Even during the suspension period, there is a one-month window for affected individuals to approach Sassa to prove continued eligibility. “After this period, the grant will be permanently cancelled and depending on their circumstances, a fraud investigation opened.”

Sassa has also urged beneficiaries to replace outdated green bar-coded ID books with the smart ID card to curb the risk of identity fraud. The agency reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning that any official found colluding with clients to defraud the system will face immediate disciplinary and legal action.

For assistance or further information on the review process, beneficiaries are encouraged to contact the Sassa toll-free line at 0800 60 1011, e-mail GrantEnquiries@Sassa.gov.za, or visit their nearest Sassa office.