Post Office appeals to SRD recipients to wait for SMS before collecting R350 grant

THE SA Post Office (Sapo) has urged Social Relief of Distress (SRD) beneficiaries to collect their R350 grant only after they have received an SMS informing them that their grant is available.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sapo said beneficiaries who opted to collect the grant in person must only visit their nearest Pick n Pay, Boxer supermarket or Post Office once they have received the SMS.

“If you choose a bank account or cash send as your payment method, you will receive the money through the bank you chose, and you cannot go to one of the supermarkets,” said the statement.

It said beneficiaries who have received the SMS and who choose to withdraw their grant from a Pick n Pay or Boxer supermarket must also have their cellphones and identity documents with them.

“The grant will not be available if you try to collect it before you have received an SMS. The SA Post Office has become aware of large numbers of beneficiaries who try to withdraw their R350 SRD grant before receiving their SMS,” said Sapo.

Sapo added that only beneficiaries who chose to receive their grants from the Post Office have the option of also collecting the grant from Pick n Pay or Boxer.

It noted that the first week of every month is set aside for paying old age, disability and child grants. “During this week, SRD R350 grants cannot be paid out,” it warned.