Consider this a stern warning from the agency over SASSA account suspension when the New Year rolls over next week (Wednesday 1 January 2025). Those who ignore history are fated to make the same mistakes, says the infamous saying. And, this time last year, more than 150 000 South African Social Security Agency accounts were suspended without appeal.
The majority of SASSA account suspensions last year pertained to Child Support Grants and, thankfully, sidestepped Older Persons beneficiaries. At the time, SASSA denied ‘technical issues’, saying instead that SASSA accounts suspensions almost always occur when ‘fraudulent activities’ or ‘incorrect banking details’ are detected as part of the monthly verification process.
HOW TO AVOID SASSA ACCOUNT SUSPENSION
The next round of SASSA Old Age, Childcare and Disability Grants take place on the following dates in January 2025:
- SASSA Older Persons Grants: Friday 3 January 2025 – R2 190 (60 yo) / R2 210 (75 yo)
- SASSA Disability Grants: Monday 6 January 2025 – R2 190
- SASSA Children’s Grants: Tuesday 7 January 2025 – R530 (Child Support) / R1 180 (Foster Care) / R2 190 (Care Dependency)
So, what can you do preemptively to avoid a SASSA account suspension and outdo any potential skelms? Quite simply, protect your account as best you can with these simple security steps before the New Year. Recent changes in the biometric verification procedures for SASSA grants make it crucial to maintain active compliance at all times. A simple status check can prevent unexpected payment interruptions and confirm that your documentation remains current in the system. You can do this by contacting:
- SASSA toll-free line: 0800 601 011
- Head Office of SASSA: 012 400 2322
- Email SASSA: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
- Or email: president@presidency.gov.za
ACTIVE COMPLIANCE IS KEY
For Old-Age grants, don’t forget to consider ‘life certification’ – a critical requirement for grant continuation to prove that you are still alive. Likewise, anyone receiving SASSA grants through personal bank accounts should double check their banking details are up to date. If not, any recent changes to bank details must be reported to SASSA immediately to prevent delays and potential SASSA account suspension.
Remember, once you start to social welfare, you never have to reapply for support again. However, your application must be truthful. And the agency reserves the right to request a review of your SASSA account whenever it so chooses. You must, however, receive a written request of the above with three months’ notice.
And for anything related to R370 SASSA SRD status checks you can:
- Go to the SASSA Status Check portal.
- Enter your South African ID in the ID Number section.
- Type in the cell phone number you used to submit your grant application.
- Click on Check Now to submit.
- You’re encouraged to check every month if your grant has been approved.
- You can also WhatsApp SASSA on 082 046 8553
- Email: srd@sassa.gov.za
- Or confirm your SASSA SRD status by using your SASSA-linked phone number and dialling 080 060 1011.
WHY CAN YOUR SASSA GRANT BE REVOKED?
Moreover, aside from SASSA account suspension due to potential fraud, there are several legitimate reasons why you may lose your grant in the New Year. Parents of children on Child Support must ensure they maintain school attendance. Similarly, disability grant recipients must complete their medical review with a government doctor to qualifify.
Likewise, in a broader sense, SASSA officials will always look into the following aspects when reviewing your grant:
- Whether your financial circumstances change and you’re earning more money.
- If you fail to co-operate with any official SASSA questioning while under review.
- You commit any form of fraud and misrepresent yourself and your finances in the application.
- If you’re absent from the country and don’t collect your welfare money for three consecutive months.
ALWAYS BE SAFE
All of this is a timely reminder to safeguard your SASSA account in the event of fraud attempts over the New Year. Good advice, as ever, is to never share your SASSA account details or bank pin with anyone. Even a family member could be coerced by a criminal to share your details. Or, worse still, fraudsters claiming to be SASSA officials. Keep your SASSA particulars in a safe place.
Report lost or stolen SASSA cards immediately and maintain updated contact information on the SASSA Service Portal. Critically, you must complete any pending SASSA bank and ID verification requirements before the New Year. And keep copies of all correspondence with SASSA just in case. By taking these preventive measures, you may can avoid SASSA account suspension in the New Year and start 2025 on the right foot.
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