Beware of Social Media Scams Targeting SASSA Beneficiaries

Recently, a concerning scam has been circulating on social media, targeting senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

The scam promises an extra R500 for beneficiaries.

However, SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) is urging people to be cautious and only use official channels to verify any information related to their grants.

Understanding Social Grant-in-Aid

Senzeni Ngubeni, a spokesperson for SASSA Mpumalanga, clarified that the social grant-in-aid is not a standalone grant.

This additional support is available to individuals who are already receiving a social grant but are unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental disabilities.

It helps cover the cost of hiring a caretaker for full-time assistance.

In her explanation on February 4, 2025, Ngubeni shared that only those receiving an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, or War Veteran’s Grant are eligible for the social grant-in-aid.

Additionally, applicants must undergo a medical or functional assessment to confirm their need for regular assistance.

Those receiving care from a government-subsidized institution are not eligible for this additional grant.

Official Channels for Information

To avoid falling for scams, SASSA advises beneficiaries to always confirm information directly through official sources.

If you’re unsure about a claim, contact SASSA for accurate details, and never share personal information with anyone claiming to be a SASSA official.

For inquiries about the Older Persons Grant, beneficiaries can call the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 during office hours.

Alternatively, they can email GrantsEnquiriesMP@sassa.gov.za for assistance.

How SASSA Pays the Grant-in-Aid

The grant-in-aid will be paid in one of the following ways:

Cash at a designated pay point on a specific date
Electronic deposit into the beneficiary’s bank or Postbank account
A deposit into an institution’s account if they are acting as the administrator of the grant (e.g., a welfare organization)

The payment will be processed alongside the regular social grant.

If a beneficiary is unable to collect the payment in person, they can appoint someone to collect it on their behalf, either by designating a procurator at the SASSA office or by giving someone power of attorney.

Do You Collect a SASSA Older Persons Grant?

If you are a recipient of the Older Persons Grant

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn