AS the country wraps up what could have been the longest February, Sassa beneficiaries can look forward to a week of cash out.
But brace yourself, you still have five more dates until your March cash is in.
Here are your Sassa dates for March:
March Sassa grant payment dates:
Older Persons’ Grants: Tuesday, 5 March
Disability Grants: Wednesday, 6 March
Children’s Grants: Thursday, 7 March
Sassa has been a hot topic for the past two months. From politicians using the fund as a "weapon to garner votes" to Post Office unveiling cashless ATM for Sassa grants as of 1 April and finally possibilities of a grant increase.
Truly, January and February were a handful for many beneficiaries of social grants. As a result, Daily Sun brings you up to speed with the latest developments in the fund.
During his 2024 budget speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that there would be a few increases to the social security grants.
These increases include grants for the elderly, war veterans, people living with disabilities and child support, among others.
- An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October
- A R50 increase to the foster care grant.
- A R20 increase to the child support grant.
These increases, according to the minister, are intended to "keep pace with inflation".
"We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet," Godongwana said in his budget speech.
However, the same cannot be said for the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant amounting to R350, as there will be no increases yet.
But Godongwana did not rule out increase possibilities as he said that work was currently underway to improve the fund.
"In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows.
"In April this year, national Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations.
"These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework. For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised," said the minister.
In the meantime, Sassa benefits are reminded that as of 1 April ques at the Post office will be the thing of the past.
This comes after the South African Post Office (Sapo) started closing cash payment points for social grant recipients after the initial announcement in December 2023.
According to Postbank spokesman Bongani Diako, beneficiaries using Sassa Gold Cards will from 1 April start collecting grants at ATMs and retailers such as Boxer, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers and Usave using the same cards.
