The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), in collaboration with registered credit bureaus, has identified approximately 210 000 social grant beneficiaries nationally, including 25 612 in the Free State, who appear to be receiving an income that was not truthfully disclosed to the agency.
In accordance with the Social Assistance Act and its regulations, beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application.
They are also obligated to inform Sassa of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved.
Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the act and may result in corrective action.
As part of this initiative, social grant payments for 11 692 affected beneficiaries in the Free State will be delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle.
These individuals are required to present themselves at their nearest Sassa local office for a grant review, in accordance with Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act.
Beneficiaries who fail to comply with this process risk having their grants
suspended.
Continued non-compliance may lead to the permanent lapsing of their grants.
This initiative is aimed at ensuring that beneficiaries confirm any changes in their financial circumstances and for them to update their personal details.
It also seeks to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system.
A certain beneficiary may well have qualified for a grant at the time of their application, but improved material conditions over time may render them ineligible for the grant.
For more information on grant reviews, beneficiaries are urged to contact the Sassa toll-free customer care line on 0800 60 1011, or to alternatively send an email to GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.
