Pretoria: The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has responded to public discourse regarding its ongoing social grants review process aimed at verifying the eligibility of beneficiaries suspected of having undisclosed additional income. The agency emphasized that no social grants have been suspended during this review phase.

According to South African Government News Agency, SASSA clarified that while grants may experience temporary delays, these pauses occur only until a beneficiary completes the review process successfully. The agency stressed that the review is a necessary step to confirm continued eligibility and prevent the misuse of public funds, rather than a punitive measure.

SASSA CEO, Themba Matlou, assured beneficiaries and the public that the review process is intended to safeguard government finances by ensuring grants are allocated to eligible individuals and fraudulent activities are eliminated. Matlou highlighted the legal requirement for beneficiaries to disclose all income sources during their application and to report any financial changes thereafter, underscoring that non-compliance could lead to corrective actions.

He further explained that the review helps identify beneficiaries who might no longer qualify due to financial, medical, or legal changes. It also serves as a verification of life or existence, preventing payments to deceased individuals or those who have moved without updating their records. Additionally, the process helps detect instances where individuals continue to receive grants despite being on other payroll systems.

Matlou noted ongoing efforts to enhance SASSA's local offices' capacity to manage the increased number of individuals seeking services, including those participating in the review. Affected beneficiaries are encouraged to visit their nearest SASSA office with necessary documents, such as identification, proof of income, and other relevant records.

For beneficiaries unable to visit an office, appointing a procurator is an option, and guidance is available at local offices. Compliance with SASSA's review requests is urged, as failure to respond may result in payment delays, suspension, or termination of grants, with potential legal consequences.

SASSA is working on automating the review process by introducing online self-service options to ease beneficiary participation and reduce office queues.