Sassa has advised beneficiaries of social grants not to unnecessarily and frequently change their payment method or bank details, as this can delay payments or lead to payment problems.
On Wednesday, Sassa said beneficiaries have the right to choose how they want to receive their grants, but changes can cause problems if an account is changed shortly before a payment date. This can mean the change is not processed in time for the next payment. Errors in new bank details or accounts that have not yet been fully activated and verified by the bank can also result in payments being rejected and returned.
The agency says stable bank details help to receive benefit payments without interruption. Every change of bank details must be verified to protect beneficiaries and public funds against fraud and identity theft. Sassa says it is also aware that some beneficiaries change bank accounts due to existing financial obligations, such as loans or other debit arrangements.
Sassa warns that changing a bank account does not end a beneficiary's contractual obligations to a lender or other creditor. Beneficiaries who experience problems with loan repayments or other financial obligations are advised to seek appropriate financial advice and contact their financial institution directly.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
