From Wednesday, approved social relief of distress grant recipients can collect their R350 grants from chain stores Pick n Pay and Boxer Stores.
SA Post Office spokesperson Johan Kruger this week, however, said those collecting their grants at these stores, should first make sure that they had received text messages telling them to collect their grants.
“Only grant recipients who have received an SMS from Sassa confirming their collection payout point as either Pick n Pay or Boxer, can use the new collections points.
“During the previous payment period of these grants, about five million South Africans received the grant each month,” Kruger said.
The Pick n Pay collection points will exclude BP Pick n Pay Express, Pick n Pay Clothing and Pick n Pay Liquor stores.
The system will also relieve pressure on post offices, Kruger said.
Omnichannel and Pick n Pay retail executive John Bradshaw said: “Pick n Pay and Boxer are proud to assist grant beneficiaries to access their funds more conveniently and safely, ensuring that they receive much-needed relief quicker than before.
“Pick n Pay and Boxer do not manage the application and approval of grant funds, or when and where collections can be made. This process is run entirely by Postbank.” Bradshaw said.
Kruger provided the steps for recipients to follow when collecting their grants at the stores, which requires that:
- The grant applicant receives an SMS from Sassa confirming their successful application;
- A grant beneficiary will receive an SMS message from Sassa confirming collection point and advising on the day of collection;
- The beneficiary must take their ID and physical cellphone (number registered at Sassa) along to the store when collecting their grant;
- Enter ID number and the registered Sassa cellphone number at the till point to confirm the funds are available for collection; and
- Beneficiary immediately receives an unstructured supplementary service data message to which they must approve on their cellphone before the cash is handed over.
Kruger said: “Beneficiaries will never be asked to enter personal information on their cellphones or to click on a link.”
-DispatchLIVE