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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is concerned by the increasing number of scams and false information targeting beneficiaries of social grants. The latest false information being circulated is that SASSA offices will be closed during the December month and that beneficiaries will not receive their January payments.

SASSA would like to assure its beneficiaries that all SASSA offices will remain open for business during December and will only close as usual on public holidays like Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year. We urge our beneficiaries to report such acts of criminality to the police so that these scammers can be put behind bars.

Social grant payments for December are currently being made and the process will continue until 15 December at SASSA paypoints. Beneficiaries who use ATM's and shops for drawing their grants can do so till the 22nd December 2018. This was done to allow beneficiaries to do their Christmas purchases ahead of the usual festive season rush.

From January 2018, social grant payments will be paid as usual from the first day of every month. Beneficiaries are urged to contact their local SASSA offices for any enquiries relating to their grant payments or call 0800601011.

Commenting on the latest developments The Acting CEO of SASSA Ms Pearl Bhengu said “All social grant recipients should remain vigilant at this time of the year and never disclose their card details to anyone, including their PIN and ID numbers. I also want to take this opportunity to wish all beneficiaries of social grants a safe and happy festive season.”

Issued by South African Social Security Agency