Protect Yourself in 2024 with Fraud Alert from SASSA for Grant Beneficiaries

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has over the past few months issued a warning that fraudsters are engaging in activities against grant recipients. It is therefore important to be aware and vigilant at all times because fraudsters are constantly inventing new ways of targeting the people. Based on this, SASSA urged grantees in an alert on fraud published in December 2024 to be careful when using services such as SASSA status check and to check SASSA payment dates and details. In this blog, information about different SASSA grant categories that are likely to be available in 2024, requirements for each grant, the trending frauds, and measures that can be taken by grant beneficiaries will be enumerated.

What SASSA Grant Types Will Be in Place in 2024?

SASSA provides grants to the residents and citizens of South Africa to assist the needy in the following grants. These grants are in existence as of 2024.

Grant for Social Relief of Distress (SRD)

The SRD Grant offers short-term financial assistance to South Africans without jobs, refugees, asylum seekers and holders of special permits between the ages of 18 and 60 who are not eligible for other grants. The monthly grant amount is R370. It is essential for people going through short-term difficulties.

Child Support Award

Assistance for children’s parents living in low-income households. Children receive a grant of R530 and orphaned children receive R780. You must be a caregiver with a low household income to qualify for this grant.

Foster Child Grant

Supporting foster parents in their efforts to care for children placed in their legal custody is the goal of the Foster Child Grant program. The child’s grant amount is R1180. This grant is available to foster parents whose children are in legal foster care.

The Care Dependency Grant

This grant is intended for parents of children who need round-the-clock care due to severe disabilities. The grant amount is R2190 for a month. This grant is available to caregivers of children with severe disabilities under the age of 18.

Disability Grant

People who are unable to work due to physical or mental conditions can receive financial assistance through this grant. The grant amount for a month is R2190. You must provide medical documentation of your disability for this grant to be provided.

Grants for Older People

Citizens 60 years of age and older are eligible to receive financial assistance through the Older Persons Grant. The grant amount is R2190 for individuals aged 60 to 75 years. The grant amount for people over 75 is R2210.

A Grant-in-Aid

Grant-in-Aid is a program offered by SASSA to individuals who require full-time care and extra financial assistance. The monthly grant amount is R530. You must already be receiving grants for older people or people with disabilities to be eligible for this grant

The War Veterans Grant

Veterans who are unable to sustain themselves financially are assisted by the War Veterans Grant. The grant amount for a month is R2210. This grant is available to Korean War or Second World War veterans.

How Can You Qualify for Every Kind of SASSA Grant?

Eligibility requirements for each SASSA grant vary depending on age, family situation and income. Below is a summary of the updated eligibility criteria.

Grant for Older Persons

You ought to be at least 60 years of age. Income should be less than R92520 for single people and for couples less than R185040.

The Disability Grant

You ought to be between the ages of 18 and 59. A medical certification of a recognized disability is required. It should be income. below R185040 for couples and R92520 for singles.

Child Support Grant

You should look after a child under the age of eighteen. Couples should make less than R120000 and singles should make less than R60000.

The Care Dependency Grant

Self-employed – caring for a severely disabled child under 18 years old. Those must be earning less than R 92520 per year for singles. It should be less than R 185040 for couples.

Foster Child Benefit

Foster Child Grants exist for foster parents of foster children at the age of or under eighteen years. The income should not exceed R 92520 and R 185040 respectively for single and couples.

Grant in Aid

Applicants for Grant-in-Aid are people with disabilities or old people who need care every day. Single applicants should earn an income of less than R92520 while couples should earn less than R185040.

SRD grant

The SRD Grant is for persons who are temporarily in need and cannot qualify for any grant. For single people, income should be less than R 92520 and the amount should be less than R 185040 for couples.

Common Scam Techniques That Grant Recipients Should be Aware Of

Beneficiaries of SASSA must remain vigilant due to the rise in fraud that targets vulnerable people. Among the most prevalent scams you should be aware of while doing the SASSA status check are the following.

Fake WhatsApp messages

When scammers pretend to be SASSA agents, they may ask recipients for private information such as One-Time Pins (OTPs) related to SRD grants.

Websites that are phishing attempts

Users are tricked into entering personal and financial information by fraudulent websites posing as legitimate SASSA platforms.

Scanning a Card

Criminals tamper with SASSA cards in order to steal money from the accounts of beneficiaries.

Safety Measures that Grant Recipients Can Take

A number of safety guidelines have been released by SASSA to shield beneficiaries from fraud.

Protect Personal Data

Never give out personal information to unreliable sources such as your PIN ID number or banking details.

Confirm the Official Correspondence

Only rely on SASSA’s approved channels of communication. The official SASSA website is the place to go for grant updates.

Bring to Light Any Suspicious Activity

Please get in touch with SASSA right away if you think you may have been targeted by email at [email protected] or by calling their fraud hotline at 0800 60 10 11.

Utilize Safe Resources

Always use the official SASSA website for your SRD status check appeals and payment date.

Rely on SASSA & Loans to Stay Current and Secure from Scams

Visit SASSA & Loans to find current and accurate information about SASSA grants payment schedules and system safety. We offer practical guides on a variety of social security topics including SASSA grants and the SASSA status check tool to keep you informed and safe. These tools are made to give you correct information and shield you from scams. We can help you with any of your grant-related needs including understanding eligibility requirements, checking your grant status and receiving updates on payment dates. You can rely on SASSA & Loans for anything pertaining to SASSA. Get the best advice for your needs by visiting SASSA & Loans right now.

FAQs:

1. why does it say failed when I check my SASSA status?

A failed status check indicates that the system was unable to locate your information using the ID details you provided. You might have to visit an SASSA office to personally confirm your information.

2. What is the duration required to appeal for the SASSA Status Check?

The review and processing of the appeal for the SASSA status check can take up to 90 days on average. You can complete the process online via the official SASSA website by entering your South African ID number and the contact information you used to apply.

3. How can I access my bank account information online?

You can check the details of your bank account by using the mobile app or by logging into your online banking portal of the bank. The majority of platforms have a specific area where your account number is displayed.