The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has flagged some Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant applications due to risks of identity theft or fraud. Payments to these beneficiaries will then have to be suspended until they undergo a complex online biometric verification process.
The recently introduced biometric identity verification system is aimed at reducing social grant fraud. However, the move has sparked concern among advocacy groups who fear that SRD grant beneficiaries won’t be able to access their grant.
Upon its implementation, Sassa explained that the biometric verification process is required for SRD grant applicants who need to update their mobile numbers or banking details and those suspected of identity theft. Sassa may mandate biometric verification to secure grant applications and payments in these cases.
This process requires a smartphone or computer with a high-quality camera, a stable internet connection, and a well-lit environment. Sassa will provide detailed instructions during the transaction.
Failure to complete the biometric verification may result in suspended grants.
The SRD Grant eligibility verification checks conducted by Sassa are usually completed towards the end of the month. However, the late flagging of some SRD applications has led to concerns that many beneficiaries won’t receive grant payments this month as they navigate through the biometric verification process.
Dr Kelle Howson, a senior researcher at the Universal Basic Income Coalition says the timing of the flagging has come late during the payment cycle.
Beneficiaries having their accounts flagged seems to have come quite late in the cycle for June which means that if it takes them some time to go through the required steps, that calls in their ability to get their payments timeously for this month.
The non-receipt of a grant could be disastrous for many individuals who rely on the grant to purchase food and other necessities.
SRD grant beneficiaries are people who are living well below the food poverty line, people who rely on these, what are quite meagre entitlements, simply to avoid starvation.
Howson contends that the broader issue is related to an amendment the DSD made to the regulations governing the SRD Grant which gives the power to cancel payments that have been pending for too long.
If a beneficiary cannot go through these steps because they don't have a cellphone, they don’t have a camera-enabled cell phone, they risk having their payments cancelled even if they were previously approved.
Sassa assures that this is a one-time requirement for unblocking accounts or making high-risk changes and will not affect other grant payments. The agency emphasises its commitment to client safety and minimal disruption for unaffected clients.
