The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, also known as the R350 grant, has put many beneficiaries on the radar of fraudsters hoping to cheat unknowing clients of their share of government assistance.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in Mpumalanga has now advised beneficiaries to continue to update their contact details to ensure that they are still accurate and steer clear from scammers.
This comes after the provincial branch agency received several calls from SRD grant recipients who were upset that their contacts had changed according to an announcement made to them by the agency.
Beneficiaries must note that there is a circulating WhatsApp message where scammers are offering to assist applicants in submitting their applications. By surrendering personal details to strangers they can change the contact details on behalf of the applicant.
Sassa has also cautioned recipients of the SRD grant to apply by themselves or ask a person they trust and have access to see or visit them. The agency also emphasised that beneficiary contact details cannot be changed without the applicant making a request to Sassa's official customer care.
The agency added that to change their contact information, R350 grant beneficiaries must first provide their identity number. Following that, they will receive a one-time password (OTP) on their cell phone. The official will then ask for the OTP so they can update contact information.
Sassa has further urged recipients of its R350 grant to update or confirm their contact information by going to their official website, https://srd.sassa.gov.za. You can use this website to change your contact details and banking details with Sassa.
For more information, beneficiaries can call the agency between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00 on weekdays at 0800 60 10 11 or 013 574 9428/9363.
Every month up until March 2023, all active SRD R350 grant applications or reapplications submitted since April 2022 will be automatically considered. Existing applicants should also update their screening questionnaire replies on Sassa's official website at any time to reflect changes in their circumstances or to correct any errors.
The Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) is intended for South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, and special permit holders who are 18 to 60 years old have insufficient means, do not receive social grants on their behalf, are not eligible for or do not contribute to the UIF payment, and have no other financial support.
