In efforts to enhance the security surrounding grant payments for the social relief of distress (SRD) grant, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) implemented a new biometric identification system. Sassa has said that this initiative aims to curb the risk of social grant fraud.
Who needs to undergo biometric identification?
This biometric identification process is geared towards Sassa grant beneficiaries of the SRD grant. These groups of R370 grant beneficiaries will then need to submit biometric identification:
- If you want to change your phone number which you initially provided to Sassa
- If your records and information you submitted to Sassa were flagged as possible victims or perpetrators of identity theft
Sassa will then need the above category of beneficiaries to undergo biometric identification to confirm that the information provided in their SRD grant applications are legit.
How Sassa SRD Grant Biometric Identification Verification Works
While the exact steps in the Sassa biometric identification process are confidential for safety reasons, Sassa has assured clients that detailed instructions will be provided when using the SRD grant system.
Sassa says biometric verification, particularly facial recognition, is crucial in reducing fraud.
They explain by verifying unique biometric traits, the system ensures that only authorised individuals can access and change beneficiary information. This could guard against someone updating a beneficiary’s bank details to redirect their grant payment to a different account.
Sassa says individuals who do not complete the biometric verification process may face suspension of their grant payments.
