The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has issued a statement that their beneficiaries will receive their April social grant early to try to lessen congestion at retail stores and banks to minimise the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus).
The agency has said it will prioritise payment to the elderly and disabled.
“It is important to stress that payments on the first two days will be for the elderly and people living with disabilities. This emphasis on prioritising the older person and disability grants is an effort to ease congestion at retailers and bank infrastructure to help minimise the risk of infection,” the statement read.
Beneficiaries are also encouraged to swipe their cards to pay for purchases rather than withdraw cash. Sassa beneficiaries who collect the money at pay points will be provided with hand sanitisers to help prevent the spread of infection.
“Additional cash dispensers will be availed to ensure that there is no overcrowding around one or two dispensers at cash pay points and post offices. This will increase the speed of serving clients to ensure that there is full compliance with provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, as amended,” Sassa said.
