Many elders from the community eagerly gathered at the Sunrise School Hall on 1st Avenue, in Laudium, yesterday morning, Thursday, June 21, for a meeting held by the LCSA (Laudium Care Services for the Aged), in partnership with SASSA (South African Social Security Agency), to provide information on changes in the grant system, that are due to affect the aged.
The meeting began with an address by Councillor Mahomed Essop who thanked SASSA for their time and effort in assisting the elders in the local community. Thereafter, Hafsa Carrim (deputy chair of the LCSA), highlighted one of the services of the LCSA, which is to help take care of the elders in the community. Hafsa said: "It is the passionate intention of the LCSA to encourage graceful ageing amongst community members. We are also hoping to open up a new community service centre at Bangladesh Heights, in the near future."
Thereafter, Simphiwe Zakhele, SASSA director for the North-Rand region, reminded attendees that SASSA's partnership with the CPS (Cash Paymaster Services) will be terminated, as of September 2018. Thereby, the South African Post Office (SAPO) has officially joined the scramble to replace Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) as the country's social grants distributor, amidst the crisis over payments to beneficiaries. Simphiwe added that as of September 2018, no cash payments would be possible saying that the spike in cash-in-transit heists and the high number of robberies of elderly people who were carrying their entire grant payment, in cash, with them, has fuelled the decision to phase such cash payments out of the system. Simphiwe assured the elderly members of the community that they had no reason to be concerned as various other means, such as having the money deposited into the beneficiaries bank account or collecting the payment from partnership merchants such as, Spar, Shoprite, Checkers and Pick 'n Pay, would be put into place. He said: "We are doing away with cash payments, but there are new benefits for the beneficiaries. Previously, if a person was ill or in hospital they would be unable to receive their payment but now the money can be collected, as from the first day of the new month, or at any time which is most convenient to the recipient, after SASSA payments have been made."
Before the director of SASSA Pretoria concluded his address, Simphiwe told the beneficiaries that as of October 2018, there will be an approximate R90 increase in grant payments, for pensioners.
The final keynote speaker at the event, Nico Marais, SASSA assistant director in the North-Rand region, alerted beneficiaries to the new "card swop process", as the old SASSA cards are due to expire in September. The new SASSA card will be a Mastercard and can be used at most ATM's and merchants, countrywide. When Nico addressed the beneficiaries, he said: "New cards will be issued this week Saturday (June 23) at the Saulsville Community Hall and on Sunday (June 24) at the Atteridgeville Community Hall, between 8am and 4pm on both days. Please be sure to bring your ID and old SASSA card along with you. There will also be a card issuing for local residents at the Civic Centre in Laudium next month, on Monday, July 9. The new SASSA cards will allow up to three free withdrawals at partnership merchants, one free withdrawal at the post office and unlimited free swipes at partnership merchants, per month."
Nico went on to warn beneficiaries about the rife fraudulent incidents that have taken place in order to con the elderly out of their grants. "It's important to use one's card responsibly. Keep your pin safe and if necessary, only share your pin with a family member that you really trust. Refrain from giving your SASSA card to micro-lenders and please report any fraudulent activity, which can be done anonymously on 0800 60 10 11," he said.
Nico added: "If a beneficiary is bed-ridden, as of September 2018, SASSA officials will visit the beneficiary at their house to assist in the card swap process. However, our resources are limited, so we won't be able to come immediately, please give us some time."
The event concluded with an informative question and answer session, where local resident, Mohideen Hasware of Agra Street West, said that he is truly appreciative that SASSA are in the process of negotiating with the banks to decrease, and hopefully eventually eradicate bank fees for beneficiaries, as many elders can lose more than R19 of their grant payment, just to high bank chargers.
*Application forms for the new SASSA payment method, via banks, should be collected from Rookie Soma at the LCSA offices, during office hours (8am-4pm) at the Sunrise School Centre on 1st Avenue.
The many local pensioners present listened attentively to the SASSA keynote speakers.
Pensioner Mohideen Hasware, of Agra Street West, had many questions for SASSA officials.
Hafsa Carrim (deputy chair of the LCSA), highlighted the services that the LCSA offers.
Simphiwe Zakhele of SASSA addressed the crowd at the information session for pensioners, hosted in partnership with the LCSA.