Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries have welcomed a government decision to make the money accessible at different retail stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the introduction of the grant more than two years ago, beneficiaries had to stand in long queues at different post offices to access the money. However, that is set to change. On Tuesday 10 May, the South African Post Office (SAPO) announced that it would no longer pay the grants and advised applicants and beneficiaries to use some of the country\u2019s leading retailers to get their grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe SA Post Office strongly advises beneficiaries to include this option: Post Office branches no longer pay out SRD grants, and the collection point has moved to these supermarkets. If you have already reapplied for your SRD grant, you can still select the option to collect your grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave. Log on to srd.sassa.gov.za and respond to the security SMS you receive on your phone. You can then include merchants in your application and submit the updated application. Beneficiaries must have their own cell number to withdraw their grant at supermarkets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you do not have your own number, it is best get your own SIM card and use that number to apply for your grant. You can also change your cell number on the above website. Beneficiaries will be assisted to reset card pins at the cash pay points. The card can then be used at merchants at ATMs,\u201d the statement read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries can still collect their grants from any post office branch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beneficiary Nandipha Siswana from Samora Machel said the move will make their lives easier. \u201cI\u2019m happy now because everything is going to be quick. It will be easier to get our money than before.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Siswana said she previously stood in a line for more than two hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another beneficiary Lusanda Mafuya, also from Samora, said the changes were long overdue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe government should have noticed that paying people at the post office won\u2019t work. I applied for my grant while I was still at Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape in 2021. The post office used to be full and we had to go to the nearest towns like Engcobo or Queenstown in order to get it,\u201d she said, adding that now is going to be easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said the retailers are all within a walking distance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries have welcomed a government decision to make the money accessible at different retail 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