In recent weeks, there has been widespread misinformation circulating on social media, claiming that the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will pay double social grants to recipients in June.
Sassa has swiftly responded, calling these reports completely false and urging beneficiaries not to fall for such rumors.
False Claims of Double Payments
According to Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi, the rumors regarding double payments are baseless. These false claims, particularly spread on social media, are not true.
Letsatsi emphasized that beneficiaries should not expect any additional payments in June. He referred to these rumors as fake news, urging people to disregard them.
Official Announcements on Social Grant Increases
As per a policy statement made by the Ministry of Finance in March, an increase in social grant payments was officially announced, which took effect in April.
Another increase is scheduled for October. Letsatsi made it clear that any other claims of increases not made by credible authorities should be considered untrue.
Clarification on New Rules for Grant Payments
Letsatsi also addressed rumors about new rules being introduced for social grant payments. He confirmed that no such rules had been implemented.
The only significant change pertains to verification processes for targeted beneficiaries in the May 2025 payment cycle.
These beneficiaries, who use alternative forms of identification (other than the standard South African identity number), are being encouraged to update their information at Sassa offices.
Additionally, some beneficiaries are undergoing means testing to check if they have undisclosed income or bank accounts. This process is part of Sassa’s efforts to ensure the accuracy and integrity of grant distribution.
Stay Informed through Official Sources
Sassa has urged its beneficiaries to rely solely on official information from credible sources, particularly their official social media channels.
The agency is advising people to verify the authenticity of any information before sharing it to prevent the spread of false claims that can cause unnecessary anxiety among beneficiaries.
The recent rumors about double payments and changes to social grant rules have been officially debunked by Sassa. Beneficiaries are advised to trust only information from credible, official sources.
With scheduled increases already announced for April and October, Sassa continues to ensure that grant distributions are accurate and transparent.
FAQs
Will Sassa be making double payments in June?
No, the rumors claiming that Sassa will pay double payments to beneficiaries in June are completely false. These claims have been dismissed by Sassa.
Is there any increase in social grant payments for June?
No, there are no additional increases for June. The social grant increases were officially implemented in April, with another scheduled increase in October.
What are the verification processes for social grants?
Sassa has introduced a verification process for targeted beneficiaries who use alternative identification methods. These individuals are encouraged to update their information at Sassa offices.