If you receive your social grant from a pay point or from a bank, you must re-register on the new biometric-based payment system.

This was announced by Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini at a media briefing on 17 February. According to the Minister, the South African Social Service Agency (SASSA) will start with the process of verifying and re-registering beneficiaries in March.

The enrolment / re-registration process will unfold in two phases.

Phase One, The Interim period

From 1 March 2012 to end of May 2012:

• During this period, particularly from 1 April 2012 you should continue to collect your grants at your respective pay points including banks. It is business as usual, but you will be issued with a new CPS Smart Master Card. 
• As a new beneficiary, you will be enrolled on to the new biometric-based payment system as from 1 March 2012 at SASSA local office.
• Enrolment cut off
• There will be a cut-off date for enrolment after the interim period.
• If you do not enrol by the cut-off date, you will not receive payment as the system will not be able to recognise you.

Phase Two, Bulk enrolment

From 1 June to 31 December 2012:

• If you are an existing eligible beneficiary, including a bank beneficiary and a child, you will be enrolled on the new biometric-based payment system at SASSA pay points, local offices and designated sites
• SASSA will conduct home visits for beneficiaries over 75 years of age and bedridden beneficiaries at their homes and institutions such as hospitals.
• You will be issued with a SASSA branded smart-card.

Benefits of the new system are:

• As a beneficiary, you will be able to use your SASSA branded card anywhere in the country.
• The system will allow you, as the right person, to be paid the right amount.
• To allow your life certification monthly
• The system will provide a service of R16.44 (inclusive of VAT) which translates into R2 billion per annum – a saving of R800 million per annum from the previous contracts.
• The improved biometric-based payment system will minimise fraud and corruption
• Beneficiaries will be enrolled within close proximity of the communities where they live

Review process

Beneficiaries of the following grants will be reassessed in terms of the eligibility criteria, for the grants they are receiving.

Reviews are required from beneficiaries who:

• Declared means
• Are receiving a disability grant and the doctor has indicated the circumstances may improve
• Receive foster child grant, on expiry of the court order
• Are in receipt of a grant under a refugee ID
• Any time that information is required from the beneficiary
• If possible fraud is suspected