Can I Use EasyPay For Sassa Grant Payments?

Millions of South Africans depend on social grants for their livelihood, but recent false claims about new grant payment systems have prompted the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to issue multiple warnings to the public. 

With over 18 million permanent grants disbursed monthly—including the
Older Persons pension grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant, Care Dependency grant, Foster Child grant, Child Support grant —alongside the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant supporting approximately 8 million people, maintaining clarity on grant payments is critical.

Warning Against Fake Digital Payment System Claims

Sassa has urged beneficiaries to ignore misleading information circulating on various platforms about a supposed new digital payment system. In a statement, the agency made it clear that this information does not originate from Sassa and should not be trusted.

Sassa clients and the public at large are advised to ignore the information below as it is FALSE and does NOT come from Sassa

To protect vulnerable citizens from scams, Sassa emphasized the importance of relying solely on its official communication channels for updates. Beneficiaries and the public are encouraged to report suspicious messages or claims to their nearest Sassa office or contact Sassa’s customer service helpline.

The Rollout of New Sassa Black Cards

While addressing the misinformation, Sassa also highlighted legitimate updates to its payment systems, including the introduction of the new Sassa Black Card. This card is an upgrade to the existing Sassa Gold Card, featuring enhanced security features for beneficiaries.

The new Sassa Black Card allows grant recipients to perform three free store withdrawals per month, access one free monthly statement, and ensures no unauthorized deductions from their accounts. To obtain the new card, beneficiaries must locate a designated card replacement center. This can be done by dialing 120218*3# and selecting their province to view available collection sites.

When collecting the new card, beneficiaries must bring their ID. If collecting on behalf of someone else, an official Sassa proxy letter is required. Asylum seekers need to provide an official approval letter from Sassa.

Dismissal of EasyPay Everywhere Partnership Rumours

In a separate statement, Sassa refuted claims that it had partnered with EasyPay Everywhere to launch a “transformative digital payment system.” The reports, which appeared in various media outlets, were labeled inaccurate by the agency.

Sassa reiterated that it has no partnership with EasyPay Everywhere, a financial service provided by Lesaka Technologies (formerly Net1 UEPS Technologies). EasyPay Everywhere primarily serves underserved and low-income communities in South Africa by offering banking and payment solutions, but it is not affiliated with Sassa’s grant payment systems.

Lesaka’s Head of Sales, Simphiwe Phakathi, also distanced his company from these claims, which Sassa acknowledged and welcomed as part of efforts to dispel the rumours.

Public Urged to Stay Cautious During Festive Season

Sassa has called on beneficiaries to exercise heightened caution, particularly during the festive season, when scams targeting vulnerable individuals tend to increase. The agency emphasized the need for media outlets to verify information with Sassa before publishing, to avoid spreading misinformation that could confuse beneficiaries.

We urge our beneficiaries to remain vigilant and avoid being misled by unverified information

Official Grant Payment Methods

Currently, Sassa offers several authorized payment channels, including direct deposits into beneficiaries’ bank accounts and the Sassa Gold Card, which can be used at ATMs and participating retailers.

With the rollout of the new Sassa Black Card, beneficiaries are assured of safer and more convenient access to their grants. These official systems are the only recognized methods for receiving social grants, and any claims suggesting otherwise should be disregarded.