By Kaya 959 News
People applying for the R350 COVID-19 grant can now use WhatsApp to register to continue receiving monthly payments.
Sassa confirmed that applicants can also use Facebook and the Government Chat app to register.
Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that the special COVID grant would continue with the first payment expected at the end of August.
However, a flurry of visitors to the site caused it to slow down significantly.
Sassa spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi, said when the system was opened, there were 2, 000 applications within a minute.
What must I have ready when applying for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant? #SASSACARES #Covid19SRDGrant @The_DSD @nda_rsa @PostofficeSa @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/GOEfFketKp
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) August 6, 2021
Stern warning for public servants
Meanwhile, a warning has been issued to public servants to avoid the temptation of applying for the R350 special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant.
Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, reported that approximately 40 000 public servants applied for the R350 relief grant in May last year and 241 of the public servants received the grant.
Department of Public Service ad Administration DG, Yoliswa Makhasi, said it was concerning that public servants saw nothing wrong with applying for the grant despite earning salaries.
“The SRD is intended to provide relief to the poor and financially distressed citizens in the country,” she said.
Makhasi said this amounts to fraud and the DPSA will assist in strengthening controls to prevent public servants from accessing the SRD grant.
She said DPSA will also give support to ensure that money is recovered from public servants who wrongfully benefited and that their cases are referred to the law enforcement agencies to take action on such officials.
“I want to reiterate that any official who receives any form of income from the public service, does not qualify for this grant and may not apply for it as it is tantamount to stealing from the poor,” Makhasi said.
People who do not qualify to receive the grant include public servants on the Persal system, those on internship, Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), learnership or any developmental program and receive a form of stipend from the government.
For how long will the Special Covid-19 SRD Grant be paid out? #SASSACARES #Covid19SRDGrant @The_DSD @nda_rsa @PostofficeSa @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/Fo2MVcDt6F
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) August 6, 2021
What should you do when your Special Covid-19 SRD Grant is declined? #SASSACARES #Covid19SRDGrant @The_DSD @nda_rsa @PostofficeSa @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/zvPgPAny3r
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) August 6, 2021
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