Pensioner says changing SASSA payment dates left him without cover and free electricity

According to The South African, Free State pensioner July Miya says shifting SASSA payment dates have upended his household finances, causing missed insurance payments and the loss of free electricity coupons.

Payment timing, not amount, is the pressing problem

Miya has relied on the Older Persons Grant for more than five years and receives the R2,400 grant directly into his bank account, according to The South African. He told the publication that the problem is not the grant amount but when it arrives: the timing of payments has created practical hardships.

Missed debits and expired coupons

“The 1st of each month payments were the best day, this thing of changing dates now and then has caused misery to most recipients, cancelling most of our insurances and losing free electricity coupons due to no fixed date for payments,” Miya told The South African.

The South African reports that, as a result, insurance premiums that once debited reliably now miss their mark and free electricity coupons tied to specific payment windows have lapsed.

Household impact

Miya supports between three and five dependants on a single grant, The South African says. He rents privately and uses the grant mainly for food and groceries, and he confirmed to the publication that his money regularly runs out before the month ends, leaving his family exposed during the final stretch of each cycle.

Access and awareness

Despite the financial strain, The South African reports that Miya described his overall experience with SASSA as “very good” when it came to his application and payments. He also told the publication he was never informed about additional support programmes that might have eased the pressure.

The South African ran a SASSA survey and invited grant recipients to share their stories, offering respondents a chance to win R2,000, the publication says.