ELDERLY citizens who received double grants in December will not be paid this month.
Their next grant is scheduled for February 5.
According to the deputy prime minister’s office, the January payment was already issued on December 24. The clarification follows confusion among elderly beneficiaries who had expected their monthly grant in January after receiving two payments in December.
Beneficiaries were paid a total of E1 200 in December, after receiving the grant twice in the same month.
The double payment caused uncertainty, with some elderly people believing the extra amount was a Christmas gift from government, following reports of an early festive season payment.
When no payment was received on January 5, many elderly citizens raised concerns, believing the December disbursement was separate from their January entitlement.
The DPM’s office clarified that beneficiaries already on government grant payroll had received their January grant early, on December 24. Elderly citizens receive E600 per month.
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In December, payments were made on the 5th and again on the 24th, with the latter serving as the January grant.
DPM’s office Communications Officer Zanele Dlamini confirmed that beneficiaries were paid twice in December so as to allow them to enjoy the festive season.
“They were paid their January grant on December 24 for convenience, so that they could have funds during Christmas,” she said.
Dlamini added that the payment schedule would return to normal next month, with the next grant expected on February 5.
She further explained that some elderly people did not receive any payment in December, noting that these were individuals who turned 60 years old in November or December and were still being processed for inclusion in the system.
“They are currently being added to the payroll and will receive their grant this month,” she said.
She apologised for any inconvenience caused by the situation.
Dlamini noted that this arrangement was not new and that beneficiaries who had been on the government payroll in previous years were familiar with the process.
She said confusion may have mainly affected those who had only recently started receiving the elderly grant.
