The SASSA September 2026 payment dates have been confirmed, with permanent social grants scheduled for the first week of the month.
Payments will begin with the Older Persons Grant on Wednesday, 2 September. Disability Grants will follow on Thursday, while Children’s Grants will be available from Friday.
However, beneficiaries must also prepare for changes involving grant reviews and SASSA Gold Cards. A new WhatsApp service could also help people check their information without visiting an office.
Confirmed SASSA September 2026 payment dates
SASSA will pay permanent social grants on the following dates:
- Older Persons Grants: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
- Disability Grants: Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Children’s Grants: Friday, 4 September 2026
Children’s Grants include the Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant and Care Dependency Grant.
Grant money remains in the beneficiary’s account after the payment date. Therefore, recipients do not need to withdraw everything immediately.
Waiting for queues at ATMs and retailers to become shorter may provide a safer and less stressful experience.
Beneficiaries under review will be paid later
Some beneficiaries will not receive their money during the normal three-day payment cycle.
SASSA has set aside Monday, 7 September 2026, as a fourth payment day for grants undergoing a review or eLife Certification.
The additional date does not apply to all grant recipients. It is specifically for beneficiaries whom SASSA has identified for verification.
Affected recipients should receive an SMS explaining what they need to do. Consequently, beneficiaries must ensure that SASSA has their correct cellphone number and address.
Anyone who receives a review notification should follow the instructions promptly. Failure to complete the process could result in future payments being suspended or the grant eventually lapsing.
Beneficiaries may need to provide identification, recent bank statements, proof of income and proof of residence. SASSA may request additional documents depending on the grant and the person’s circumstances.
Anyone who is medically unable to visit an office should contact SASSA for guidance about alternative arrangements.
September SRD R370 payment dates
The R370 Social Relief of Distress Grant does not use the permanent grant payment schedule.
SASSA pays the SRD Grant in batches later in the month. Each approved applicant receives an individual date rather than one national payment day.
Applicants should check their status through the official SRD website to confirm when SASSA will process their payment.
Beneficiaries should also remember that banks may take additional time to reflect the money after SASSA releases it.
Current SASSA grant amounts
The following monthly grant amounts apply in September 2026:
- Older Persons Grant: R2,400
- Older Persons Grant for people aged 75 and above: R2,420
- Disability Grant: R2,400
- Care Dependency Grant: R2,400
- War Veterans Grant: R2,420
- Foster Child Grant: R1,290
- Child Support Grant: R580
- Grant-in-Aid: R580
- SRD Grant: R370
Beneficiaries who qualify for a linked grant, such as Grant-in-Aid, may receive that money together with their main social grant.
SASSA Gold Cards face 31 August deadline
The September payment cycle arrives shortly after an important Postbank deadline.
Beneficiaries still using SASSA Gold Cards have until Monday, 31 August 2026, to replace them with Postbank Black Cards.
Postbank has warned that the deadline will not be extended. Gold Cards will stop working after the migration period ends.
Missing the deadline will not automatically cancel a person’s social grant. The money should still be deposited into the beneficiary’s account.
However, recipients may be unable to access those funds with an old Gold Card. They would first need to obtain a Postbank Black Card.
Card replacement is free. Beneficiaries should take a valid South African identity document or temporary ID to a designated Postbank site.
Replacement services are available at selected Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar stores.
Beneficiaries can dial *120*355# to find their nearest card replacement site. They can also contact Postbank on 0800 5354 55 for assistance.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development has raised concerns about the remaining beneficiaries who may struggle to complete the process. Older people, persons with disabilities and residents living far from replacement sites could face particular difficulties.
New SASSA WhatsApp service reduces office visits
SASSA has introduced a WhatsApp self-service channel to make grant information more accessible.
Beneficiaries can save 082 601 0111 and send “Hi” to begin using the automated service.
The platform allows users to check their application progress, view payment information and establish whether they have been selected for a grant review or Proof of Life verification.
Users must complete an identity check before accessing personal information. This process may require a registered cellphone number, one-time PIN and South African ID number.
The new service could help reduce queues at SASSA offices. Nevertheless, beneficiaries must remain alert to criminals pretending to represent SASSA or Postbank.
Card replacement and official SASSA services are free. Beneficiaries should never pay someone who promises to approve an application, release a delayed grant or move them ahead in a queue.
