SASSA has introduced a fourth payment day on Friday 7 August 2026 for beneficiaries selected for grant reviews or eLife Certification. If your grant pays on 7 August instead of the normal 4, 5, or 6 August, you must visit your nearest SASSA office to complete a review — or risk having your grant suspended in September 2026. SASSA sends an SMS to affected beneficiaries in advance.
New reports from Gauteng reveal that many SASSA Older Persons Grant recipients — receiving R2,400 per month — are renting out rooms in their homes and continuing to work well past 65 just to cover basic living costs. With food, transport, medication and utility bills eating through the grant in days, pensioners are sharing survival strategies that highlight the gap between the grant amount and the real cost of living.
SASSA confirmed August 2026 payment dates: Older Persons on Tuesday 4 August, Disability on Wednesday 5 August, Children's grants on Thursday 6 August. A fourth payment day on Friday 7 August applies to beneficiaries selected for grant reviews — those paid on 7 Aug must visit their nearest SASSA office. SRD R370 batches run from approximately 25 August.
Stay up to date with the latest official SASSA announcements, SRD R370 grant updates, payment date confirmations, and policy changes. This page is updated as new information is released by SASSA and the Department of Social Development.
Latest SASSA News — May 2026
May 2026 SASSA Payment Dates Confirmed
Published: 28 April 2026
SASSA has confirmed the official payment schedule for May 2026. All grant types will be paid on the following dates:
Older Persons Grant (R2,400): 5 May 2026 (Tuesday)
Disability Grant (R2,400): 6 May 2026 (Wednesday)
Child Support Grant (R580): 7 May 2026 (Thursday)
SRD R370 Grant: Late May 2026 (variable window, check srd.sassa.gov.za)
Payment dates may shift by one day around public holidays. Beneficiaries are advised to check their status at srd.sassa.gov.za from the 21st of each month.
SRD R370 Grant Extended Through 2026/2027 Financial Year
Published: 15 March 2026
The Department of Social Development confirmed that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 grant will continue through the 2026/2027 financial year. Funding has been secured in the national budget for the full year.
Beneficiaries do not need to reapply if their application is still active. SASSA will continue processing monthly approvals under the existing eligibility criteria.
Postbank Gold Card Swap — Deadline 31 August 2026
Updated: July 2026
SASSA and Postbank have confirmed that all beneficiaries still using the old gold Postbank card must swap to the new black Postbank card by 31 August 2026. Approximately 1.3 million beneficiaries are still on the old card as of May 2026.
What you need to do:
Visit your nearest Postbank branch or SASSA pay point with your green ID book or smart ID card
Your existing gold card balance will be transferred automatically
The new black card cannot be used until activated at a Postbank ATM
Beneficiaries who do not swap by the deadline risk losing access to their grant payments via this channel.
What Is Changing in 2026 — Policy Updates
Proposed Livelihoods Support Grant (SRD Replacement)
The Department of Social Development has published a proposal to replace the SRD R370 with a new Livelihoods Support Grant. The public comment period closed on 30 April 2026.
Key proposed differences from the current SRD:
Requires registration as a work-seeker with the Department of Labour
Includes a quarterly skills participation component
May carry a higher monthly payment than R370
No implementation date has been confirmed. The SRD R370 will continue until formal legislation is passed. SASSA will announce transition arrangements with sufficient notice.
New SRD Identity Verification Process
From March 2026, SASSA introduced enhanced biometric verification for SRD applications. This means some applicants may receive an Identity Verification Failed status during the transition period.
If this affects you, visit your nearest SASSA office with your original ID document. Do not submit a new application — visit in person to resolve the mismatch.
SASSA typically confirms the following month’s payment dates in the final week of the current month. Check this page or the payment dates hub for updates as they are released.
Has the SRD grant amount changed in 2026?
No. The SRD R370 grant amount remains R370 per month. Other grants (Older Persons, Disability, Child Support) did increase from April 2026. See the full grant amounts guide.
Is SASSA replacing the SRD R370 with the Livelihoods Grant?
A Livelihoods Support Grant has been proposed to replace the SRD, but no implementation date has been confirmed. The SRD R370 will continue until the new legislation is formally enacted. Beneficiaries will be given advance notice before any transition.
Where can I find official SASSA press releases?
Official announcements are published at www.sassa.gov.za and www.sanews.gov.za. This page summarises key updates relevant to SRD and grant beneficiaries.
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