With April's payments now rolling out under the new 2026/27 grant amounts, attention turns to the May cycle. SASSA has confirmed the May 2026 payment schedule as part of the full-year calendar published on 17 March. The dates follow the standard staggered pattern: Older Person's first, then Disability, then children's grants, with SRD payments closing out the month.
May is the second month of the new financial year, meaning the increased amounts — announced in the April schedule — are now fully embedded in the system. There should be no transitional glitches. If your April payment reflected the correct new amount, May should be seamless.
May 2026 Payment Dates
The following dates are confirmed by SASSA for May 2026. All payments are deposited into the bank account or Postbank account linked to your grant file. Cash collection at post offices and retail partners follows the same dates.
| Grant Type | Payment Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Older Person's (60–74) | Monday 4 May | R2,400 |
| Older Person's (75+) | Monday 4 May | R2,420 |
| Disability | Tuesday 5 May | R2,400 |
| War Veteran's | Tuesday 5 May | R2,420 |
| Care Dependency | Tuesday 5 May | R2,400 |
| Foster Child | Wednesday 6 May | R1,230 |
| Child Support | Wednesday 6 May | R580 |
| Grant-in-Aid | Wednesday 6 May | R580 |
| SRD (R370) | 25–30 May (batches) | R370 |
Workers' Day Does Not Affect May Payments
Workers' Day falls on Friday 1 May. Since Older Person's payments are scheduled for Monday 4 May, the public holiday has no impact on the payment schedule. SASSA only shifts dates when they fall directly on a weekend or public holiday.
Updated Grant Amounts for May
May is the second month under the 2026/27 grant amounts. These increases were confirmed in the February 2026 Budget and took effect from 1 April. If your April deposit already reflected the new amount, May will be identical. If April still showed the old amount due to processing delays, May should correct automatically.
The key increases to remember:
| Grant | Old Amount (Mar 2026) | New Amount (Apr 2026 onward) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Person's (60–74) | R2,315 | R2,400 | +R85 |
| Disability | R2,315 | R2,400 | +R85 |
| Child Support | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| Foster Child | R1,180 | R1,230 | +R50 |
| SRD | R370 | R370 | R0 |
SRD Remains Frozen at R370
The Social Relief of Distress grant stays at R370 per month with no increase for the 2026/27 financial year. This marks the third consecutive year without an adjustment. For context on why and what comes next, see our SRD to Livelihoods Grant explainer.
What to Do If Your Payment Is Late
Payment delays can happen for several reasons: banking detail mismatches, failed biometric verification, pending appeals, or system processing backlogs. If your May payment does not arrive by the expected date, here is what to do:
1. Wait 3 business days. Batch processing means not every beneficiary receives funds on the exact payment date. Allow until Thursday 8 May (for Older Person's) or Friday 9 May (for Disability and children's grants) before escalating.
2. Check your status. Use the grantZA Status Check tool, dial *134*7737#, or visit srd.sassa.gov.za to confirm your grant is active and your banking details are correct.
3. Verify your banking details. If you recently changed banks or your Postbank card was migrated, your payment may be routed to the old account. Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID to confirm and update your details.
4. Contact SASSA directly. Phone the toll-free line at 0800 60 10 11 (Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00) or visit your local office. Bring your South African ID document and any reference numbers from previous interactions.
Postbank Card Holders: Confirm Your Migration Status
If you are still using an old SASSA Gold Card, your May payment may be affected. The Postbank migration deadline is 31 December 2026, but beneficiaries who haven't swapped yet are reporting sporadic payment delays. Swap your card as soon as possible to avoid disruptions.
SRD Payment Window: 25–30 May
SRD payments follow a different pattern from permanent grants. Rather than a single payment date, SASSA distributes SRD funds in batches over the last week of the month. For May, the window runs from Sunday 25 May to Saturday 30 May.
The exact day your SRD payment lands depends on your bank, your province, and your position in the processing queue. There is no way to predict which day within the window you will be paid. The key is to ensure your application status shows "Approved" before the payment window opens.
If your status shows "Pending" after the 20th of the month, your May payment is likely to be delayed. Recheck after 1 June — late May approvals sometimes roll into early June disbursements.
Check Your SRD Status for May
Use our Status Check tool to see your current approval status, payment date, and any pending actions. If your status shows "Declined," see our appeal guide for next steps.
Looking Ahead: June and Beyond
The June 2026 payment dates follow the same staggered pattern. Older Person's grants are scheduled for Monday 1 June, Disability for Tuesday 2 June, and children's grants for Wednesday 3 June. June 16 (Youth Day) falls mid-month and does not affect payment dates.
For the full 2026/27 payment calendar covering all months through March 2027, see our comprehensive April 2026 Payment Schedule article, which includes the complete calendar table.