Real-time developments affecting your SASSA grant updated 18 April 2026.
18
Apr
New
April SRD Payments Processing from 24 April
SASSA is processing April SRD R370 payments in batches from 24 to 30 April 2026. If your status shows "Approved", your payment is on the way. Check your status via the SASSA website or the grantZA app to confirm your payment date. Full April schedule →
18
Apr
New
May 2026 Payment Dates Confirmed
SASSA confirms May 2026 payments: Older Persons 4 May (Monday), Disability 5 May (Tuesday), Children's grants 6 May (Wednesday). SRD R370 batches run 25 to 30 May. Workers' Day (1 May) does not affect the schedule. All payments use the new 2026/27 amounts. Full May schedule →
14
Apr
Guide
SRD Declined? Step-by-Step Appeal Guide
Over 1.2 million SRD applications were declined in early 2026, many due to false-positive bank flags. Our guide covers the most common decline reasons, the R628 means test, how to request reconsideration within 90 days, and how to file a formal appeal with the Independent Tribunal (free, no lawyer needed). Read the appeal guide →
10
Apr
Alert
Black Card Swap Reminder for Remaining Beneficiaries
Postbank urges the roughly 800,000 SASSA beneficiaries still on the old Gold Card to swap to the new Black Card before the 31 December 2026 deadline. Rural processing centres in KZN and Eastern Cape are handling up to 2,000 swaps per day. Postbank migration details →
10
Mar
Policy
Livelihoods Grant Consultation Closes 30 April
The Department of Social Development's public comment period on the proposed "Livelihoods Support Grant" closes 30 April 2026. The draft framework ties SRD eligibility to work-seeker registration and quarterly skills programme participation. Submit comments via the DSD website or provincial offices. Livelihoods grant explained →
SASSA Grant Status Check 2026
Complete guide to all 8 grants, April & May 2026 payment schedules, new grant amounts now in effect, SRD appeal process, livelihoods grant transition, troubleshooting, and fraud protection.
South Africa's social grant system supports 26.5 million beneficiaries across eight grant types administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). The 2026/27 financial year is now underway with increased grant amounts active since 1 April: Older Person's and Disability grants at R2,400, Child Support at R580, Foster Child at R1,230. The SRD remains frozen at R370 for the third consecutive year. Total allocation: R292.8 billion. The DSD's public consultation on the "Livelihoods Support Grant" closes 30 April 2026.
This guide covers every method to check your status, the confirmed April and May 2026 payment schedules, the new amounts now in effect, how the R628 means test works (and why 1.2 million were declined in February), the step-by-step SRD appeal process, troubleshooting, and fraud protection. Last updated: 18 April 2026.
Grant Amount Calculator
Select any grant to see the current amount versus the new April 2026 amount with the confirmed increase.
2026/27 Payment Dates Schedule
Payments are staggered over three consecutive days each month. Older Person's grants are paid first, followed by Disability, then Children's and other grants. SRD R370 payments are processed in batches during the last week of each month. If a date falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment moves to the next business day. All amounts reflect the new 2026/27 increases.
Month
Older Persons
Disability
Children's & Other
SRD R370
Apr 2026
Wed 1 Apr
Thu 2 Apr
Fri 3 Apr
24–30 Apr
May 2026
Mon 4 May
Tue 5 May
Wed 6 May
25–30 May
Jun 2026
Mon 1 Jun
Tue 2 Jun
Wed 3 Jun
24–30 Jun
Jul 2026
Wed 1 Jul
Thu 2 Jul
Fri 3 Jul
24–30 Jul
Aug 2026
Mon 3 Aug
Tue 4 Aug
Wed 5 Aug
24–30 Aug
Sep 2026
Tue 1 Sep
Wed 2 Sep
Thu 3 Sep
24–30 Sep
Oct 2026
Thu 1 Oct
Fri 2 Oct
Mon 5 Oct
24–31 Oct
Nov 2026
Mon 2 Nov
Tue 3 Nov
Wed 4 Nov
24–30 Nov
Dec 2026
Tue 1 Dec
Wed 2 Dec
Thu 3 Dec
18–24 Dec
Jan 2027
Mon 4 Jan
Tue 5 Jan
Wed 6 Jan
24–31 Jan
Feb 2027
Mon 1 Feb
Tue 2 Feb
Wed 3 Feb
22–28 Feb
Mar 2027
Mon 1 Mar
Tue 2 Mar
Wed 3 Mar
24–30 Mar
2026/27 Financial Year Now Active: New Amounts in Effect
The new financial year started 1 April 2026. All increased grant amounts are now in effect. April payments are the first under the new schedule. If your April deposit still shows the old amount, it will correct automatically in May. Contact SASSA only if May also reflects the old amount. SRD R370 payments for April are expected between 24 and 30 April in batches. For the full May schedule, see our May 2026 Payment Dates guide.
Five Ways to Check Your Status
You do not need to visit a SASSA office. Use any of these methods from your phone or computer.
Dial *120*69277# or *120*3210# from any phone. No internet needed.
WhatsApp
Message 082 046 8553. Type "Status" and follow the prompts.
grantZA App
Download from Google Play or Apple App Store. Log in to check status instantly.
Toll-Free Helpline
Call 0800 60 10 11 and select the SRD option. Available weekdays.
Understanding Your Status Result
Your SRD status can change every month because SASSA re-verifies eligibility each payment cycle. Here is what each result means and what to do about it.
Status
Meaning
Action Required
Approved
You passed all verification checks for the month. A unique payment date will be generated.
Wait for your individual pay date to appear. Do not reapply.
Pending
Your details are being cross-checked with Home Affairs, UIF, and National Treasury databases.
Wait 7 to 14 days. Normal at the start of each month.
Declined
You failed a requirement, most commonly alternative income detected above R628.
Request reconsideration within 90 days, or lodge a formal appeal. Appeal guide →
Referred
High-risk mismatch detected. Possible fraud flag or duplicate ID issue.
Call the toll-free helpline for manual verification.
Bank Details Pending
Approved, but no valid bank account is linked or bank verification is in progress.
Update banking details via the secure portal immediately.
Identity Verification Failed
Your ID number does not match the Department of Home Affairs database, or your cellphone number has changed.
Update your number on the SRD portal or verify your ID at a SASSA office in person.
Application Not Found
No active application exists for your ID number in the current month.
Ensure you entered the correct ID and phone. If correct, you may need to reapply for the current month.
Payment Failed / Reversed
SASSA issued payment but it was returned by the bank. Common causes: inactive account, name mismatch.
Check with your bank. Update bank details on the portal. Reprocessing takes 7-14 days.
Check Your Status Without Data: grantZA App
Want to check your SASSA status without using mobile data? Download the free grantZA Status Check App and check your status instantly with no data charges. Get it on Google Play →
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The 2026 verification process is more rigorous than previous years. Here are the most common issues and exactly how to fix each one.
Pending for 3+ Weeks
Home Affairs verification, UIF clearance, or credit bureau checks are delayed.
Update your details on the portal to trigger a fresh verification cycle. If still pending after 4 weeks, call 0800 60 10 11 or visit a SASSA office.
Declined: Income Detected
Bank deposits totalling R628+ were flagged. Even family transfers count.
Request reconsideration within 90 days via the SRD portal. Attach 3 months of bank statements and affidavits explaining flagged deposits. See our full appeal guide for step-by-step instructions.
Bank Details Rejected
Account is inactive, name does not match ID, or account belongs to someone else.
Only use a savings or cheque account in your own name. The ID linked to the bank account must match your SASSA profile exactly.
Identity Verification Failed
Your details do not match Home Affairs records. Name change, ID error, or recently updated documents.
Correct your information directly with Home Affairs first, then resubmit to SASSA. Visit a SASSA office with your original ID document.
Approved but No Payment
Status shows approved but no payment date or money has not arrived.
Wait until the SRD payment window (24th-30th). Banks take 2-3 business days to process. If still nothing after 3 days past your date, call 0800 60 10 11.
Payment Failed / Reversed
Money was sent but bounced back. Bank account may be closed, frozen, or name does not match.
Contact your bank to check for reversed transactions. Update your banking details on the SRD portal. Reprocessing takes 7-14 working days.
2026/27 Grant Amounts (Now in Effect)
The increased amounts below have been active since 1 April 2026. Seven of eight permanent grants received above-inflation increases (3.5% CPI). The SRD grant remains unchanged at R370, funded until March 2027 with a R36.4 billion allocation. Total social grant spending: R292.8 billion for 2026/27, supporting 26.5 million beneficiaries.
Grant Type
Previous (Mar 2026)
Current (Apr 2026+)
Increase
% Change
Older Person's Grant (60-74)
R2,315
R2,400
+R85
3.7%
Older Person's Grant (75+)
R2,335
R2,420
+R85
3.6%
War Veterans Grant
R2,335
R2,420
+R85
3.6%
Disability Grant
R2,315
R2,400
+R85
3.7%
Care Dependency Grant
R2,315
R2,400
+R85
3.7%
Foster Care Grant
R1,250
R1,290 (Apr) / R1,300 (Oct)
+R40 / +R50
3.2-4%
Child Support Grant
R560
R580
+R20
3.6%
Grant-in-Aid
R560
R580
+R20
3.6%
SRD (Social Relief of Distress)
R370
R370 (unchanged)
R0
0%
SONA 2026: SRD Grant Being Redesigned
President Ramaphosa announced at SONA 2026 (12 February) that the SRD grant will be redesigned to "more effectively support livelihoods, skills development, work opportunities and productive activity." The R36.4 billion allocated extends the grant until March 2027, after which it will transition into a permanent livelihoods support instrument. Treasury has provisionally allocated R38 billion in 2027/28 and R39 billion in 2028/29. The finer details will be revealed at the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in October 2026.
SONA 2026: Child Support Grant Expansion
President Ramaphosa also announced that government will build on the child support grant to "implement targeted interventions to ensure that pregnant women and low birth-weight children get the protein and nutrients that they need." This signals a potential extension of the child support grant to cover the prenatal period, though specific details and funding have not yet been confirmed.
Coming Soon: Remote Eligibility Testing
President Ramaphosa revealed at SONA 2026 that through the digitisation of government services, applicants for SASSA grants will soon be able to test their eligibility remotely before submitting a full application. This would allow potential applicants to check whether they qualify without visiting a SASSA office or completing the full application process.
2026 Biometric Verification Crackdown
SASSA has significantly tightened its verification processes. All new applicants must now undergo biometric verification (fingerprint and facial recognition), authenticated against records held by the Department of Home Affairs. The crackdown has been the largest beneficiary review in SASSA's history.
By December 2025, SASSA had checked the bank accounts of approximately 6 million clients and 8 million credit bureau records. These data-matching exercises involved partnerships with banks, credit bureaus, SARS, NSFAS, and the government payroll system. The results were significant: 291,581 grants flagged for review, 34,661 grants cancelled (saving R170.7 million), 8,599 grants adjusted under a sliding scale (saving R36.4 million), and 201,000 state employees flagged for receiving grants they should not hold. Treasury projects R3 billion in medium-term savings from enhanced targeting.
What This Means for You
If your grant has been suspended or cancelled, you should have received a notification. Beneficiaries who fail to respond to review notifications risk delayed or permanently cancelled payments. Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID to resolve any biometric verification issues. SASSA has warned that KZN offices in particular have been overwhelmed, with GroundUp reporting hundreds of people queuing daily at branches like KwaMashu. Arrive early (before 7am) to avoid long waits. SASSA's conditional allocation from Treasury requires the agency to improve verification or face budget consequences.
SRD Means Test: The R628 Threshold
The SRD grant is exclusively for individuals with no financial support. SASSA performs a digital sweep of your bank accounts every month. The current income threshold is R628 per month. Any deposits totalling R628 or more, from any source, will disqualify you automatically. The system cannot distinguish between a salary deposit and a family member sending you money for emergencies.
Transaction Type
Effect
Combined deposits below R628
Pass - Eligible
Deposits totalling R628+
Fail - Automatically disqualified
Receiving NSFAS, UIF, or other state grants
Fail - Double-dipping prohibited
E-Wallet or CashSend received
Fail - Tracked as alternative income
Temporary loan from family deposited
Fail - System cannot distinguish from salary
Receiving only the Child Support Grant
Pass - CSG does not disqualify you from SRD
Where to Collect Your Grant
SASSA grants can be collected through multiple channels. You do not need to collect on the exact payment date. Funds remain available in your account until you withdraw them. However, grants left uncollected for three consecutive months may be reversed.
Postbank Card (ATM)
Direct Bank Deposit
Shoprite / Checkers
Pick n Pay
Boxer / USave
CashSend / E-Wallet
Post Office
SASSA Pay Points
Appeal Process: Step by Step
If you are declined unfairly, you can request a reconsideration within 90 days, or lodge a formal appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). Appeals are free and do not require a lawyer. If successful, you receive back-pay for the disputed month(s). For a detailed walkthrough with document checklists, see our complete SRD Appeal Guide.
Submit Your Dispute (Within 30 Days)
Visit srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals or srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals. Enter your ID, cellphone number, and the specific declined month. Provide a clear written reason explaining why the system's rejection was incorrect.
Gather Supporting Documents
Three months of certified bank statements, an affidavit from your local police station confirming unemployment, and a retrenchment letter if recently laid off. If your account had large temporary deposits (e.g., family emergency transfers), explain each one in your motivation letter.
Tribunal Review (Up to 90 Days)
The ITSAA will review your case. Check the tribunal portal regularly using your reference number. Human reviewers assess the evidence you provided. You will receive an SMS notification once your appeal has been decided.
Final Outcome
If successful, you receive back-pay for the disputed month(s). If unsuccessful, you may reapply in the next cycle if your circumstances change. There is no further appeal after the ITSAA decision for that specific month.
Fraud Protection: Never Share Your OTP or PIN
SASSA will never ask for your banking PIN, OTP, or any payment to "unlock" or "speed up" your grant. Only use websites ending in sassa.gov.za. If you receive an SMS with a suspicious link, do not click it. If your phone number was changed without your consent (you stop receiving OTPs), call 0800 60 10 11 immediately to freeze your profile. Criminals use SIM swaps to reroute your payments to supermarket cash collections.
Scam Alert: There Is No "R700 SASSA Grant"
Social media posts claiming SASSA has introduced a R700 grant are completely false. There is no R700 grant. The SRD grant is R370. Posts claiming SASSA has changed its policies to allow foreign nationals access to the SRD grant have also been dismissed as false by SASSA. If anyone asks you to pay money or fill in a form on an unofficial website to receive an "increased" amount, it is a scam. Only use srd.sassa.gov.za for applications and status checks.
Updating Your Banking Details Safely
Log into the SRD portal and select "Update banking details". The system sends an OTP to your registered phone. Enter the OTP to receive a secure link via SMS. Only use a standard savings or everyday cheque account in your own name. The ID number linked to the bank account must match your SASSA profile exactly. Using someone else's account will result in instant rejection. After updating, bank verification takes 7 to 14 business days before it reflects on your dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SRD grant remains at R370 per month throughout the 2026/27 financial year. It did not increase alongside other grants. R36.4 billion has been allocated to extend payments until 31 March 2027. President Ramaphosa announced it will be redesigned into a livelihoods grant linked to skills development. Details will be announced at the MTBPS in October 2026.
Yes. The increased amounts took effect from 1 April 2026 (start of the new financial year). Your April and May payments should already reflect the new amounts. The Foster Care Grant has a two-step increase: R1,230 from April, rising to R1,300 in October 2026. If your April deposit still showed the old amount, May should correct automatically.
May 2026 confirmed dates: Older Persons: 4 May (Monday), Disability: 5 May (Tuesday), Children's and other grants: 6 May (Wednesday). SRD R370 payments will be processed between 25–30 May in batches. Workers' Day (1 May) does not affect the schedule. See our full May schedule for details.
First request a reconsideration within 90 days via srd.sassa.gov.za (click "Request Reconsideration" on your status page). If denied, file a formal appeal with the Independent Tribunal (it's free and you don't need a lawyer). Gather bank statements and affidavits explaining any flagged deposits. Our complete SRD Appeal Guide walks through every step with document checklists.
Pending for up to two weeks at the start of a month is normal. If it exceeds three weeks, update your details on the portal to trigger a fresh verification. If that does not work, call 0800 60 10 11 or visit your nearest SASSA office for a manual review. Common causes: typos in your name or ID, expired verification with Home Affairs, UIF not clearing your record, or system maintenance backlogs.
Yes. You can withdraw your grant at Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers, or USave using your phone number and ID. You can also receive via direct bank deposit, SASSA Gold Card (ATM), CashSend/E-Wallet, or Post Office. If you miss your collection date, funds remain linked to your profile but will be reversed after three consecutive uncollected months.
This is identity theft. Report it immediately to the SASSA fraud hotline and open a case at your local police station. SASSA's biometric verification (facial recognition) was introduced partly to combat this. You will need to visit a SASSA office in person with your ID to have the fraudulent application removed and your identity verified biometrically.
The current SRD grant is funded until 31 March 2027. Treasury has provisionally allocated R38 billion for 2027/28 and R39 billion for 2028/29. President Ramaphosa indicated it will transition into a permanent programme, but the finer details will be announced at the MTBPS in October 2026. The redesign will tie the grant more closely to livelihoods support, skills development, and work-seeker activities. The word "livelihoods" has replaced "basic income grant" in official language, signalling a more targeted, conditional model.
Yes. Receiving the Child Support Grant does not disqualify you from the SRD R370 grant. However, receiving any other social grant (Old Age, Disability, Foster Care, etc.), UIF benefits, or NSFAS funding will disqualify you from the SRD grant.
No. Once you have an active SRD application, SASSA automatically re-assesses your eligibility each month using data from banks, Home Affairs, UIF, SARS, and credit bureaus. You do not need to reapply monthly. However, you should confirm or update your details every 3 months to ensure they remain current. If your application lapses or is cancelled, you will need to submit a new application through the SRD portal.
For the SRD R370 grant, any income or bank deposits totalling R628 or more per month will disqualify you. This threshold is checked automatically each month through bank account sweeps and credit bureau data. Even temporary transfers from family members are flagged as alternative income by the automated system. Keep your account below this threshold if you want to maintain eligibility.
Official Resources
Apply, check status, appeal, and stay informed through official channels only.