If you receive a SASSA grant, knowing your exact payment date helps you plan your shopping, bills, and travel to the pay point. This guide sets out the full confirmed 2026 payment schedule for every grant type, explains how SASSA decides the dates, lists the 2026 grant amounts, and covers what to do if your money does not arrive.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financial year | 2026/2027 (started 1 April 2026) |
| Schedule approved by | National Treasury, 20 March 2026 |
| Payment order | Older Persons first, then Disability, then Children’s |
| Permanent grants paid | Early in the month, over three working days |
| SRD R370 paid | Later in the month, in batches |
| Help line | 0800 60 10 11 |
How SASSA decides payment dates
SASSA pays permanent grants as early in the month as possible, staggered over three working days to ease congestion at ATMs, retailers, and pay points. In most months the older persons grant is paid first, the disability grant the next day, and the children’s grants the day after that.
A few rules shape the calendar each month. Payments are not made on the 1st of the month, on a Monday, or immediately after a public holiday, and they never fall on a weekend. If a scheduled date lands on a weekend or public holiday, the grant moves to the next working day. This is why some months have slightly different dates from the usual pattern.
SASSA payment dates 2026 (full schedule)
The table below shows the confirmed dates for the 2026/2027 financial year, which runs from April 2026. Older persons and war veterans are paid first, then disability and care dependency, then child support, foster child, and grant-in-aid.
| Month | Older Persons & War Veterans | Disability & Care Dependency | Children’s Grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 2 April | 7 April | 8 April |
| May 2026 | 5 May | 6 May | 7 May |
| June 2026 | 2 June | 3 June | 4 June |
| July 2026 | 2 July | 3 July | 6 July |
| August 2026 | 4 August | 5 August | 6 August |
| September 2026 | 2 September | 3 September | 4 September |
| October 2026 | 2 October | 5 October | 6 October |
| November 2026 | 3 November | 4 November | 5 November |
| December 2026 | 2 December | 3 December | 4 December |
Note: SASSA also runs an “exception” payment day each month for beneficiaries whose payments could not be processed on the main date. For August to December 2026 these fall on 7 August, 7 September, 7 October, 6 November, and 7 December.
For January to March 2027, the schedule follows the same early-month, three-day pattern. Confirm the exact dates closer to the time on the official SASSA website, as those months complete the 2026/2027 financial year.
SRD R370 grant payment dates
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 grant does not follow the same fixed schedule as the permanent grants. SRD payments are released later in the month, usually in batches during the final week, after SASSA completes its monthly income verification against SARS, UIF, and Home Affairs records.
There is no single fixed SRD date that applies to everyone. Your personal payment date is assigned once your verification clears, and it is shown on your status page. Check it at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status using your ID number and registered cellphone number. For the full process, see our guide on how to track your SASSA R370 grant application.
SASSA grant amounts in 2026
Seven of the eight permanent grants increased from 1 April 2026. The SRD grant stayed the same. The current amounts are:
- Older Persons Grant (60 to 74): R2,400
- Older Persons Grant (75 and older): R2,420
- War Veterans Grant: R2,420
- Disability Grant: R2,400
- Care Dependency Grant: R2,400
- Foster Child Grant: R1,290
- Child Support Grant: R580
- Grant-in-Aid: R580
- SRD Grant: R370
How you get paid
Grants are paid directly into your bank account, into your Postbank account linked to your SASSA card, or collected as cash at participating banks and retailers such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, Boxer, and Usave. Retail cash withdrawals using your card and PIN do not usually carry an extra charge.
If you still use the older yellow SASSA Gold Card, Postbank has been replacing it with the new Postbank Black Card. Confirm the current swap deadline directly with Postbank or SASSA before you go, as the date has shifted more than once. Your grant is not affected as long as you swap before the cut-off.
What to do if you are not paid on your date
A payment date means the money becomes available, not that you must withdraw it all at once. If your grant has not arrived, work through these steps:
- Confirm you are checking the correct date for your grant type.
- Wait 2 to 3 working days, as banks process payments in batches.
- Check your account balance using your banking app or a USSD code.
- Make sure your banking details on file are correct and your card has not expired.
- If the money still has not arrived, call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 with your ID number, or visit your nearest SASSA office.
For SRD R370 cases, check your status first, since payment depends on your monthly approval rather than the standard grant calendar.
A few tips to get the most from your grant
- Do not rush to withdraw everything on payment day. Funds stay safely in your account, and spreading withdrawals reduces the risk of theft and long queues.
- Try to collect during off-peak hours, as the first weekend after payday is the busiest.
- Keep your contact and banking details up to date to avoid delays.
- Only trust dates from official SASSA channels. Ignore “payment date” posts circulating in WhatsApp groups or on social media.
Frequently asked questions
When is the older persons grant paid each month? It is paid first in the cycle, usually early in the month. See the table above for the exact 2026 dates.
When is the child support grant paid? On the third payment day of the cycle, after older persons and disability grants, because it has the largest number of recipients.
Does SASSA pay on weekends or public holidays? No. If a date falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment moves to the next working day.
When is the SRD R370 grant paid? Later in the month, in batches, after monthly verification. There is no fixed date for everyone. Check your own date on the SRD status portal.
Where can I confirm the official dates? On the SASSA website at sassa.gov.za, or by calling 0800 60 10 11.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information. Payment dates, grant amounts, and rules can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official SASSA website or at your nearest SASSA office.
