The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will begin the payment cycle for the 2026/27 financial year with older person’s grants to be paid on Thursday, April 2, and the disability and children’s grants on April 7 and 8 respectively.

Sassa urged its beneficiaries whose grants are not paid on these dates to visit their nearest office immediately.

Additionally, the Covid-19 social relief distress grant will be paid on April 29 and 30.

In a press statement released on April 1, the agency said it is continuing with its drive to ensure that it pays the right social grant to the right person, with its social grant reviews and life certification initiatives.

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Social grant reviews and life certification are critical in confirming continued eligibility, preventing payments to deceased individuals or ineligible beneficiaries, and detecting fraud. These processes help protect public funds, maintain the integrity of the social assistance system, and ensure that support is directed to those who genuinely qualify.

Reviews also assist in keeping beneficiary information up to date, improving communication and service delivery.

The Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 places a legal obligation on beneficiaries to fully disclose all sources of income and material personal information at the time of application, and to report any changes in their circumstances, thereafter, as required by Section 14(5) of the act.

While a beneficiary may have qualified at the time of application, changes in circumstances must be reported to Sassa to ensure continued eligibility.

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Beneficiaries who fail to comply with review or life certification requirements may have their grants suspended, with continued non-compliance potentially resulting in the lapsing of grants.

Beneficiaries are, therefore, reminded of their obligation to inform Sassa of any changes to their personal circumstances, including contact information, marital status and income, to avoid their grants being suspended or lapsed.

The agency said efforts are aimed at preserving the sustainability of the social assistance system and ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.