Thousands of Sassa beneficiaries across the country face grant payment delays after failing to comply with mandatory review requests.  

In a statement, Sassa said the beneficiaries have been flagged for delayed payment and will not receive their grants until they comply with requests to present themselves for a grant review.  

“Grant reviews are not intended to exclude deserving beneficiaries from the social assistance system. They are an important mechanism to ensure that social grants reach those who continue to qualify in terms of the Social Assistance Act,” the agency said.  
 
Lungelo Mkamba, a senior manager for communication and marketing at Sassa in Gauteng, explained that through enhanced data verification and validation processes, the agency identified more than 420 000 grants for review during the 2025/26 financial year.  

“More than 240 000 reviews were successfully completed, while approximately 160 000 beneficiaries failed to present themselves for review. For the 2026/27 financial year, Sassa is targeting more than 350 000 grant reviews, with projected savings of approximately R1.5b that can be redirected to support other government priorities,” said Mkamba. 

Legislated compliance measure  

In the Northern Cape alone, approximately 7 015 beneficiaries have been affected.  

Sassa’s Northern Cape regional executive manager Karabelo Mojanaga explained that the grant review process is a legislated compliance measure aimed at confirming that beneficiaries continue to meet the eligibility requirements for social assistance based on their current circumstances, including income, marital status or medical condition, where applicable.  
  
Mojanaga urged beneficiaries who have been requested to present themselves for review, or who have not received their grants as expected, to visit their nearest Sassa office to avoid payment delays.  

 
Required documentation  

Beneficiaries reporting for a grant review should bring the following documentation, where applicable:  

• A valid South African identity document  

• Proof of residence  

• Proof of income or an affidavit confirming unemployment  

• Bank statements, from the date when income was generated or employment, where applicable  

• Marriage certificate   

• Relevant medical records   

• Birth certificates and proof of school attendance for child beneficiaries  

Fourth payment date  

Across South Africa, Sassa has added a fourth monthly payment day for beneficiaries whose grants have been delayed due to outstanding reviews, giving them an opportunity to resolve their cases before their grants are suspended or cancelled.  

The extra payment day will be valid until Sassa concludes all the reviews.   

Representation for bedridden beneficiaries  

“Beneficiaries who are unable to visit a Sassa office due to illness or because they are bedridden may appoint a procurator or an authorised representative to assist them with the review process, subject to Sassa’s prescribed requirements,” said the agency.   

Sassa has also launched WhatsApp services, allowing beneficiaries to check their social grant application, review and proof-of-life status by messaging 082 601 0111 and following the prompts.   

Beneficiaries can also visit https://www.sassa.gov.za/, contact the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or follow Sassa’s official social media channels for updates. 

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