POLOKWANE – More than 56 000 social grants were suspended by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) between April and June 2026 as the agency stepped up checks on beneficiaries’ financial circumstances.

Sassa said 105 600 beneficiaries were placed under review during the first three months of the 2026/27 financial year.

Of those, 56 807 had their grants suspended following the reviews.

Why grants are being reviewed

The checks are aimed at determining whether beneficiaries still meet the requirements for social assistance and whether the financial information provided to Sassa reflects their actual circumstances.

Beneficiaries’ bank statements will be compared with information from credit bureaus and other government departments when conducting these checks.

Money in your account doesn’t automatically mean fraud

However, money entering a beneficiary’s bank account does not automatically mean they are earning a regular income or attempting to defraud the state.

Beneficiaries whose grants have been suspended should approach Sassa and provide an explanation for transactions that may have triggered the review.

The agency will then assess the circumstances and determine whether the beneficiary still qualifies for the grant.

What to do if you are selected for a review

Check your SMS

Sassa notifies beneficiaries selected for review by SMS, so it is important that the agency has your latest contact details.

Beneficiaries should notify Sassa if their cellphone number, address or other contact information changes. Changes to their financial circumstances and certain travel outside South Africa should also be reported.

Take the right documents

If you are called for a review, take the documents needed to confirm that you still qualify for the grant. These may include:

• A valid South African ID
• Your spouse’s ID, where applicable
• Proof of income, such as recent payslips or pension slips (an affidavit may be required if you are unemployed or no longer receiving an income)
• Three months of bank statements covering all active bank, savings or investment accounts
• Proof of residence, such as a municipal account, utility bill or letter from a traditional authority or ward councillor
• Proof of marital status where applicable, including a marriage certificate, divorce order or death certificate of a spouse
• An affidavit where applicable in cases of separation or desertion
• Grant-specific documents, such as children’s birth certificates or school attendance confirmation
• A death certificate where the death of a spouse or child affects eligibility
• Any additional documents listed in the review notification

Beneficiaries should take original documents and certified copies where required and attend their review appointment as soon as possible.

What if you cannot get to a Sassa office?

Beneficiaries who are bedridden or medically unable to attend a review in person should contact their nearest Sassa office.

Where permitted, an authorised representative can act on the beneficiary’s behalf.

Beneficiaries may also make use of Sassa’s online and digital services where possible.

The agency said free Wi-Fi is available at its offices to help clients access online services using their own smartphones, while officials can assist people who need help using the digital platforms.