SASSA Grant Payment Dates 2026/2027: Full Schedule and Grant Amounts
SASSA has confirmed the social grant payment dates for the 2026/2027 financial year, covering April 2026 to March 2027.
For September 2026, Older Persons Grants were scheduled for Wednesday, 2 September, Disability Grants for Thursday, 3 September, and Children’s Grants for Friday, 4 September 2026.
The official schedule generally pays Older Persons Grants first, Disability Grants next and Children’s Grants after that. The R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant does not follow this three-day payment schedule, so SRD beneficiaries should check their individual payment status separately.
Table of Contents
Quick summary: SASSA payment dates for 2026/2027
| Month | Older Persons Grant | Disability Grant | Children’s Grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 2 April 2026 | 7 April 2026 | 8 April 2026 |
| May 2026 | 5 May 2026 | 6 May 2026 | 7 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 2 June 2026 | 3 June 2026 | 4 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | 2 July 2026 | 3 July 2026 | 6 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | 4 August 2026 | 5 August 2026 | 6 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 2 September 2026 | 3 September 2026 | 4 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | 2 October 2026 | 5 October 2026 | 6 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | 3 November 2026 | 4 November 2026 | 5 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | 2 December 2026 | 3 December 2026 | 4 December 2026 |
| January 2027 | 5 January 2027 | 6 January 2027 | 7 January 2027 |
| February 2027 | 2 February 2027 | 3 February 2027 | 4 February 2027 |
| March 2027 | 2 March 2027 | 3 March 2027 | 4 March 2027 |
These dates come from the official 2026/2027 payment schedule published by the Department of Social Development following approval by National Treasury.
Important: The dates above apply to SASSA’s scheduled permanent social grants. The R370 SRD Grant is handled differently and beneficiaries should not assume that their SRD payment will arrive on the Children’s Grant date.
September 2026 SASSA payment dates
The September payment cycle is:
- Older Persons Grant: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
- Disability Grant: Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Children’s Grants: Friday, 4 September 2026
This means that Friday, 4 September 2026 is the scheduled Children’s Grant payment date for September.
Beneficiaries should remember that the scheduled payment date is the date SASSA makes the grant available according to its payment programme. The exact way a beneficiary accesses the money depends on their approved payment method.
There is generally no need to withdraw the entire grant immediately once it becomes available.
Why does SASSA pay different grants on different dates?
SASSA uses staggered payment dates rather than paying every permanent grant on the same day.
According to the Department of Social Development, the payment schedule takes several operational issues into account. Payments are generally structured so that they do not fall on weekends, on the first day of the month, on a Monday, or directly after certain public holidays.
Older Persons Grants are normally paid first, followed by Disability Grants and then Children’s Grants.
Spreading payments across different days can also reduce congestion associated with large numbers of beneficiaries trying to access grants simultaneously.
SASSA grant amounts in 2026
Grant amounts increased from April 2026 following the 2026 National Budget.
The main amounts are:
| Social grant | Amount from April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | R2,400 |
| Disability Grant | R2,400 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,400 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,420 |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,290* |
| Child Support Grant | R580 |
| Grant-in-Aid | R580 |
| SRD Grant | R370 |
*The Foster Child Grant rises again to R1,300 from October 2026.
The 2026 Budget Speech confirmed an R80 increase for the Older Persons, Disability and Care Dependency grants, bringing them to R2,400 from April 2026.
The War Veterans Grant increased to R2,420.
The Child Support Grant and Grant-in-Aid increased by R20 to R580.
The Foster Child Grant increased to R1,290 in April and is scheduled to increase again to R1,300 in October 2026.
How much is the Older Persons Grant in 2026?
The standard Older Persons Grant is R2,400 per month from April 2026.
The amount payable can depend on the particular category of Older Persons Grant applicable to a beneficiary, so beneficiaries should rely on SASSA’s official grant information for their individual circumstances.
How much is the Disability Grant in 2026?
The Disability Grant increased to R2,400 per month from April 2026.
Eligibility for a Disability Grant is separate from the payment schedule. Applicants still have to satisfy the applicable requirements before being approved.
How much is the Child Support Grant in 2026?
The Child Support Grant is R580 per month from April 2026.
The grant is intended to help a qualifying primary caregiver meet the basic needs of a child.
SASSA states that eligibility is subject to the applicable requirements and means test.
How much is the Foster Child Grant in 2026?
The Foster Child Grant increased to R1,290 from April 2026.
The 2026 Budget also provides for an additional R10 increase in October, taking the payment to R1,300 from October 2026.
This is important because somebody looking only at an April payment amount could incorrectly assume that R1,290 remains the amount for the entire 2026/2027 financial year.
Is the R370 SRD Grant included in these SASSA payment dates?
No.
The R370 Social Relief of Distress Grant does not use the same three-day monthly schedule shown for Older Persons, Disability and Children’s Grants.
SRD applicants should check the status of their own application and payment through the official SASSA SRD system.
INTERNAL LINK OPPORTUNITY:
How to Check Your SASSA Status: SRD Status, Declines and Appeals Explained
The official SRD portal allows applicants to access the relevant SRD services and information relating to their application.
Is the R370 SRD Grant continuing in 2026?
Yes.
The 2026 National Budget extended the R370 SRD Grant through the 2026/2027 financial year until 31 March 2027.
National Treasury allocated an additional R36.4 billion for the extension and confirmed that the amount remains R370 per month per beneficiary.
This means the extension runs:
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
The Department of Social Development also confirmed that the monthly R370 provision would continue for successful applicants during this period.
The extension does not mean that every person automatically qualifies for payment each month.
Applicants still have to satisfy the applicable SRD eligibility and verification requirements.
How to check your SASSA grant application status
For permanent social grants managed through SASSA Services, applicants can view active applications associated with their profile on the SASSA Services portal.
SASSA explains that the status of an application is displayed in the user’s account and that status changes can also be communicated through notifications.
For the R370 SRD Grant, beneficiaries should use the official SASSA SRD system.
Avoid entering your ID number, banking details or other personal information into websites simply because they claim to offer a “SASSA status check.”
Use official government and SASSA services whenever possible.
What should you do if your SASSA payment does not arrive?
A scheduled payment date does not necessarily mean that every payment problem should immediately be treated as a permanent loss of the grant.
If your expected grant has not been received, first check:
- Whether you have the correct payment date for your type of grant.
- Whether your SASSA application or grant remains active.
- Whether your banking details are correct.
- Whether SASSA has requested any additional verification or review.
- Whether you recently changed your banking or personal information.
- Whether there is an issue with your chosen payment method.
If you are unable to resolve the problem, contact SASSA or visit a SASSA office.
The Department of Social Development specifically advises beneficiaries experiencing payment delays or problems to approach their nearest SASSA office for assistance.
Can SASSA pay a grant into a bank account?
Yes.
SASSA provides for social grants to be paid into an approved beneficiary’s bank account.
SASSA’s bank-payment documentation states that the account must belong to the beneficiary or applicant and must not be a joint account. It also allows SASSA to verify the supplied banking details.
Beneficiaries should ensure that the banking details supplied to SASSA are correct.
Entering incorrect account information can create payment complications.
Never give your banking PIN, online banking password or card PIN to someone claiming that they need it to process your SASSA grant.
Do you need a bank account to qualify for a SASSA grant?
Not necessarily.
According to SASSA’s official frequently asked questions, not having a bank account does not automatically make somebody ineligible for a social grant, although SASSA encourages beneficiaries to have an account into which the grant can be paid.
Eligibility depends on the requirements of the particular grant rather than simply whether an applicant has a bank account.
Why can SASSA review a beneficiary’s circumstances?
Most social grants are subject to eligibility requirements, and several grants are also subject to a means test.
SASSA explains that, with the exception it identifies for the Foster Child Grant, social grants are subject to a means test used to establish whether applicants have sufficient income and assets to support themselves.
A beneficiary should therefore not assume that receiving a grant once means eligibility can never be reviewed.
Personal circumstances can change.
Beneficiaries should respond to legitimate requests from SASSA and make sure their information remains accurate.
What is a SASSA means test?
A means test is an assessment used to determine whether an applicant meets the financial eligibility requirements for a particular social grant.
It can involve consideration of factors such as:
- Income
- Assets
- A spouse’s circumstances where applicable
- Investments
- Pension income
- Rental income
- Other relevant financial resources
SASSA states that the purpose of the means test is to help ensure social grants reach people who have insufficient means to support themselves.
The precise eligibility rules depend on the particular grant.
For this reason, applicants should check the official requirements for the grant they intend to claim instead of assuming that requirements for one grant automatically apply to another.
SASSA payment dates for October 2026
The next scheduled permanent-grant payment cycle after September is October 2026:
| Grant type | October 2026 payment date |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | Friday, 2 October 2026 |
| Disability Grant | Monday, 5 October 2026 |
| Children’s Grants | Tuesday, 6 October 2026 |
These are the dates contained in the official 2026/2027 schedule.
The Foster Child Grant is also scheduled to increase to R1,300 from October 2026, according to the 2026 Budget Speech.
SASSA payment dates for November and December 2026
Beneficiaries planning toward the end of the year can also note the following dates.
November 2026
- Older Persons Grant: 3 November 2026
- Disability Grant: 4 November 2026
- Children’s Grants: 5 November 2026
December 2026
- Older Persons Grant: 2 December 2026
- Disability Grant: 3 December 2026
- Children’s Grants: 4 December 2026
These dates are particularly useful to keep on hand when planning household expenses during the end-of-year period.
SASSA payment dates from January to March 2027
The confirmed schedule continues into the first three months of 2027.
January 2027
- Older Persons Grant: 5 January
- Disability Grant: 6 January
- Children’s Grants: 7 January
February 2027
- Older Persons Grant: 2 February
- Disability Grant: 3 February
- Children’s Grants: 4 February
March 2027
- Older Persons Grant: 2 March
- Disability Grant: 3 March
- Children’s Grants: 4 March
The R370 SRD extension is currently funded through 31 March 2027.
How to avoid SASSA scams
Social grants affect millions of South Africans, which also makes beneficiaries potential targets for scams.
Be cautious when receiving messages claiming that you must:
- Pay a fee to release your grant.
- Send your bank card PIN.
- Send your online banking password.
- Share a one-time PIN with a stranger.
- Pay somebody to “speed up” your application.
- Follow an unofficial link to prevent your grant from being cancelled.
- Hand over your SASSA or bank card to an unknown person.
A legitimate application or verification process may require personal information through official channels, but beneficiaries should verify that they are dealing with SASSA or another authorised government service before supplying sensitive information.
When in doubt, go directly to an official SASSA website or office rather than following a link forwarded through social media or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What date is the SASSA Children’s Grant paid in September 2026?
The official Children’s Grant payment date for September 2026 is Friday, 4 September 2026.
What date is the SASSA Older Persons Grant paid in September 2026?
The Older Persons Grant was scheduled for Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
What date is the Disability Grant paid in September 2026?
The Disability Grant was scheduled for Thursday, 3 September 2026.
How much is the SASSA Child Support Grant in 2026?
The Child Support Grant is R580 per month from April 2026.
How much is the SASSA Older Persons Grant in 2026?
The grant increased to R2,400 from April 2026.
How much is the Disability Grant in 2026?
The Disability Grant increased to R2,400 from April 2026.
How much is the Foster Child Grant in September 2026?
The Foster Child Grant is R1,290 in September 2026. From October 2026, it is scheduled to rise to R1,300.
Is the R370 grant still available in 2026?
Yes. Government extended the R370 SRD Grant until 31 March 2027, subject to the applicable eligibility rules.
Does the R370 SRD Grant use the normal SASSA payment calendar?
No. Do not use the Older Persons, Disability or Children’s Grant dates to determine an SRD payment date. SRD applicants should check their individual information through the official SRD system.
Can I receive my SASSA grant in my bank account?
Yes. SASSA allows approved beneficiaries to have grants paid into qualifying bank accounts after the required banking information has been supplied and verified.
What if my SASSA application was declined?
For the SRD Grant, SASSA states that a declined applicant has the right to appeal the decision for each month in which the application was declined. The official SRD portal provides access to the appeal process.
INTERNAL LINK OPPORTUNITY:
How to Check Your SASSA Status: SRD Status, Declines and Appeals Explained
What beneficiaries should do now
If you receive a permanent SASSA grant, save the 2026/2027 payment calendar so that you know when your grant category is scheduled for payment.
For September 2026, the scheduled payment dates are 2 September for Older Persons Grants, 3 September for Disability Grants and 4 September for Children’s Grants.
The next cycle begins on 2 October 2026.
If you receive the R370 SRD Grant, do not rely on the permanent-grant calendar. Check your individual SRD information through the official SASSA SRD system.
If there is a payment problem that you cannot resolve, contact SASSA through official channels or visit a SASSA office rather than relying on unofficial social-media information.
Sources & References
Department of Social Development: Official SASSA 2026/2027 social grant payment schedule and grant increase announcement.
National Treasury / South African Government: 2026 Budget Speech containing the approved social grant increases.
National Treasury: 2026 Budget Review, including funding for the extension of the R370 Social Relief of Distress Grant through 31 March 2027.
SASSA: Official Social Relief of Distress Grant portal and application information.
SASSA Services: Official social-grant frequently asked questions and application guidance.
Fact, analysis and opinion note
FACT: Payment dates, grant amounts and the SRD extension dates in this article are based on official SASSA, Department of Social Development and National Treasury information.
ANALYSIS: Practical explanations about planning around payment dates, checking information and distinguishing different grant systems are News Domain explanations based on those verified facts.
OPINION: This article does not rely on opinion for grant amounts, payment schedules or eligibility information.