The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the official September 2025 payment dates for all eight social grants, ensuring that more than 19 million South Africans who rely on this safety net can start planning ahead.
The agency administers the Older Persons’ Pension Grant, Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, Child Support Grant, Grant-in-Aid, and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant.
September 2025 Grant payment dates
- Older Persons Grant & War Veterans Grant – Tuesday, September 2, 2025
- Disability Grant & Grant-in-Aid – Wednesday, September 3, 2025
- Children’s Grants (Child Support, Foster Care & Care Dependency) – Thursday, September 4, 2025
- SRD Grant (R370) – Processing from September 25–27 through to month-end (subject to confirmation).
See SASSA’s official 2025/26 calendar here.
Current Grant amounts (from April 2025 increases)
- Old Age (60–74 years) & Disability Grant – R2 315
- Old Age (75+ years) – R2 335
- War Veterans Grant – R2 315
- Care Dependency Grant – R2 315
- Child Support Grant – R560
- Grant-in-Aid – R560
- Foster Care Grant – R1 250
- SRD Grant – R370
Read more about the 2025 budget increases here.
Unlawful deductions: A growing concern
Sassa has again sounded the alarm on unauthorised deductions from beneficiaries’ accounts, warning that some insurance companies continue to target vulnerable citizens with policies they never signed up for.
The agency reiterated:
- Sassa does not work with any insurance companies or funeral schemes.
- No deductions may be made without beneficiary consent.
- Only one deduction per month, capped at 10% of the grant, is legally permitted under Regulation 29 of the Social Assistance Act.
- Funeral-related deductions are strictly prohibited from child-related grants.
Beneficiaries can dispute unauthorised deductions by:
- Visiting their nearest Sassa office
- Sending an SMS to 34548 with their ID number and provider’s name
- Contacting the insurer directly to cancel the policy
Read the full report on permitted grant deductions here.
Bigger picture: SASSA’s growing budget & uncertain future
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed in his 2025 Budget Speech that social grants remain one of the government’s largest expenditures, with allocations of R284.7 billion for 2025/26.
“As announced by the president in the State of the Nation Address, the SRD was to be used as a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people,” Godongwana noted.
Read: Another interest rate cut — what it means for struggling South Africans.
However, uncertainty looms. With the Postbank contract set to expire, as many as 2 million grants could be at risk if no new system is implemented in time. More on that here.
Furthermore, National Treasury recently warned it may withhold Sassa funds amid chaos over ID verification delays, raising further questions about the system’s long-term stability. Full story here.
Your next step
As South Africa braces for September, SASSA is urging beneficiaries to avoid rushing to pay points on the first day, as funds remain safely available once paid.
For queries, contact the Sassa toll-free helpline on 0800 60 10 11 or visit your nearest office.
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