- SASSA confirms September 2025 grant payment dates — but a new biometric verification rule could disrupt payments for millions of vulnerable South Africans
- From old age pensions to child support, beneficiaries face possible suspensions in September if they fail to complete biometric verification
- The Agency says biometrics will stop fraud, but civil groups warn the system could unfairly disadvantage the elderly and people in rural areas.
A looming disruption to South Africa’s lifeline system as millions fear delays
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued an urgent notice confirming that beneficiaries must undergo biometric verification or risk delays and suspensions of their September 2025 grant payments.
The development comes just weeks after September payment dates were confirmed, raising new concerns for the more than 19 million South Africans who rely on monthly social grants to survive.
The new requirement affects all grant categories, including the Old Age, Disability, Child Support, Care Dependency, Foster Care, Grant-in-Aid, War Veterans, and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants.
While officials insist the rollout will strengthen security and curb fraud, beneficiaries warn it may disrupt access to food and basic needs for the country’s most vulnerable.
Read: All grants affected as SASSA makes biometric checks compulsory for September payments.
Why biometric verification is being introduced?
SASSA says the system will use fingerprints, facial recognition, and other digital tools to confirm the identity of grant recipients.
According to the agency, the move aims to:
- Eliminate duplicate and fraudulent claims
- Ensure grants reach rightful beneficiaries
- Improve efficiency and payment speed
Fraudulent claims have cost the state billions over the years. SASSA argues biometrics will protect the integrity of the system and ultimately safeguard beneficiaries.
Who will be affected?
The biometric requirement applies to all categories of grants, including:
- Old Age Grant: R2 315 (60–74 years), R2 335 (75+ years)
- Disability Grant: R2 315
- Child Support Grant: R560
- Foster Care Grant: R1 250
- Care Dependency Grant: R2 315
- War Veterans Grant: R2 315
- Grant-in-Aid: R560
- Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant: R370
Even beneficiaries collecting payments via bank transfers, retail outlets, or Postbank will eventually be required to undergo biometric verification.
For official updates, beneficiaries are advised to check the SASSA website or call the helpline at 0800 60 10 11.
Accessibility concerns
Civil society groups warn the rollout could exclude or delay payments for the elderly, disabled, and rural beneficiaries. Many pensioners face difficulties traveling long distances to SASSA offices, while health and mobility challenges pose further risks.
As highlighted in NOWinSA’s coverage of September payment dates, delays in even a single grant cycle can be devastating.
SASSA has promised mobile units and home visits, but critics argue these services are limited and inconsistently delivered.
Treasury sounds alarm over verification chaos
Concerns over the biometric rollout aren’t limited to beneficiaries. The National Treasury has also issued a stark warning, threatening to withhold funds from SASSA if the agency fails to resolve ongoing identity verification backlogs and payment delays.
As NOWinSA previously reported, Treasury officials cautioned that the mounting chaos could undermine confidence in the social grants system itself — one of the government’s most vital poverty relief measures.
This escalation highlights how the September payment cycle is not only a test for beneficiaries struggling to comply with new biometric requirements, but also a political and financial flashpoint with serious national implications.
Public reaction: Beneficiaries speak out
Across social media, panic is mounting. Many accuse SASSA of targeting the vulnerable while failing to address corruption at higher levels.
One applicant questioned the fairness of the system:
“Identified source of income where? Why are we declined for no apparent reason at all? Please urgently look into the matter.” source
Another user described the rollout as intrusive:
“Classic playbook: roll out intrusive controls on the most vulnerable first, where resistance is weakest, just to get a foot in the door. This is just the beginning. The government will be in your smartphone soon enough to see whether you have been a good boy or not.” source
Others questioned SASSA’s focus on beneficiaries rather than internal corruption:
“Ghost beneficiaries exist because of corruption inside SASSA, not because Gogo in Khayelitsha doesn’t have a fingerprint scan. The real thieves wear suits, not grant queues. Fraud is the excuse. Control is the endgame.” source
Another pointed out the risks to older beneficiaries:
“This will be tricky for older pensioners because as people age, their fingerprints become undetectable.” source
Others flagged how existing issues with Postbank’s cloned cards already keep thousands locked out of payments:
“That’s great for the future but is @OfficialSASSA aware that thousands of beneficiaries are unable to access their money … because @Postbank_ZA black cards somehow keep getting cloned?” source
Not everyone opposes the rollout
A smaller but notable group of beneficiaries supports the biometric move, welcoming stricter controls.
One user wrote:
“Good news and this has to be done across the board; hospitals, clinics, schools, etc.” source
Another predicted it would cut fraudulent claims drastically:
“It has long been overdue. The exercise will reduce the number of grant recipients by 50%.” source
What to do if your payment is delayed
Beneficiaries are urged to:
- Visit their nearest SASSA office immediately if payments are suspended
- Keep proof of attempted verification or correspondence with SASSA
- Ensure contact details are up to date to avoid missing SMS/email notices
- Call the SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11
For official information and to verify any changes, always refer to the SASSA Official Website.
