JOHANNESBURG — In a significant compliance enforcement move, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that over 210,000 grant beneficiaries will face a payment freeze for June 2025, following the discovery of undisclosed sources of income.
The freeze, which affects multiple grant types, is part of what the agency describes as a necessary ratification of systemic flaws that have persisted for years—now being addressed in collaboration with registered credit bureaus.
“They are also obligated to inform SASSA of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved.
“Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the act and may result in corrective action,” — SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi
Who’s affected and why
The beneficiaries in question were flagged during a recent audit for receiving income that was never disclosed to SASSA. This breach of the Social Assistance Act violates conditions that require applicants to report all sources of income both at the time of application and throughout the lifespan of the grant.
Those affected must present themselves at a local SASSA office within 30 days from May 27, 2025 to undergo a full grant review. Failure to comply may result in grant suspension—and continued non-compliance could lead to the permanent cancellation of benefits.
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The bigger cleanup: A shift toward compliance
SASSA says this is not an isolated incident but a critical part of a larger compliance effort aimed at eliminating “inclusion errors” in the grant system. Beneficiaries who were once eligible but have experienced improved financial circumstances may no longer meet the criteria.
In addition to income checks, the agency is urging beneficiaries still using the green barcoded ID book to upgrade to the smart ID card, citing fraud risks linked to the outdated format.
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Grants potentially affected
This freeze applies to beneficiaries across various grant categories:
- Old Age Grant
- Disability Grant
- Child Support Grant
- Foster Care Grant
- War Veterans Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
- Grant-in-Aid
- Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
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June 2025 payment dates for unaffected recipients
- Older Persons & War Veterans Grants: Tuesday, 3 June 2025
- Disability & Grant-in-Aid: Wednesday, 4 June 2025
- Children’s, Foster Care & Care Dependency Grants: Thursday, 5 June 2025
- SRD Grant: Processing from 25–30 June (date varies by bank)
See full schedule
Immediate steps for affected beneficiaries
SASSA has outlined clear steps for those affected:
- Visit your nearest SASSA branch with valid ID and supporting financial documentation.
- Disclose any income or additional bank accounts not previously declared.
- Update personal records where necessary, including ID upgrades.
Action/contact for affected beneficiaries
If you’ve been notified or suspect your grant may be affected by the June 2025 payment freeze, take immediate steps to verify your status or update your information:
- WhatsApp Support Line: 082 046 8553
- Head Office and Regional Contacts: Visit SASSA Head Office & Regional Contacts directory for a full list of contact numbers and physical addresses.
Final note
This compliance initiative is the most extensive in recent years, signaling a stricter approach to grant management and fraud prevention. SASSA is urging all recipients to proactively update their financial status to avoid disruptions.
For more updates, visit our SASSA SA Resource Centre.
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