JOHANNESBURG – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has made an immediate plea to grant beneficiaries who have not yet received their payments for May 2025, urging them to promptly visit their nearest SASSA office for identification verification.
This call to action comes after a focused effort to verify beneficiaries whose personal information does not match Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) records or was provided using different identification methods, such as sworn statements, late birth registrations, or refugee identification numbers.
In a recent public announcement, it was stated, “If your social grant for May has not been disbursed, please go to the nearest SASSA office. You may need to undergo a verification process if you are affected.”
Who needs to take action?
Approximately 20,000 beneficiaries are impacted, many of whom now possess valid IDs in the Home Affairs database but have not updated this information with SASSA.
SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi clarified on eNCA:
“When we check the details with Home Affairs, we find that these same guys came and made the applications, and have the IDs. When we now say they must now come with an ID to make a verification, they decide not to present themselves.” their IDs for verification, they opted not to do so.”
He further emphasised:
“You must come and verify, and if you don’t come, you’ll never be able to access the money. And if you don’t come within a particular period of time, their grant will lapse permanently.”
ALSO READ: Updated Full 2025 Payment Dates for All 8 SASSA Grants
Why the urgency?
This heightened crackdown follows a fraudulent case amounting to R260 million, involving SASSA officials who allegedly misused refugee data to divert grant funds.
“HOME AFFAIRS AND SASSA have signed a memorandum of understanding to make sure those whose ID have been collected we are able to verify that information,” said Paseka Friday.
“As we communicate with these individuals, we are aware that they have authenticated IDs, for whatever reason they’ve just decided not to come and present themselves with the SASSA office.”
Additionally, a comprehensive means test is being conducted to identify beneficiaries with undisclosed income who may no longer meet the eligibility criteria for assistance.
What to Bring (documentation) and where to go
Beneficiaries must appear in person with their issued original ID document. Offices are open from Monday to Friday, between 08h00 and 17h00.
For any inquiries, contact SASSA via:
- Toll-Free Number: 0800 60 10 11
- WhatsApp: +27 82 046 8553
- Email: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
- Website: services.sassa.gov.za
Reminder for grant payment dates:
- May 6: Old Age Grants and War Veterans
- May 7: Disability Grant (including and Grant-in-Aid)
- May 8: Child Support Grants (including Foster Care, and Care Dependency)
“Paying the Right Social Grant, to the Right Person, at the Right Time,” SASSA emphasised in its communication.
For more insights and regular social grant updates, please visit the NOWinSA SASSA Resource Centre.
