Millions of South Africans can now plan ahead after SASSA officially released the March 2026 payment dates for all permanent grants and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
The update comes amid ongoing verification reviews, public comment on SRD regulation amendments, and broader reforms to modernise South Africa’s social protection system.
Confirmed March 2026 SASSA payment dates
SASSA has confirmed the following March 2026 payment schedule:
- Old Age Grant (60–74 years): Tuesday, March 3
- Old Age Grant (75+ years): Tuesday, March 3
- Disability Grant: Wednesday, March 4
- War Veterans Grant: Wednesday, March 4
- Care Dependency Grant: Wednesday, March 5
- Child Support Grant: Thursday, March 5
- Foster Child Grant: Thursday, March 5
- Important note: SRD Grant (R370): SRD payments fall in the final week of the month, with payments expected to reflect between March 26 and 29. Payment dates vary by beneficiary as SASSA processes applications in batches after eligibility verification.
The staggered payment structure helps manage queues, reduce system pressure, and allow verification checks to be completed before funds are released.
SRD reforms and public comment process remains open
March payments coincide with government’s public participation process on proposed amendments to SRD regulations.
The changes could affect eligibility rules, verification procedures, and future administration of the grant.
👉 Read how to make your input in the open SRD public comment process
Public submissions remain open for a limited period.
Ongoing grant reviews for 2026 SASSA schedule
SASSA has intensified reviews in 2026 to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive payments.
Around 70,000 grants have been suspended following verification checks.
These reviews assess:
- Income records
- Banking activity
- Employment status
- Government database cross-checks
👉 Ongoing Grant reviews for 2026 SASSA Schedule:
Full explanation of SASSA grant reviews, suspensions and verification process
Beneficiaries who fail to respond to review notifications risk delayed or cancelled payments.
Payment amounts for March 2026
Confirmed grant amounts remain:
- Old Age Grant (60–74 years): R2,315
- Old Age Grant (75+ years): R2,335
- Disability Grant: R2,315
- War Veterans Grant: R2,315
- Care Dependency Grant: R2,315
- Child Support Grant: R560
- Foster Child Grant: R1,250
- SRD Grant: R370
SASSA supports more than 19 million beneficiaries nationwide.
SASSA contact details and regional offices for queries
Beneficiaries with payment or verification questions can contact SASSA directly:
🌐 Official website:
https://www.sassa.gov.za
📞 Toll-free call centre:
0800 60 10 11
📧 Email enquiries:
grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za
🏢 Head office and regional contacts:
👉 SASSA head office and regional contacts
Beneficiaries should use only official channels to avoid scams.
How to check your SASSA grant status online (Step-by-step)
Before visiting pay points or retailers, beneficiaries are advised to check their grant status online.
Step 1: Visit the official SASSA website
Go to: https://www.sassa.gov.za
Step 2: Select the SRD or grant status check section
Step 3: Enter your details
You will need:
- Your South African ID number
- The cellphone number used during application
Step 4: Check your status
Possible status results include:
- Approved – Payment is being processed
- Pending – Verification checks underway
- Declined – Application did not meet criteria
- Referred – Additional checks required
If declined, beneficiaries may lodge an appeal where applicable.
Broader reforms following SONA
Government has confirmed longer-term reforms to modernise and strengthen the social grant system following announcements linked to the State of the Nation Address.
Reforms aim to:
- Strengthen fraud detection
- Improve verification systems
- Enhance payment efficiency
- Develop sustainable income support models
ALSO READ:
New SASSA grant model for 2026 | SONA
Important reminder for beneficiaries
SASSA urges beneficiaries to:
- Keep banking and contact details updated
- Respond immediately to verification requests
- Check payment status before visiting pay points
- Monitor official SASSA updates
Failure to comply with review processes may result in suspended or delayed payments.
