What Happened
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is set to commence the payment of social grants for March 2026 in the first week of the month. Beneficiaries can expect payments on specific dates: the Older Persons Grant will be disbursed on Tuesday, March 3, 2026; the Disability Grant on Wednesday, March 4, 2026; and the Children’s Grants on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Why It Matters
These payments are crucial for over 19 million beneficiaries who rely on various grants, including the Old Age Grant, Disability Grant, and Child Support Grant. The recent 2026 Budget Review indicates that all social grants, except for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, will see increases in the next financial year. For instance, the Old Age Grant will rise from R2,315 to R2,400, and the Child Support Grant will increase from R560 to R580.
What’s Next
Beneficiaries are advised to pay attention to SMS notifications from Sassa regarding social grant reviews. Ignoring these notifications may lead to the lapsing of grants and non-payment. Sassa has emphasized the importance of responding promptly to these messages to ensure continued support. Payments for the SRD grant will remain at R370, with an extension of payments until March 31, 2027.
