SASSA CONFIRMS 2026/2027 SOCIAL GRANT PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND INCREASES

By DSD News

• Social grant payments for 2026/2027 will continue to be made early in the month and staggered over three days to improve efficiency and reduce congestion.
• Grant values will increase from April 2026, with the Older Persons, Disability and Care Dependency grants rising to R2 400.
• Beneficiaries are encouraged to report any payment challenges at their nearest SASSA office for prompt assistance.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has officially confirmed the social grant payment dates for the 2026/2027 financial year following approval by National Treasury on Friday, 20 March 2026.

The announcement provides clarity and certainty for millions of beneficiaries who rely on social assistance, reaffirming government’s commitment to ensuring timely and reliable access to grants.

SASSA indicated that the established payment approach will remain in place, with grants paid as early as possible each month and staggered over three days. In most cases, older persons will receive their grants first, followed by persons with disabilities, and thereafter children’s grants.

The Agency emphasised that several operational considerations inform the scheduling of payment dates. The following are considered:

• Payments should not be made a day after a holiday.
• Payments should not be made on the 1st of the month or a Monday; and
• Payment dates should not fall over a weekend

The approved payment schedule is outlined below:

In addition to the confirmed payment dates, SASSA highlighted the increases in social grant amounts announced by the Minister of Finance during the recent Budget Speech. Effective from April 2026, the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant and Care Dependency Grant will increase by R80 to R2 400, while the War Veterans Grant will rise to R2 420. The Foster Child Grant will increase to R1 290, and the Child Support Grant, together with the Grant-in-Aid, will increase to R580.

SASSA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries receive their grants on time and without disruption. The Agency also urged beneficiaries who may experience delays or challenges in accessing their funds to visit their nearest SASSA office for assistance.