The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the payment schedule for social grants in January 2026 and reiterated the importance of beneficiary biometric verification as a key measure to prevent fraud.
January 2026 Grant Payment Dates
According to SASSA, social grants will be paid on the following dates:
- Older Persons’ Grant: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
- Disability Grant: Wednesday, 7 January 2026
- Children’s Grants: Thursday, 8 January 2026
Payments will be made through the usual channels, including direct deposits into bank accounts and payments at approved pay points.
Importance of Updating Personal Details
SASSA urged beneficiaries to ensure that their personal information remains up to date to avoid delays or disruptions in receiving their grants.
Biometric Verification Explained
The agency emphasised that biometric verification is a critical security process used to confirm the identity of beneficiaries through unique biological traits such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
“These traits are verified by comparing them with records captured by the Department of Home Affairs when an identity document was issued,” SASSA said.
The verification process is designed to protect public funds and ensure that social grants are paid to the rightful recipients.
“This process helps prevent identity theft, fraud, and the misuse of social assistance,” the agency added.
SRD Grant Payments and Declined Applications
SASSA also reminded beneficiaries that COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payments for December 2025 were made between 19 and 24 December 2025.
Addressing common concerns regarding declined SRD applications, the agency explained that applications may be rejected if employment or another source of income is detected.
“If employment or a source of income is identified through external databases, including financial institutions, the application may be declined,” SASSA said.
Applicants who disagree with a rejection were encouraged to make use of the appeals process.
“If you are not satisfied with the reasons for your declined application, you have the right to appeal,” the agency said, urging applicants to ensure that all submitted information is accurate and up to date.
Warning Against Misinformation
SASSA cautioned beneficiaries to rely only on official communication channels for accurate information and warned against misinformation circulating on social media, particularly regarding payment dates and biometric verification requirements.