SASSA Payment Dates for January 2026

Knowing when your SASSA grant will be paid in January helps you plan ahead and avoid unnecessary trips to ATMs, pay points, or retail stores.

SASSA follows a staggered payment system at the start of each month, and January 2026 is no different. Below is the full official payment schedule for all permanent grants and the SRD R370 grant.

SASSA Payment Dates for January 2026

If you receive multiple grants, they are paid together on the earliest qualifying date as a single combined payment.

What Time Will My Money Reflect?

Payment reflection times depend on your collection method:

Bank accounts: Funds typically reflect between midnight and 8 AM on the payment date, though some banks may take 24–48 hours to process. ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, and Capitec generally reflect within 24–48 hours after SASSA releases payment.

SASSA card / Postbank: Funds are usually available from early morning on the payment date. Postbank may take 48–72 hours in some cases.

Retail collection (Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Checkers): Available on or shortly after the payment date once the store opens.

If the payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday, SASSA moves it to the next business day.

Why SASSA Staggers Payments Over 3 Days

SASSA pays over 19 million grants each month. Spreading payments across three days prevents overcrowding at ATMs, pay points, and retail outlets. This staggered approach also reduces security risks for vulnerable recipients, particularly the elderly and people with disabilities.

Older Persons and Disability Grants are paid first to give these beneficiaries priority access during quieter periods, protecting them from the larger crowds that typically accompany children’s grant payments.

SASSA has advised beneficiaries not to rush to collect on the first day. Once funds are deposited, they remain in your account and can be withdrawn at any time.

How the SRD R370 Grant Works (January 2026)

The SRD R370 grant operates differently from permanent grants. There is no single fixed payment date for all recipients. Instead:

• Payments are processed in batches, typically between 24–30 January 2026
• Each beneficiary receives an individual “Payday” based on their verification status
• Your payment date only appears once your application shows “Approved” for that month
• Funds take 2–3 business days to reflect after SASSA processes payment
• Some payments may spill into early February depending on verification cycles

To receive the SRD grant, you must be unemployed or earning less than R624 per month, be between 18 and 60 years old, and not receive any other government financial assistance (except Child Support Grant, which is still allowed).

How to Check Your Exact Payment Date

For SRD R370 beneficiaries, you must check your status to see your specific payment date. Here are the official methods:

Online portal: Visit srd.sassa.gov.za, enter your South African ID number and registered phone number, and view your status and payment date.

WhatsApp: Save 082 046 8553 to your contacts, send a message with “Status”, and follow the prompts to check your grant status.

USSD (MTN users): Dial *134*7737# and follow the prompts. No data required.

Toll-free helpline: Call 0800 60 10 11 and select the option for SRD grant status.

Email: Send your ID number and registered phone number to [email protected].

In person: Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document.

What to Do If Your Payment Is Late

If your grant has not reflected by 2–3 business days after your expected payment date, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check your status online at srd.sassa.gov.za (for SRD) or via the SASSA helpline. Confirm whether your status shows “Approved” and whether a payment date is listed.

Step 2: Verify your banking details are correct. Incorrect or outdated bank account information, phone numbers, or ID details can cause payment failures.

Step 3: Contact your bank. If your status shows “Paid” but funds have not reflected after 3 business days, the delay may be with bank processing.

Step 4: Contact SASSA directly via the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document.

Common reasons for delayed payments include pending verification checks, incorrect banking details, system maintenance, public holidays, and fraud flags requiring additional identity verification.

January 2026 Public Holiday Note

New Year’s Day (1 January) falls on a Wednesday in 2026. Since permanent grant payments begin on Tuesday, 6 January, the public holiday does not affect the January payment schedule. However, the gap between December 2025 payments (which started on 2 December) and January 2026 payments is longer than usual—approximately five weeks instead of the typical four.

SASSA has advised beneficiaries to budget carefully over the festive season to account for this extended gap.

Biometric Verification Requirements

SASSA has strengthened biometric verification to protect the grant system against fraud. Beneficiaries may be required to verify their identity through fingerprint or facial recognition at SASSA offices. This information is cross-checked with Department of Home Affairs records.

If your application is flagged or your status shows “Referred”, SASSA has forwarded your details to the Department of Home Affairs for additional verification. This does not mean rejection—approval rates for referred applications are typically 80–90% once verification is complete.

Protect Yourself from Scams

SASSA has warned beneficiaries about fake social media posts offering to help claim unpaid grants from previous years. These are scams. SASSA will never:

• Ask for your PIN or banking password via SMS, WhatsApp, or phone
• Request payment for grant processing
• Send links to unofficial websites

Only use official SASSA channels: srd.sassa.gov.za, the 0800 60 10 11 helpline, or verified SASSA offices. Report suspicious messages to the SASSA fraud hotline at 0800 601 011.

If you’re applying to university in KwaZulu-Natal, you can also use our free CAO status check tool to track your application progress and see what each status message means.

SASSA Contact Details

Toll-free helpline: 0800 60 10 11

Head office: 012 400 2322

WhatsApp: 082 046 8553

Email: [email protected]

SRD portal: srd.sassa.gov.za

Main website: www.sassa.gov.za

Fraud hotline: 0800 601 011