The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the payment schedule for social grants for January 2026 and reiterated the importance of biometric verification as a critical measure to prevent fraud and ensure grants reach the correct beneficiaries.
January 2026 Grant Payment Dates
According to SASSA, social grants will be paid on the following dates:
- Older Persons’ Grants: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
- Disability Grants: Wednesday, 7 January 2026
- Children’s Grants: Thursday, 8 January 2026
Payments will be processed through the usual channels, including beneficiaries’ bank accounts and approved pay points.
SASSA urged beneficiaries to ensure that their personal details are up to date to avoid any delays or disruptions to payments.
Importance of Biometric Verification
SASSA explained that biometric verification is a security measure used to confirm the identity of beneficiaries through unique biological traits such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
“These biometric traits are verified by comparing them with records captured by the Department of Home Affairs at the time an identity document was issued,” the agency said.
The verification process is designed to safeguard public funds and prevent identity theft, fraud, and the misuse of social assistance, ensuring that grants are paid to eligible recipients only.
SRD Grant Payments and Declined Applications
The agency also reminded beneficiaries that COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payments for December 2025 were processed between 19 and 24 December 2025.
Addressing concerns around declined SRD applications, SASSA noted that applications may be rejected if employment or another source of income is detected through external databases, including financial institutions.
“If employment or a source of income is identified through external databases, the application may be declined,” SASSA said.
Applicants who disagree with the outcome of their application 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 added, urging applicants to ensure that all submitted information is accurate and up to date.
Warning Against Misinformation
SASSA cautioned beneficiaries against misinformation circulating on social media, particularly regarding payment dates and verification requirements. The agency advised the public to rely only on official SASSA communication channels for accurate and up-to-date information.