More than 210,000 South Africans face serious hardship this week after their SASSA grant payments didn’t come through as expected. For many people, these grants are not just financial support; they are the only way to afford daily essentials like food, transport, and medicine.
If you or a loved one is affected by this delay, know that you are not alone. Here is everything you need to know about the payment issue, including why it happened, who is impacted, how to check your grant status, and what to do next. We also share tips to avoid delays in the future and keep you up to date with official announcements.
210,000 SASSA Grant Payments Delayed
Over 210,000 South Africans were caught off guard this week when their SASSA grant payments didn’t land in their accounts as expected. A technical hiccup during the banking verification process caused the delay, mainly affecting those who get their grants through direct deposits. Seniors, people with disabilities, and families relying on child grants are among those most impacted.
SASSA and Postbank are already working on fixing the issue, with payments being reprocess in batches daily. Officials say the backlog should be cleared within the first week of August. In the meantime, beneficiaries are urged to stay calm, avoid unnecessary trips to pay points, and check their status using official SASSA platforms like USSD, WhatsApp, or the SASSA website.
To avoid future delays, make sure your banking and mobile details are always updated. This situation is not new, similar delays have occurred before and were quickly resolved. Stay connected with official channels for the latest updates, and don’t share your personal grant info with anyone to avoid scams.
Why Were 210,000 Payments Delayed?
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) confirm that over 210,000 social grant payments were delay due to a technical glitch in the banking validation process. This issue primarily affect payments that were suppose to process via direct deposit into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
According to early reports, the problem occur during the routine verification step between SASSA and Postbank, where beneficiary details are cross-check for fraud prevention. As a result, some accounts were flagged incorrectly, putting grant payouts on hold.
“We apologies to all affected beneficiaries and are working around the clock to resolve the issue,” said a SASSA spokesperson on 30 July 2025.
Who Is Affected?
The delay does not affect all SASSA beneficiaries, but if you rely on one of the following grants, you may among those impacted –
- Old Age Pension Grant
- Disability Grant (both temporary and permanent)
- Child Support Grant
- Foster Care Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
Most affected recipients are those who receive their money via direct bank deposit, rather than through the SASSA Gold Card or cash payment channels.
What Is SASSA Doing About It?
SASSA, along with Postbank and the Department of Social Development launch an urgent investigation and issue a commitment to clear the backlog as quickly as possible.
What We Know So Far –
- Payments are being re-process in daily batches.
- SASSA prioritize fixing records that were wrongly flagged during verification.
- Postbank is expect to clear most delayed payments by the end of the first week of August 2025.
SASSA also advise beneficiaries not to panic or make repeated trips to payment points until they have confirm their payment status through the official channels.
How to Check Your Grant Status?
Want to know whether your payment has gone through? Here’s how to check –
| Method | Details |
| USSD Code | Dial *120*3210# or *120*69277# from your phone |
| WhatsApp Support | Message “Status” to 082 046 8553 |
| Online Status | Check Visit srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status |
| Call SASSA | Toll-Free 0800 60 10 11 (Mon–Fri, 8am to 4pm) |
Tip – Have your ID number ready before checking. If your phone number change, update it with SASSA to get SMS alerts.
What to Do If You are Still Waiting?
If your payment hasn’t arrived yet, here’s what you can do –
- Wait at least 48 hours after your expected payment date, banking delays happen.
- Check your status using any of the options above.
- Don’t queue up at Post Offices or pay points unless you receive confirmation.
- If your details are outdated, update your bank info and mobile number with SASSA as soon as possible.
- Report ongoing issues at your nearest SASSA office if the delay exceeds 3 working days and no update is available.
How Can You Stay Updated?
To avoid confusion or falling for misinformation, always rely on official SASSA sources for announcements. Here is how to stay inform –
- Follow SASSA’s verified Facebook and Twitter pages.
- Visit www.sassa.gov.za for updates.
- Join local WhatsApp community groups that share verified grant news.
Helpful Tips to Avoid Future Delays
While some delays are out of your hands, these tips can reduce your chances of late payments:
- Always keep your bank details up to date with SASSA.
- Don’t share your SASSA PIN or OTP with anyone, protect yourself from scams.
- Check public holidays, payments may come early if the original date falls on a weekend or holiday.
- Register a valid mobile number with SASSA to receive alerts.
Previous Delays and Lessons Learned
This isn’t the first time payments is delayed. In April 2023, over 150,000 grants were affected due to server downtime at Postbank. Then, SASSA resolved the issue within 72 hours and most payments were restored with back pay included. This time, the problem is different but manageable. Knowing how to act can protect your peace of mind.
Stay Calm, Stay Informed
Delays like this can incredibly stressful especially when you are depending on that money to support yourself or your family. But rest assured, SASSA is working urgently to fix the issue, and most payments are expect to sort within days.
In the meantime, use the tools available to check your status, avoid scams, and make sure your details are accurate. This platform is here to keep you informed, supported, and one step ahead when it comes to your social grant.
