The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reminded social grant beneficiaries that a fourth payment day has been introduced for recipients who have been identified for grant reviews or eLife Certification.
Unlike the usual three-day payment schedule for Older Persons, Disability and Children’s grants, beneficiaries who receive their grants on the fourth payment day (7 July 2026) are required to visit their nearest SASSA office to complete a grant review. Failure to do so could result in their grant being suspended during the next payment cycle.
SASSA National Spokesperson Dr Paseka Letsatsi said many beneficiaries are still unaware of the purpose of the fourth payment day and become concerned when they do not receive payment on the usual dates.
“Beneficiaries who still needed to have their social grants reviewed or undergo eLife Certification were paid on the fourth payment day.”
He explained that SASSA sends SMS notifications to beneficiaries who have been selected for a grant review or eLife Certification before scheduling their payment for the fourth day.
Letsatsi urged beneficiaries to respond as soon as they receive communication from SASSA.
“We would also like to appeal to our beneficiaries to inform SASSA whenever their contact details or address change because we use the information captured in our system when a person first applied for a grant. If your personal details change and you do not notify us, we will continue sending communication to the contact number or address on our records.”
SASSA said grant reviews and eLife Certification are conducted in line with the Social Assistance Act to confirm that beneficiaries still qualify for assistance. The process also helps prevent fraud, stop payments to ineligible or deceased beneficiaries and ensure that beneficiary information remains up to date.
For the August payment cycle, Older Persons Grants will be paid on 4 August, Disability Grants on 5 August, Children’s Grants on 6 August, while 7 August has been set aside as the fourth payment day for beneficiaries who have been identified for reviews.
