In an official statement issued on April 30, 2025, SASSA stated that specific grant recipients may encounter a delay in the May payment dates as the agency will conduct nationwide eligibility verification from 05 May 2025.
The agency clarifies under Regulation 30, the agency reviews the beneficiary’s eligibility and completes the verification to update the personal details and ensure the agency is aware of their changes in financial circumstances. With these steps, the agency intends to prevent fraudulent activities from receiving the social grants.
The agency has urged certain beneficiaries to come forward and complete the verification to continue receiving the Social grants and support to manage their living expenses. The SASSA offers many grants to vulnerable groups in South Africa, so if you are a recipient, do check if you need to participate in the verification.
| SASSA May payout delay reason | Nationwide verification and eligibility review process |
| Targetted Beneficiaries | People who are not registered on SASSA with their 13-digit SA ID number Or not reported their income to SASSA |
| What to do? | Visit the nearby SASSA office and complete the verification |
| Benefits of Verification | Strengthen Security and prevent fraudulent activities |
| May Payout Date | Older Person grant: 06 May 2025 Disability grant: 07 May 2025 Children Grant: 08 May 2025 |
| Toll-Free No. | 0800 6010 11 |
| Official Webiste | www.sassa.gov.za |
Who can expect a delay?
The SASSA statement has mentioned that certain beneficiaries can expect a delay in the May payout due to the verification and review of eligibility, such as:
- SASSA recipients who haven’t used the 13-digit South African Identity number to receive the Social grants, whereas they have utilized the alternative options.
- Other beneficiaries are identified through bulk means test, where the agency has discovered that the recipients have not disclosed some income to the SASSA to receive the grants.
The Home Affairs department has verified, according to the agency, that these beneficiaries have a 13-digit valid ID number in the Home Affairs system; nevertheless, SASSA records may or may not show these ID numbers.
What must you do?
Now, the beneficiaries who wish to continue receiving their May payout without any interruption need to visit the SASSA offices of their region and complete the verification process. The SASSA payout verification and biometric process will start on May 5, 2025.
The recipients whose 13-digit South African Identity Number is not recorded should visit the nearby SASSA office and get the review done, where the agency officers will ask about your current circumstances to assess your eligibility, and they will record your Identity number on the agency system.
If the agency finds out any error or anyone fails to complete the verification, their SASSA grant can be suspended, or if they continue to ignore the agency’s encouragement to complete the verification, the recipients may have to face serious consequences, where they can lose the right to receive the Social grants.
The verification is important as the circumstances of the person from the time they applied for the SASSA grant may have improved over a period that could make them ineligible for the grant.
May Payment Date
SASSA has confirmed a delay for certain beneficiaries, however, the recipients whose 13-digit identity number is recorded in the SASSA system will receive their payout as per the schedule, as they are not restricted under the ongoing verification drive nationwide.
So, SASSA grants recipients whose 13-digit identity number is recorded can expect their May payout date on the following dates:
- Older Persona Grants from 06 May 2025 (Tuesday)
- Children’s Grant on 08 May 2025 (Thursday)
- Disability Grant on 07 May 2025 (Wednesday)
The dates for the SRD grant are not confirmed yet, however, the recipients can expect the payout in the second-to-last or last week of the payment month.
How to inquire about payout?
Certain beneficiaries who can experience a delay in their May 2025 SASSA grants, or the recipients who did not receive their grant on time, can send an email to GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za or call the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 to reach SASSA with questions regarding their payment.
The recipients who are not sure of their eligibility for the SASSA grants can check the grant status on the official website in the following steps:
- Browse the SASSA official website, and be aware that there are many fake websites.
- After that, select the status check option and input your registered cellphone number and South African ID number.
- Once you submit the info, your SASSA grant status will appear on your screen, and you can see if you are eligible and your next payment.
SASSA has informed about the delay in the May 2025 payout to certain beneficiaries only, so if your 13-digit AS identity number is already recorded, you should not worry about the delay, and if it happens, immediately reach out to the agency.