In short: SASSA pays December 2026 grants on Wednesday 2 December (Older Persons), Thursday 3 December (Disability) and Friday 4 December (children’s grants). January 2027 grants follow on 5, 6 and 7 January, so December’s money has to stretch for about five weeks. The R370 COVID-19 SRD is not on this calendar: check your own date on srd.sassa.gov.za. Dates can change, so confirm on SASSA’s media statements before you travel.
Last checked: 11 November 2026
SASSA payment dates, December 2026 to March 2027
| Month | Older Persons | Disability | Children’s grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2026 | Wednesday 2 December | Thursday 3 December | Friday 4 December |
| January 2027 | Tuesday 5 January | Wednesday 6 January | Thursday 7 January |
| February 2027 | Tuesday 2 February | Wednesday 3 February | Thursday 4 February |
| March 2027 | Tuesday 2 March | Wednesday 3 March | Thursday 4 March |
Source: SASSA’s 2026/2027 payment schedule as published by the Department of Social Development. Children’s grants are the Child Support, Foster Child and Care Dependency Grants. Grant-in-Aid is paid with the grant it is attached to.
If your grant is under review, SASSA may pay it on a separate fourth payment day after the three normal days, as it explained in its 8 July 2026 statement. The COVID-19 SRD is not on this calendar: check your own pay date on srd.sassa.gov.za. Dates can change (November 2026 moved because of the local government elections), so confirm on SASSA’s media statements page before you travel to collect.
What happened in November 2026?
November was a once-off change because of the local government elections. SASSA’s 14 October 2026 statement moved Older Persons Grants to Friday 30 October, Disability Grants to Monday 2 November and children’s grants to Tuesday 3 November, with the fourth payment day for grants under review on 5 November. From December, the original 2026/27 calendar applies again.
How SASSA chooses the dates
The Department of Social Development says SASSA pays as early as possible each month, over three days, and in most cases in this order: older persons, then people with disabilities, then children’s grants. It also avoids paying:
- on the 1st of the month or on a Monday,
- on the day after a public holiday, and
- over a weekend.
National Treasury approved the full 2026/27 calendar on 20 March 2026. Dates for April 2027 onwards will only be official once the 2027/28 schedule is approved and announced (the 2026/27 one was approved on 20 March 2026), so do not trust anyone who posts April 2027 dates before SASSA does.
Not paid on your date? Check the fourth payment day
If SASSA has selected your grant for a review or life certification, it may be paid on a separate fourth payment day after the normal three days. SASSA’s 8 July 2026 statement says that if your grant arrives on that fourth day, you must visit your SASSA office to complete the review or your grant can be suspended the next month.
To find out if SASSA needs something from you, SASSA’s 24 August 2026 statement says you can WhatsApp 082 601 0111. You can also call the free call centre on 0800 60 10 11.
How much is paid in 2026/27
| Grant | Maximum per month |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant (60 to 74) | R2,400 |
| Older Persons Grant (75 and older) | R2,420 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,420 |
| Disability Grant | R2,400 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,400 |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,300 (from 1 October 2026; R1,290 from April to September 2026) |
| Child Support Grant | R580 |
| Child Support Grant Top-Up | R870 (R580 plus R290) |
| Grant-in-Aid | R580 |
| COVID-19 SRD | R370 (extended to 31 March 2027) |
Source: Government Gazette notice R.7287 (23 March 2026) for the permanent grants, and the Department of Social Development statement of 17 February 2026 for the COVID-19 SRD. These are maximum amounts. Older Persons, War Veterans and Disability Grants are means tested on a sliding scale, so SASSA can pay less if you have other income.
Budgeting over December and January
- Your grant stays in your account until you draw it. There is no need to queue on the first morning.
- Split December’s money into “before Christmas” and “first week of January” before you spend anything.
- If you use the SASSA/Postbank card, plan your withdrawals: Postbank’s fee table lists a fee on ATM withdrawals and charges after the first free balance enquiry each month. See how to check your SASSA balance.
- Do not borrow against your grant or hand your card to a lender. Read can you borrow against your social grant first.
Avoid payment-date scams
- Fake posts about “early payments”, “double payments” or “festive bonuses” spread every December. If it is not on sassa.gov.za or gov.za, ignore it.
- SASSA’s grant booklet says SASSA will never ask for your PIN.
- Report fraud on SASSA’s anti-fraud line, 0800 701 701.
Related guides: SASSA status check, which SASSA grants am I eligible for and SASSA SRD grant 2026.
Last checked 11 November 2026 against SASSA’s media statements and grant booklet, the Department of Social Development’s 2026/27 payment schedule, Postbank’s SASSA fee table and the Government Gazette. Dates and amounts can change, so confirm on the official page before you travel or make plans. This is general information, not financial advice.