SASSA October 2025 Payments: Official Dates and Grant Payout Info

What Is SASSA and Why These Payments Matter

SASSA — the South African Social Security Agency — disburses social grants each month to millions of eligible beneficiaries: pensioners, persons with disabilities, caregivers, foster children, and people who qualify under the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) scheme. These payments are a lifeline for many households, helping cover basic needs like food, utilities, and medicine.

Because grant disbursement is a massive logistical activity, SASSA uses a staggered payment schedule: different categories of grants are paid on different days in the month. This helps avoid system overloads, long queues, and banking congestion.

Every month, beneficiaries are encouraged to check SASSA’s official channels (website, SMS, local offices) for confirmed dates and status updates before attempting to collect their funds.

Confirmed Payment Dates for October 2025

For October 2025, SASSA has released the following schedule for key grant categories:

• Older Persons Grant (pensioners / old age) — Thursday, 2 October 2025
• Disability Grant — Friday, 3 October 2025
• Children’s Grants / Other social grants (Child Support, Care Dependency, Foster Care, etc.) — Monday, 6 October 2025
• SRD R370 Grant (Social Relief of Distress) — late October, estimated between 22 and 31 October 2025

It’s important to note that the SRD payment window is not fixed for a single universal date; different groups may receive it on different days within that late‑October window.

These dates are confirmed by multiple SASSA information portals and news outlets.

Grant Amounts for October 2025

The grant amounts remain the same as in recent months. Here’s what beneficiaries can expect to receive:

• Older Persons / Disability Grant: R2,315
• For very elderly (75+ years) and War Veterans: R2,335
• Care Dependency Grant: R2,315
• Child Support Grant: R560
• Foster Child Grant: R1,250
• SRD Grant: R370

These amounts are the same values that SASSA has been using, as confirmed in media coverage.

What’s New & Important Changes to Be Aware Of

1. Postbank Contract Ending & Payment Method Changes

One key change for October 2025 is that the Postbank contract with SASSA ends on 30 September 2025. SASSA has assured beneficiaries that payments will not be disrupted, but some adjustments are required:

• SASSA cards (the old “Postbank / SASSA Gold Card”) will still work at ATMs and retailer points for now.
• Beneficiaries are encouraged to switch to a personal bank account or use a retailer‑linked payment option to avoid issues.
• If you want to change your payment method (bank, cash, etc.), you must submit the request before the 19th of the month (i.e. before 19 October) for it to take effect in the next cycle.
• To change the payment method, bring your South African ID and proof of bank account (or a recent bank statement).

It’s crucial that beneficiaries check their preferred method well ahead so there’s no disruption.

2. Biometric Enrollment Now Required for New Grant Applications

To reduce fraud and identity misuse, from 1 September 2025 onward, any new SASSA grant application must include biometric registration (fingerprint or facial scan). As of that rollout date, thousands have already been registered.

This means if you are applying for the first time or renewing, you may have to visit a SASSA office to complete biometric capture before your application is fully processed.

3. Fraud Warnings & Scams

SASSA has issued warnings about false messages circulating on social media claiming new high‑value grants (e.g. “R700 grant”) which are scams. Beneficiaries are strongly advised to rely only on official SASSA communications: the website, toll‑free number, WhatsApp line, or local SASSA offices.

Scammers have also been reported to call beneficiaries claiming that their number is linked to a SASSA grant and asking them to press “1” or “9” in pop‑ups or SMS prompts to accept or approve transfers. Many users have flagged these as fraudulent attempts.

If you receive such messages, do not respond or press anything. Block the number and report it to SASSA or the police.

What You Should Do to Prepare

✅ Step 1: Check Your Application / Status

Before the payment date, make sure your grant is approved (not pending or declined). If your status is not “Approved,” you will not get paid on the scheduled day.

For SRD, status may show a specific payday after approval.

You can check status through official SASSA portals (e.g. srd.sassa.gov.za) or via SMS / USSD services.

✅ Step 2: Verify Your Banking / Payment Method

If your grant is set to be paid into a bank account, confirm that your account details, name, and identification are correct and active. If you’re using other payment methods (e.g. retail outlets or Postbank card), ensure all your details are up to date.

If you intend to change your payment method, do it before 19 October.

✅ Step 3: Watch for SMS or Notification

SASSA often sends SMS or notifications when the funds are ready. For those withdrawing from retail outlets, you may need to wait for an SMS confirming your money is available before going to collect.

Do not rush to payment points before receiving confirmation — you could waste time waiting or be turned away.

✅ Step 4: Collect Funds After Payday

On or after the scheduled date, your funds should appear in your bank account or be available at participating retailers / ATMs / SASSA offices depending on your mode. Even if you don’t collect immediately, the money typically remains available — there is no need to withdraw first thing.

If payment is delayed beyond your schedule, investigate by checking status and contacting SASSA.

✅ Step 5: Be Alert to Scams & Keep Your Info Safe

• Never click on suspicious links claiming to get you a “special grant” or verifying SASSA payment.
• Be wary of pop‑ups asking you to press keys to confirm withdrawal.
• Keep your ID, bank details, and phone number secure.
• Report any suspicious calls or messages to SASSA immediately.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

If your grant is not received on the scheduled date:

1. Check your grant status — make sure it’s approved.
2. Confirm your bank account / payment method info is correct.
3. Wait 24–48 hours — sometimes banking processing delays happen.
4. Contact SASSA via their toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 if the issue persists.
5. Visit your local SASSA office for assistance — especially if there’s an incorrect record or bank change required.

If your grant was declined and you believe you are eligible, you can appeal through official SASSA channels or provincial offices. Make sure to provide any requested supporting documents.

Final Thoughts

• The payments for October 2025 are scheduled: Old Age on 2 October, Disability on 3 October, and Child Support / Other Grants on 6 October.
• SRD R370 grants will likely be paid late in October (22–31), but check your personal payment date.
• The ending of the Postbank contract and the new requirement for biometric registration are significant changes this cycle.
• Always check your status ahead of payment day, verify your banking setup, and stay alert to scam attempts.

FAQs