SASSA clarifies payment review process: What beneficiaries need to know

The SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) has officially confirmed that amid its ongoing social grant reviews, no payments have been suspended for eligible recipients. CEO Themba Matlou emphasized that all approved grants remain valid, reassuring approximately 18 million beneficiaries that their income support continues uninterrupted.

Matlou explained SASSA’s mandate is rooted in the Social Assistance Act, which requires regular assessments to ensure ongoing eligibility. “Any beneficiary with an active and valid grant remains entitled to receive their payment,” he said, clarifying that only those who fail to complete their review within a three-month window risk temporary suspension. SASSA has also introduced a fourth payment date to ensure that beneficiaries undergoing reviews are not disadvantaged.

Why Reviews Are Necessary, and Beneficiaries Must Stay Informed

SASSA conducts annual income and status checks, mandated under Regulation 30 and Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act, to verify that beneficiaries remain eligible. Matlou pointed out that data from credit bureaus flagged 210,000 beneficiaries for potentially undisclosed income, triggering targeted reviews.

These reviews are designed to detect fraud, prevent misuse of public funds, and confirm that grant recipients are still alive and resident at their registered addresses. SASSA collaborates with other agencies to flag individuals claiming grants while appearing on employment or public payroll systems. While proactive, the agency stressed that reviews are not punitive, but rather aimed at preserving the integrity of the social assistance programme.

SASSA Encourages Honesty During Income Reviews

In addition to confirming payment continuity, SASSA has appealed to beneficiaries to fully disclose any changes to their financial or personal circumstances. The Sowetan Live report urged recipients to be “honest and transparent” while providing updated documents like payslips, bank statements, and ID cards.

Matlou reiterated that failing to report changes, such as newfound employment or additional income, can lead to grant suspension, repayments, or permanent lapsing if not resolved within the regulatory timeframes. Therefore, recipients are encouraged to proactively verify and update their grant status to avoid disruptions and remain in good standing.

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What Happens If You Ignore Review Notices?

Beneficiaries flagged for review receive SMS notifications and are required to update their information at a local SASSA office within three months of the review notice date. Failure to comply may result in automatic suspension, although no immediate halting of payments occurs.

In addition to stopping payments, SASSA may initiate debt recovery procedures against those who improperly received funds during this period. Both the CEO and agency representatives reiterated that communication and cooperation are key to preserving beneficiaries’ access to funds.

How SASSA Is Improving Communication and Access

To assist beneficiaries, SASSA has implemented several improvements:

• A fourth payment date ensures review participants still receive funds.
• The agency has dispatched over 140,000 SMS notifications to affected recipients, although some messages have failed due to outdated contact information.
• SASSA is ramping up capacity at local offices, particularly in areas with low compliance like KwaZulu‑Natal and the Free State.
• Plans are underway to introduce self-service and online verification systems to reduce office queues and improve access.

These measures aim to simplify the process and ensure that all intended recipients can continue receiving support seamlessly.

Stay Informed or Risk Disruption

SASSA’s updated review process seeks to balance fraud prevention with beneficiary protection. While no payments have been stopped during reviews, individuals must act promptly on review notifications, updating their information honestly and on time.

For beneficiaries:

• Continue to receive payments if valid
• Monitor SMS or post for review notices
• Visit your local SASSA office with required documents
• Be transparent about any income changes

For SASSA:

• Protecting fiscal integrity
• Ensuring only eligible beneficiaries are supported
• Updating systems to streamline and modernize grant management

By working together, stakeholders hope to preserve both the value and trust of South Africa’s social grant system.