When will SASSA pay January 2026 grants? Full schedule, amounts, and what beneficiaries must know

South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens will begin receiving their first social grant payments for 2026 next week, as the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) prepares to roll out January disbursements nationwide.

Sassa remains one of the country’s most critical social protection institutions, administering financial assistance to over 19 million beneficiaries every month. These grants provide essential relief to pensioners, persons with disabilities, children, caregivers, and war veterans, many of whom rely on the payments as their primary source of income.

January 2026 Sassa Grant Payment Dates

According to the agency’s payment schedule, grants will be released over three days to ease congestion at pay points and banking halls.

Older Persons’ Grant beneficiaries will be paid on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, followed by Disability Grant recipients on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. All Children’s Grants, including Child Support, Foster Care, and related top-ups, will be disbursed on Thursday, 8 January 2026.

Sassa has once again encouraged beneficiaries to avoid rushing to withdraw their funds on the first day, noting that the money remains available in accounts and can be accessed at any time after payment.

How Much Are Sassa Grants in January 2026?

Grant amounts remain unchanged for the start of the year. Older Persons aged between 60 and 74, as well as Disability Grant recipients, will receive R2,315. Pensioners aged 75 and above will receive a slightly higher amount of R2,335.

The War Veterans Grant and Care Dependency Grant are also set at R2,315. Caregivers receiving the Child Support Grant will be paid R560, while Foster Care Grant beneficiaries will receive R1,250. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant remains at R370.

These payments continue to play a vital role in cushioning households against rising living costs, especially amid persistent unemployment and economic pressure.

Gauteng Social Development Under Fire Over R100 Million Underspending

While millions depend on social grants for survival, the Gauteng Department of Social Development has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that more than R100 million of its allocated budget went unspent during the 2024–2025 financial year.

The department’s annual report revealed that R102.9 million was not utilised, with no clear explanation provided for the underspending. This revelation has sparked outrage, particularly given the scale of social challenges facing the province.

Recent data from Statistics South Africa and the General Household Survey indicates that Gauteng is home to approximately 154,000 orphans between the ages of 0 and 17. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous year, highlighting a growing need for social intervention and support.

Leadership and Accountability in Question

Civil society groups have blamed weak leadership and poor planning for the department’s failure to spend its budget effectively. Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), argued that consistent underspending points to systemic dysfunction.

He stressed that political leadership must be held accountable when departments fail to deliver essential services, adding that responsibility should extend from provincial leadership to national oversight structures if corrective action is not taken.

Opposition Says Vulnerable Citizens Are Paying the Price

The Democratic Alliance has also condemned the situation, describing the underspending as a recurring pattern rather than a once-off lapse. According to DA Gauteng legislature member Refiloe Nt’sekhe, the department has repeatedly failed to meet its constitutional obligations.

She highlighted missed targets in disability services, inadequate support for community-based care, and failure to meet employment equity goals for persons with disabilities. Nt’sekhe argued that these shortcomings continue to marginalise already vulnerable groups and undermine their economic inclusion.

As millions wait for monthly grant payments to survive, critics insist that unspent public funds represent lost opportunities to provide care, dignity, and protection to those who need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will Sassa pay January 2026 grants?
Payments start from 6 January 2026 and run until 8 January 2026.

Can I withdraw my Sassa money later?
Yes. Funds remain in your account and do not expire.

Are Sassa grant amounts increasing in January 2026?
No increases have been announced for January 2026.

How many people receive Sassa grants?
Over 19 million South Africans currently benefit from Sassa-administered grants.

Why is Gauteng Social Development being criticised?
The department failed to spend over R100 million of its allocated budget despite growing social needs.