Sassa to millions: Your February grant is coming – ignore the rumours

Elderly

Cape Town – The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is set to roll out February 2026 social grant payments starting next week, reaching over 19 million South Africans.

Beneficiaries of grants such as the Older Persons’ Pension, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, and Care Dependency Grant are set to receive their funds on scheduled dates, while the agency also addresses false claims about changes to the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.

Payment dates are:

  • Older Persons Grant: 3 February

  • Disability Grant: 4 February

  • Children’s Grants: 5 February

Grant amounts:

  • Old Age & Disability Grants: R2,315 (R2,335 for 75+)

  • War Veterans & Care Dependency Grants: R2,315

  • Child Support Grant: R560

  • Foster Care Grant: R1,250

  • Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant: R370

Last week Sassa and the Department of Social Development (DSD) clarified that claims circulating on social media about expanded eligibility for foreign nationals or termination of the Covid-19 SRD grant are false. Only the National Treasury and DSD can change policies.

The Covid-19 SRD grant remains available for unemployed South Africans aged 18–60 who are not receiving other government support, including eligible refugees, permanent residents, and holders of special permits.

“The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) notes with concern information circulating on social media platforms that the Agency has updated its policy to allow foreign nationals to get South African taxpayers’ money under the guise of being Asylum Seekers and Special Permit holders. This information is incorrect, misleading and may cause unnecessary confusion to social grant beneficiaries and the public at large,” the DSD said.
It added: “SASSA wishes to categorically state and put it on record that no policies or regulations have been amended regarding the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD). In addition, no such amendments were announced either by the Minister of Finance during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Nokuzola Tolashe during her Budget Vote Speech. National Treasury and the Department of Social Development are two competent government entities responsible for any policy shift in social assistance.”

Sassa has received 14,135 applications from these groups, approving 8,368 and disbursing payments to 2,690 beneficiaries.

Sassa CEO Themba Matlou emphasised the importance of relying on official government channels to prevent misinformation.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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