SASSA News & Updates
Welcome to your one‑stop hub for everything SASSA. Whether you’re waiting for your old‑age pension, child support grant, or disability allowance, we bring the latest headlines, payment alerts, and practical tips straight to you. Forget scrolling endless pages – we’ve boiled down the most important info into bite‑size pieces you can read in a few minutes.
What’s happening with grant payments?
Payment dates are the lifeline for most South Africans, so any shift can cause panic. In the past month, SASSA announced a two‑day delay for the child support grant due to a banking system upgrade. The good news? The extra days won’t affect the total amount you receive, and the department has set up a quick‑response hotline (0800‑00‑5555) for urgent queries.
If you’re wondering whether your payment went through, the fastest way is to log into the SASSA portal or use the USSD code *123# on your phone. The portal now shows a real‑time status bar: ‘Processing’, ‘Disbursed’, or ‘Failed’. A ‘Failed’ status usually means your bank details need updating – you can fix that on the same screen without leaving home.
Policy changes and how they affect you
Last week SASSA released a draft amendment to the Social Assistance Act. The key point for most recipients is the new eligibility test for the old‑age pension. Instead of a blanket income‑threshold, the department will now consider household assets, like a spare car or a small plot of land. This means some people who thought they were safe might need to re‑apply, while others could qualify for higher payouts.
Don’t ignore the draft notice. SASSA invites public comments for 30 days, and your voice can shape the final rule. Drop a quick email to [email protected] or use the feedback form on the portal. It takes less than a minute, and you’ll get a copy of the final policy when it’s published.
Another change worth noting is the rollout of mobile money disbursements in rural provinces. If you’re in Limpopo, KwaZulu‑Natal, or the Eastern Cape, you can now receive grants directly to your M‑Pesa or MTN Mobile Money account. No need for a bank account or a cash‑out point. Just register your mobile number, verify your ID, and you’ll get a confirmation SMS each month.
For those still using traditional bank accounts, the process stays the same, but you’ll see a new ‘digital‑only’ option on your next statement. Switching is optional, but many users report receiving payments faster because the mobile network bypasses some banking bottlenecks.
Finally, keep an eye on the upcoming training webinars hosted by SASSA. They cover everything from “How to update your details online” to “Understanding the new asset‑test”. The sessions are free, recorded, and available on the portal’s ‘Resources’ tab. Watching them can save you time and avoid costly mistakes.
In short, the SASSA landscape is shifting, but staying informed is easy when you know where to look. Bookmark this page, check the portal regularly, and don’t hesitate to use the free helpline for any hiccup. Your grant is a right, and the department is bound to keep you in the loop – we’re just helping you cut through the noise.
