As South Africa approaches the month of May in 2025, the awaited beneficiaries will be waiting once again for their monthly grant payments from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). These grants ensure that disadvantaged people continue to live by certain standards. New updates with system changes indicate that beneficiaries must remain abreast of developments so that payments may not yet be interrupted.
Payment Dates and Grant Increases
For May 2025, SASSA has sanctioned, amongst others, the above payment dates. Grant payments shall commence on Tuesday, 6 May, and would be extended to cover all major grants, Including Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, and Care Dependency Grant. Beneficiaries may expect the disbursement to be released in the first week of the month.
In addition, with the announced payment dates, SASSA granted above-inflation increases for most grants during the 2025/26 fiscal period. The Old Age Grant has been raised to an amount of R2,315 for all beneficiaries over the age of 60. Beneficiaries over 75 years of age will get an increase amounting to R2,335 instead. The Disability Grant will now be R2,315, and the Foster Care Grant will have an amount of R1,200.
Transition to Postbank Black Cards
The biggest change in beneficiaries was the conversion from the SASSA Gold Card to the new Postbank Black Card. While the migration process was a near total success, a few recipients remain to migrate. To ensure that payments will continue without interruption, SASSA said the Gold Card remains valid until further notice. Beneficiaries who have not migrated should do so at selected retailers and Postbank branches.
Addressing Misinformation and Grant Reviews
Lately, rumors have circulated about this grant, mainly linked to the Old Age Grant. Some rumors suggested that payments might stop if certain paperwork is not updated. On that note, SASSA announced that no grounds exist for those rumors, and grants will not be canceled on arbitrarily. Only grants going for review may require documentation updates, and those affected will hear directly from SASSA.
Staying Informed and Avoiding Payment Delays
Beneficiaries must check their details to avoid delays. SASSA compares beneficiaries’ details with the Department of Home Affairs, and most discrepancies on name or marital status will cause the application to be declined. Any affected beneficiaries must update their records to the most current in order to be eligible for receiving grant payments into the future.
More than 19 million South Africans depend on social grants; therefore, it is important to remain informed. SASSA is constantly improving its systems for the benefit of seamless grants disbursement, thus urging beneficiaries to follow official co-providers in order to avoid disinformation and undue stress.
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