Cape Town, March 24, 2026: The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has released a comprehensive payment schedule for the 2026/2027 financial year, giving millions of grant beneficiaries advance notice of exactly when they can expect their money — month by month, all the way through to March 2027.
The announcement, dated 23 March 2026, follows formal approval by National Treasury on Friday, 20 March 2026.
In a significant boost for vulnerable households, the Minister of Finance simultaneously confirmed grant value increases across all categories, effective from April 2026 — with the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, and Care Dependency Grant each rising by R80 to reach R2 400 per month.
How payment dates are determined
SASSA’s general principle is to pay grants as early in each month as possible, staggered across three consecutive days.
In most months, the Older Persons Grant is paid on the 2nd, the Disability Grant on the 3rd, and Children’s Grants on the 4th.
However, the agency applies additional rules to protect the integrity of the payment system: dates cannot fall on a Monday, the 1st of the month, the day after a public holiday, or over a weekend.
If any date lands on a weekend or public holiday, payment automatically shifts to the next working day.
Payment scheduling rules
- Payments must not fall on the 1st of the month or a Monday
- Payments must not be made the day after a public holiday
- Payment dates must not fall over a weekend
- If any date falls on a holiday or weekend, payment shifts to the next working day
| Month | Older Persons Grant | Disability Grant | Children’s Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 02 April | 07 April | 08 April |
| May 2026 | 05 May | 06 May | 07 May |
| June 2026 | 02 June | 03 June | 04 June |
| July 2026 | 02 July | 03 July | 06 July |
| August 2026 | 04 August | 05 August | 06 August |
| September 2026 | 02 September | 03 September | 04 September |
| October 2026 | 02 October | 05 October | 06 October |
| November 2026 | 03 November | 04 November | 05 November |
| December 2026 | 02 December | 03 December | 04 December |
| January 2027 | 05 January | 06 January | 07 January |
| February 2027 | 02 February | 03 February | 04 February |
| March 2027 | 02 March | 03 March | 04 March |
Grant amounts rise from April 2026
In what will be welcomed by millions of South Africans depending on state support, all major grant categories will receive inflation-linked increases from April. The largest absolute increase goes to the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, and Care Dependency Grant — each climbing R80 to R2 400 per month.
| Grant Type | Increase | New Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | +R80 | R2 400 |
| Disability Grant | +R80 | R2 400 |
| Care Dependency Grant | +R80 | R2 400 |
| War Veterans Grant | +R80 | R2 420 |
| Foster Child Grant | +R40 | R1 290 |
| Child Support Grant | +R20 | R580 |
| Grant-in-Aid | +R20 | R580 |
The increases were announced by the Minister of Finance during the Budget Speech last month and have now been formally confirmed by SASSA as part of the new financial year’s rollout.
For households headed by older persons or those caring for disabled family members,the combined effect of earlier payment certainty and increased grant values represents meaningful relief amid persistent cost-of-living pressures.
SASSA has urged any beneficiary who does not receive their grant on the specified payment date to visit their nearest SASSA local office for assistance rather than waiting or resorting to informal channels.
The agency warned against third-party services claiming to facilitate grant access, which often expose beneficiaries to fraud.
Also Read
SASSA confirms COVID-19 SRD payment dates for April 2026
SASSA Confirms Social Grant Increases for 2026/27
