SASSA March 2026
Everything You Need to Know
Payment dates, increased grant amounts, the R700 scam warning, and what to do if SASSA contacts you this month.
Updated: March 2026 · Source: SASSA Official
When Will You Get Paid in March 2026?
SASSA has confirmed the official payment schedule for March 2026. Payments started rolling out in the very first week of the month.
| Date | Grant Type |
|---|---|
| Mon 3 March | Older Persons Grant (Old Age Pension) |
| Tue 4 March | Disability Grant |
| Thu 5 March | Children’s Grants (Child Support, Foster Care, Care Dependency, Grant-in-Aid, War Veterans) |
| All month | Social Relief of Distress (SRD) — R370 |
SASSA spreads payments across three days on purpose — it keeps ATM queues shorter, especially in smaller towns and rural areas where grant days are very busy.
Grant Amounts Have Gone Up in 2026
Many people were hoping for bigger increases — some economists noted that the 3.4% rise does not fully keep up with rising food and fuel prices. SASSA says the adjustments are in line with the current lower inflation outlook.
Got an SMS from SASSA? Do NOT Ignore It
These review messages are not spam. They are legally required under the Social Assistance Act. SASSA sends them to confirm that you still qualify for your grant.
The review is simple — visit your nearest SASSA office and verify your details. It is a routine check to ensure the right people receive the right grants.
SASSA recently announced that around 70,000 grants were temporarily suspended after people did not respond to reviews or were found to no longer qualify. The agency has also introduced tighter checks — cross-referencing bank records, income data, and government databases — already saving about R44 million every month.
Scam Alert: There Is NO R700 Grant
A dangerous scam is currently spreading fast on WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Messages claim that SASSA has launched a brand new R700 grant and urge people to “register now” through a link. This is completely fake.
How the scam works:
- 1The message looks real — it uses SASSA’s logo and name to appear official
- 2It claims all South Africans under 65 can apply for a new R700 grant
- 3It directs you to a fake website link to “register”
- 4Once you click and enter your details, scammers steal your ID number, banking details, and personal information
- 5Some victims are charged fake “processing fees” of R50–R100 which disappear — with no grant ever arriving
How to stay safe:
- ✓ Never click links about SASSA grants from WhatsApp or Facebook messages
- ✓ Only trust www.sassa.gov.za and SASSA’s verified social media accounts
- ✓ If something sounds too good to be true, it almost always is
- ✓ Report suspicious messages on SASSA’s fraud hotline: 0800 60 10 11
Four SASSA Officials Arrested for Fraud
In a major development this month, four SASSA officials in Gauteng were arrested in connection with an alleged R4.9 million social grant fraud scheme. This is part of SASSA’s broader crackdown on corruption within the agency itself.
SASSA also reopened its Johannesburg local office, which had been closed since September 2025 after five officials from that office were dismissed following fraud and corruption charges. The office now has strengthened internal controls and fraud prevention systems in place.
What You Should Do This Month
- Know your payment date — 3, 4, or 5 March depending on your grant type
- Avoid peak queues — collect a day or two after the official date if possible
- Respond to any SASSA review SMS — failing to do so can suspend your grant
- Ignore the R700 grant messages — they are scams designed to steal your information
- Keep your bank and contact details updated with SASSA
- Note that new higher grant amounts only apply from April 2026