SASSA Payment Dates for December 2026 and the Festive Season
These dates come from the 2026/27 payment schedule that SASSA published after National Treasury approved it in March 2026. Unlike November, none of the December payment days falls on a public holiday, so they are not expected to move.
SASSA Payment Dates for December 2026
| Grant | December 2026 payment date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | 2 December 2026 | Wednesday |
| Disability Grant | 3 December 2026 | Thursday |
| Children’s Grants | 4 December 2026 | Friday |
| Other payments (exceptions) | 7 December 2026 | Monday |
| SRD R370 | No single date | Check your own SRD status |
Grant-in-Aid is paid on the same day as the main grant it is linked to. Children’s grants include the Child Support Grant and the Foster Child Grant.
Older Persons Grant: Wednesday, 2 December 2026
The Older Persons Grant is paid first, on Wednesday, 2 December 2026.
Remember that the November pension was paid early, on 30 October, because of the elections. If you are a pensioner, the 2 December payment arrives about 33 days after your last one, so it may be needed sooner than usual. See our page on the revised November 2026 dates for the background.
Disability Grant: Thursday, 3 December 2026
Disability Grants are paid on Thursday, 3 December 2026. If the grant is paid into a bank account, the money stays there until you need it. You do not have to withdraw it on payment day.
Children’s Grants: Friday, 4 December 2026
Children’s grants are paid on Friday, 4 December 2026. This is the last of the three main payment days for December.
The Long Gap Between December and January
The festive season is the longest stretch between grant payments in the year. After the December payment, the next grant is only paid in the first week of January:
| Grant | December 2026 | January 2027 | Days between |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | 2 December | 5 January | 34 days |
| Disability Grant | 3 December | 6 January | 34 days |
| Children’s Grants | 4 December | 7 January | 34 days |
In that time there are three public holidays (16, 25 and 26 December), most schools are closed, and many households have extra costs for food, travel and the new school year. Planning helps:
- Split the grant. Divide the December money into weekly amounts and keep one week’s worth for early January.
- Buy school needs early. If children go back to school in January, set some money aside now for uniforms and stationery, before prices go up in the new year.
- Pay fixed costs first. Rent, electricity, transport and funeral cover come before festive spending.
- Avoid expensive credit. Interest and fees on short-term loans can take a large part of next month’s grant.
- Never hand over your card or PIN. It is illegal for a lender to keep your SASSA card, ID or PIN.
For school opening dates, see our South Africa school calendar 2027.
Public Holidays in December 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Day of Reconciliation | 16 December 2026 | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday |
| Day of Goodwill | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
The Day of Goodwill falls on a Saturday in 2026. Under the Public Holidays Act, only a holiday that falls on a Sunday moves to the Monday, so there is no extra day off on Monday 28 December.
Grant payments are not made on public holidays or weekends. This is one reason the main December payments are made in the first week of the month.
How Much Will Each Grant Pay in December 2026?
There is no special festive season bonus. December pays the same amount as the other months of the 2026/27 year:
| Grant | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant (60 to 74) | R2,400 |
| Older Persons Grant (75 and older) | R2,420 |
| Disability Grant | R2,400 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,400 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,420 |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,290 |
| Child Support Grant | R580 |
| Grant-in-Aid | R580 |
| SRD grant | R370 |
If you see a message about a “December bonus”, “festive top-up” or “double payment”, treat it as a scam unless SASSA itself announces it. Scammers use these messages to steal personal information and banking details.
SRD R370 Payment in December 2026
The SRD R370 grant is not paid on 2, 3 or 4 December. SRD payments are made after each month’s application is checked and approved, and the payment day can be different for each person.
To check your December SRD status, go to srd.sassa.gov.za, enter your ID number and the cellphone number you used to apply, and look at the December line. If December shows “approved” but no payment date yet, check again a few days later.
For common problems, see our SRD troubleshooting guide.
What If Your December Payment Is Late?
- Make sure the date for your grant type has passed.
- Check your bank statement, not only the balance.
- Check whether SASSA sent you an SMS about a grant review. SASSA’s schedule lists Monday, 7 December as the date for exception payments.
- If the money is still missing after the date has passed, call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free) or visit your nearest SASSA office.
Many SASSA offices are very busy in December. If you need to visit, go early in the day and take your ID and any SMS or letter SASSA has sent you.
SASSA December 2026 Payment Date Questions
When is the old age grant paid in December 2026?
The Older Persons Grant is paid on Wednesday, 2 December 2026.
When is the Child Support Grant paid in December 2026?
Children’s grants, including the Child Support Grant, are paid on Friday, 4 December 2026.
Does SASSA pay a bonus in December?
No. SASSA does not pay a festive bonus. December grants are paid at the normal monthly amount.
When is the first SASSA payment in January 2027?
Older Persons Grants are paid on Tuesday, 5 January 2027, Disability Grants on 6 January and Children’s Grants on 7 January. See our January 2027 SASSA payment dates.
Will the December dates change?
They are not expected to change, because none of them falls on a weekend or public holiday. If SASSA announces a change, we will update this page.