JOHANNESSBURG – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has delayed the payment of social grants for thousands of applicants who did not disclose that they had other income.
Sassa said on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, that it was supported by the registered credit department, saying it had “identified approximately 210,000 social grant beneficiaries who are believed to be receiving income that has not been truthfully disclosed to the agency.”
The Social Assistance Act and its regulations state that beneficiaries are legally necessary to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application.
Additionally, once your application is approved, you will be obligated to notify Sassa of any changes to your financial situation.
“Delivery to comply with these requirements could constitute a violation of the law and lead to corrective action,” explained Sassa spokesman Paseka Letsatsi.
“As part of this initiative, social grant payments to affected beneficiaries will be delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle.
“These individuals must present themselves at their nearest Sassa local office for grant review within 30 days of this notice, in line with Regulation 30 of the Social Aid Act.”
Letsatsi said beneficiaries who do not comply with the process are at risk of their grant being suspended.
“Continued violations could lead to permanent expiration of the grant,” a Sassa spokesperson said.
“This initiative aims for beneficiaries to see changes in their financial situation and update individual details.
“We are also trying to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system.
“Beneficiaries may be eligible for grants at the time of application, but they may be ineligible if material conditions improve over time.”
Sassa encourages all beneficiaries to disclose alternative sources of income and report additional bank accounts that have not been previously declared.
Additionally, beneficiaries using green barcode ID books are required to replace it with smart ID cards, as the risk of fraud associated with older ID formats increases.
Sassa has repeated a zero-tolerance stance against fraud, and if there is evidence of officials conspiring with beneficiaries to fraud the system, immediate disciplinary and legal action will be taken to protect the agency's integrity and prevent financial losses.
For more information about grant reviews, clients are encouraged to contact Sassa No Fee Customer Care Line at 0800 60 1011 or grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za.
