If you’re one of the millions of South Africans who depend on SASSA grants to make ends meet, you need to know about possible payment delays coming in June 2025. According to recent announcements, some grant recipients might not receive their money on the usual dates. This article will explain why these delays are happening, who might be affected, what you can do if you’re one of them, and how to plan for this situation.
Who Will Be Affected by the Delays?
Not everyone will face delays with their June payments. SASSA has identified approximately 210,000 beneficiaries who might experience delayed payments. These are people who SASSA believes may be receiving income that wasn’t properly disclosed when they applied for their grants or may have had changes in their financial circumstances that they didn’t report to SASSA.
As SASSA’s recent statement explains, “Social grant payments for the affected beneficiaries will be delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle.” The agency identified these individuals through a verification process with registered credit bureaus.
If you’re not in this group, your payment should arrive according to the normal June schedule, which is:
- 3 June: Older Persons Grant (Pension)
- 4 June: Disability Grant
- 5 June: Children’s and other grants
Why Is SASSA Delaying Some Payments?
SASSA isn’t doing this to make life difficult for grant recipients. The agency has a responsibility to make sure that social grants reach those who truly need them. The Social Assistance Act requires all beneficiaries to fully disclose their income when applying for grants and to inform SASSA if their financial circumstances change after their application is approved.
The current verification drive aims to:
- Prevent fraud and ensure the system’s integrity
- Make sure grants go to those who qualify under the rules
- Update beneficiary information in SASSA’s system
- Ensure government funds are properly allocated to those most in need
Mama Khumalo, a 62-year-old pensioner from Soweto, puts it simply: “We all know people in our communities who get grants but also have other money coming in that they don’t talk about. It’s not fair to those of us who really depend on every rand of our grants.”
How Do I Know If My Payment Will Be Delayed?
If you’re one of the approximately 210,000 beneficiaries affected by the verification process, SASSA should have contacted you already. The agency has stated that they are notifying affected beneficiaries through:
- SMS messages sent to the contact numbers in their system
- Letters sent to registered addresses
- Announcements in local media
If you haven’t received any notification but are concerned, you can:
- Check your SASSA status online at sassacheck.com or through the official SASSA website
- Call the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11
- Visit your nearest SASSA office to inquire about your payment status
Thabo Mabena, a community activist who helps grant recipients in Mpumalanga, advises: “Don’t wait until the payment date to check if you’re affected. If you haven’t received your usual SMS confirming your payment is coming, that might be a sign you need to visit the SASSA office.”
What Should I Do If My Payment Is Delayed?
If you discover that your June payment will be delayed because you’re part of the verification process, don’t panic. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Report to Your Nearest SASSA Office
The most important thing is to visit your nearest SASSA office as soon as possible. SASSA has stated that affected beneficiaries need to present themselves for a grant review within 30 days of the notification date (which was May 27, 2025).
When you go to the SASSA office, be sure to bring:
- Your South African ID document (original, not a copy)
- Proof of any income you receive (payslips, bank statements)
- Any other relevant documentation about your financial situation
2. Be Honest About Your Financial Situation
If you have been receiving income that you didn’t disclose to SASSA, it’s better to be honest about it now. The verification process will likely uncover this information anyway, and being forthcoming might help you avoid more serious consequences.
Nosipho Dlamini, a social worker in KwaZulu-Natal, explains: “If someone has a small side business or gets occasional help from family, they might not have realized they needed to report this. SASSA understands that sometimes there’s confusion, but they need accurate information to make fair decisions.”
3. Update Your Personal Details
While at the SASSA office, make sure all your personal information is up to date, including:
- Your current address
- Contact phone number
- Banking details (if you receive your grant via bank deposit)
Having correct information in the system will help prevent future issues with your payments.
What Happens If I Don’t Respond to SASSA’s Request?
SASSA has been clear about the consequences of not responding to this verification process. If you’re among the affected beneficiaries and don’t present yourself at a SASSA office for review:
- Your grant could be suspended temporarily
- With continued non-compliance, your grant could be permanently lapsed (cancelled)
This is not something to ignore or put off dealing with. Your financial wellbeing depends on taking action quickly if you’ve been notified that you’re part of this verification process.
How Can I Prepare for a Possible Delay?
If you think you might be affected by the June payment delays, here are some practical steps to prepare:
1. Build an Emergency Buffer If Possible
If you can set aside even a small amount from your May payment, it could help you manage if your June payment is delayed. Even R50 or R100 kept aside could make a difference.
2. Speak with Creditors in Advance
If you have regular payments like rent, school fees, or store accounts that you usually pay with your grant money, speak with those people in advance. Explain the situation and ask if they can be flexible with payment dates if necessary.
Bongani Mokoena, who runs a small spaza shop in Alexandra, says: “If my customers who get grants tell me in advance there might be a delay, I can work with them. We’re all part of the same community and need to help each other through tough times.”
3. Look for Temporary Support
If you’re facing a delay, check if you can get temporary help from:
- Family members
- Church or community groups
- Local non-profit organizations
- Community soup kitchens
Many communities have support systems that can help bridge the gap during difficult times.
4. Prioritize Essential Expenses
If your payment is delayed, focus your available resources on absolute necessities first:
- Food
- Essential medication
- Transport for medical appointments
- Basic hygiene items
Less urgent expenses may need to wait until your grant payment comes through.
Understanding the Broader Context
This verification process comes as part of SASSA’s ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of the social grant system. In recent months, the agency has been implementing several measures to improve how grants are managed and distributed.
For context, SASSA pays grants to approximately 19 million South Africans monthly, with payments totaling billions of rand. The social grant system is a critical safety net for many vulnerable South Africans, which is why the agency is working to ensure it operates efficiently and reaches those who truly need assistance.
Common Questions About the June Payment Delays
Will I lose my grant completely if my payment is delayed?
Not necessarily. The delay is for verification purposes. If you respond promptly to SASSA’s request to visit their office and your situation meets the eligibility criteria, your grant should continue, though the June payment might come later than usual.
How long will the delay last if I’m affected?
SASSA hasn’t specified exactly how long the verification process will take for each individual. However, they have indicated that once a beneficiary has been successfully verified, it shouldn’t take more than a week for them to receive their grant money.
What if I have a genuine emergency while waiting for my delayed payment?
If you face a genuine emergency like needing urgent medication or having no food, explain your situation when you visit the SASSA office. In some cases, they may be able to expedite your verification process or direct you to emergency social relief services.
Will this affect all my future payments or just June?
If you complete the verification process successfully, this should only affect your June payment. Future payments should return to the normal schedule, assuming your circumstances don’t change.
What if I disclosed all my income correctly but still got flagged for verification?
Sometimes the system flags accounts based on patterns or information that needs clarification. If you’ve been fully transparent about your income and circumstances, bring all supporting documentation to the SASSA office, and the verification process should resolve the issue.
Stories from the Community
Gogo Nkosi, a 78-year-old pensioner from Durban, shares her experience with a previous SASSA verification: “Last year they called me to bring my ID and proof that I’m still alive. I was worried at first, but my neighbor’s son took me to the SASSA office, and everything was sorted out in one day. My payment just came a few days later than usual.”
Similarly, Sipho Zungu, a disability grant recipient from Cape Town, advises: “When they need to check your information, just go as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the longer your money will take to come through. And be honest – they have ways of finding out if you’re not telling the truth.”
A Message from SASSA
SASSA officials have emphasized that this verification process is not intended to punish recipients but to ensure the system works as it should. “Our goal is to make sure that social assistance reaches those who genuinely need it,” a representative explained. “We’re committed to paying the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place – that’s our motto.”
The agency also reminds beneficiaries to be vigilant against scams. SASSA will never ask you to pay money to receive your grant or to share your PIN or banking passwords over the phone. All official communications come through verified channels like the SASSA website, official SMS notifications, or letters on SASSA letterhead.
Looking Forward
After the June verification process is complete, SASSA has indicated that they plan to conduct similar checks more regularly in the future. The agency stated that “in the 2025/2026 financial year, we will intensify our measures to ensure eligibility by regularly identifying clients on a monthly basis.”
While these verification processes might cause temporary inconvenience, they’re designed to strengthen the social grant system for everyone who depends on it.
Community Support and Solidarity
During times of uncertainty like this, community support becomes even more important. If you know someone who receives a SASSA grant, especially elderly neighbors or those with disabilities, check if they’re aware of the possible delays and offer help if they need to visit a SASSA office.
Reverend Malusi Buthelezi, who runs a community outreach program in Eastern Cape, encourages: “In our Ubuntu tradition, we look out for each other. If your neighbor’s grant is delayed but yours isn’t, perhaps you can share a meal or help with transport to the SASSA office. These small acts of kindness make a big difference during challenging times.
