SASSA Tightens Income Checks, Delays Payments for Thousands
More than 210,000 people who regularly count on SASSA grants for their monthly expenses are stuck in limbo this June. The root of the hold-up? A sweeping round of income verification after SASSA and credit bureaus flagged possible hidden income sources among its beneficiaries. SASSA officials are insisting on strict checks, saying the rules under the Social Assistance Act are non-negotiable: every beneficiary must declare any change to their financial situation, or risk losing the grant altogether.
This all started after SASSA’s checks in May 2025 revealed some weird gaps between what was declared and what credit reports actually showed. According to the agency’s spokesperson Paeska Letsatsi, it’s not about catching people out for fun—it’s about following the law and making sure money is going to the right hands. The numbers are huge, and letting things slide would only make the system more vulnerable to misuse.
Mandatory Reviews & Growing Scrutiny
People flagged in this process now have just 30 days to show up at the nearest SASSA office for a rigorous review—no dodging it. The checklist isn’t short: bring along all recent proof of income, your Smart ID, and be ready for lots of questions. Anyone who skips this can easily see their grant suspended or, worse, permanently cancelled. SASSA isn’t backing down; it’s a serious warning especially as reports of fraud swirl around.
And it’s not just the regular grants facing more red tape. There’s fresh scrutiny for new COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants too. First-time applicants now have to go through biometric checks—think fingerprint scans and face matching—which will slow down approvals but hopefully pull the plug on impersonators. SASSA says it’s worth a slight delay if it means less fraud.
This drive doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The National Treasury has put its foot down for the 2025/26 budget, forcing SASSA to provide detailed reports each quarter on how many grants have been suspended, and exactly why. They’re also pushing for heavy-duty cross-checking with data from SARS, NSFAS, UIF, and Home Affairs—no more working in silos.
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development is keeping a close eye on these new layers of verification. Some committee members have sounded the alarm about possible tech hiccups and system delays, with real people left waiting in the meantime. It’s a balancing act: keep the system honest without accidentally leaving the vulnerable behind.
Right now, SASSA is pushing out urgent reminders. If your grant is flagged or delayed, show up for the review as soon as you can. Bring absolutely all your paperwork: recent payslips, income proof, and that all-important Smart ID card. The message is clear—SASSA wants to cut down on fraud, but they're also asking everyone to help the process run smoother. The hope is that after this rocky patch, only those who truly qualify will get their grants, making the support system fairer for all.
