SASSA announces ALL October payment dates for 2026

SASSA has confirmed the October 2026 payment dates for the Older Person’s Grant, the Disability Grant, and the Children’s Grant, giving recipients clarity ahead of the new month.

SASSA will pay older persons first, starting on 2 October. Recipients of the Disability Grant will receive their payments from 5 October. The Children’s Grant, which includes the Child Support Grant and Care Dependency Grant, follows on 6 October. SASSA has also set 7 October as the exceptions date, covering all grant types for recipients who don’t receive their payment on the earlier scheduled dates.

Why SASSA staggers payment dates

SASSA spreads payments across different days each month to ease pressure on banking systems, ATMs, and retail pay points. Older persons and people with disabilities receive priority payment slots earlier in the cycle, reducing congestion for recipients who may face mobility challenges.

Grant recipients who don’t receive their money on their designated date can still access it on the exceptions date without needing to query the delay immediately. SASSA has urged recipients to check their bank accounts or SASSA payment cards on their designated dates before visiting a SASSA office or pay point in person.

What recipients should keep in mind

Grant recipients across South Africa are encouraged to plan their October budgets around these confirmed dates. SASSA has reiterated its commitment to paying “the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place,” a message the agency ties to its broader effort to build trust with beneficiaries.

Recipients experiencing payment issues beyond the exceptions date can contact SASSA directly or report problems through the agency’s official channels, including its toll-free fraud and corruption line. With October’s schedule now confirmed, grant recipients have a clear window to plan school fees, groceries, and other essential expenses around their exact payment day, removing uncertainty that can otherwise disrupt already tight household budgets.

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