SASSA reminder: Fourth payment date for October 2026

SASSA has confirmed **Wednesday, 7 October **as its fourth payment date for October. The date appears on the agency’s official October payment schedule. It follows the Older Persons Grant on 2 October, the Disability Grant on 5 October and the Children’s Grants on 6 October.

SASSA lists 7 October as the payment date for all other grants not covered by the first three dates. It also serves as the final check for grant recipients across all grant types. SASSA has issued a clear warning: grant recipients who do not receive their money on 7 October should urgently visit their local office. The agency says its grant may have been suspended because it failed to complete a review.

Grant recipients who bank their grants should check their accounts on the day. Those who use payment cards can check their balance at an ATM or retail pay point before travelling to an office.

Why reviews matter

SASSA reviews grants regularly to confirm that recipients still qualify – recipients who ignore a review notice or fail to bring the required documents risk having their payments suspended. A suspended grant does not reflect on the payment date, which is why SASSA links a missed payment on 7 October to an incomplete review.

Grant recipients who visit an SASSA office should take their ID document and any review letter or SMS they received. Bringing proof of income and banking details can also help to speed up the process. SASSA also urges recipients to keep their cellphone numbers updated, since the agency sends review notices by SMS.

Understanding the means test

SASSA uses a means test to decide who qualifies for a grant. The agency describes it as a financial assessment that checks an individual’s or household’s income and assets against a set threshold. The aim is to make sure that only people who qualify receive a grant. The means test applies to all social grants except the Foster Child Grant.

Changes in income or assets can affect whether a recipient still qualifies, which is one reason SASSA carries out reviews. Grant recipients who are unsure whether a review affects them can contact SASSA’s toll-free line on 0800 60 10 11. SASSA also shares updates through its official social media pages, including SASSA News on Facebook and @OfficialSASSA on X.

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