SASSA has released the official 2026 grant payment calendar for February and March, giving beneficiaries prior notice of when the social assistance will be available. The schedule covers key social grants such as the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, and Children’s Grants, with separate payment cycles for Social Relief of Distress (SRD) payments.
February 2026 Grant Payment Schedule
SASSA announced that commitment days for February 2026 would be in the first week of the month. The Older Persons Grant beneficiaries will have the cash in their hands on Tuesday, 3 February 2026; the noise and riots and destruction of grant ATM facilities will abate only after this group of beneficiaries is paid. The Disabled Persons Grants will follow, and beneficiaries can hit the bank or the ATM on Wednesday, 4 February 2026. The Foster Parents Child Care Grant shall be arriving on Thursday, 5 February 2026, signaling the termination of the mainstream February grant cycle. This approach mitigates congestion at pay points and gives beneficiaries the opportunity to save money with less pressure.
The SARSA also usually pays SRD R370 grants at the end of the month and after verification. For the 2026 finance year, SRD payments are expected to fall within the days from about 24 February to 2 March 2026 for those found entitled to the grants.
March 2026 Grant Payment Schedule
As we move towards March, SASSA has also confirmed the payment dates for the next payment cycle. The Old Age Grant will be paid in this cycle on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, with the Disabilities Grants to follow the next day on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. The normal payment trail will progress within Children Grants and the rest on 5 March 2026. SRD payments for March are usually done in the later part of the month, typically at the month end.
Some important facts for the beneficiaries
Beneficiaries will remember the notification given by SACSO that in case a scheduled pay date will come on a weekend or a public holiday; in that case, the pay date will flip onto the adjacent working-day. Beneficiaries must confirm their account details instead of standing so much stigma with financial institution, long before the payment due date, to avoid any intermediary. Such funds usually remain in your account long after the pay date, so you do not have to withdraw it timely.