SASSA reminder: Older Persons Grant payment dates for October 2026

SASSA will pay the Older Persons Grant on Friday, 2 October, making pensioners the first group to receive their money this month. The agency confirmed the date as part of its payment schedule for the 2026/2027 financial year. Grant recipients who bank their grants will see the funds reflect in their accounts from that morning. Those who use SASSA payment cards can withdraw at ATMs and retail pay points.

SASSA usually pays older persons first because many of them rely on the grant as their only income. It also ensures that elderly recipients can collect their money before pay points become crowded later in the week.

What happens if the money doesn’t arrive

SASSA has set Wednesday, 7 October, as the exception date for all grant types. This date covers recipients whose payments did not go through on their scheduled day, including those whose grants are under review. Pensioners who don’t see their money on 2 October should wait for the exception date before visiting a SASSA office. Many payment delays resolve themselves by then, and waiting saves recipients a costly trip and a long queue.

How pensioners can protect their grants

SASSA urges older persons to keep their contact details and banking information up to date. Outdated cellphone numbers often mean recipients miss important SMS notifications about reviews or changes to their grants. Pensioners who receive a review notice should attend with the required documents. Ignoring the notice can lead to a suspended payment.

Grant recipients should also be wary of fake messages that claim to offer top-ups, new dates or “urgent verification” links. SASSA only communicates payment dates through its official website and verified social media platforms. It will never ask recipients for their PIN or banking passwords. Pensioners who are unsure about a message should check with a SASSA office before acting on it.

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