SASSA begins paying February 2026 social grants across South Africa as millions of beneficiaries prepare for scheduled payouts

Millions of South Africans can expect some welcome financial relief this week as SASSA kicks off its February 2026 social grant payments.

More than 19 million people across the country depend on these monthly grants, and the agency has confirmed that payouts are about to begin.

If you’re a grant recipient, this is the week to check your dates, plan your withdrawals, and ignore the noise circulating on social media.

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Which Grants Are Paid and Who They Support

The South African Social Security Agency oversees several types of social assistance designed to support vulnerable individuals and families.

These include grants for older persons, people with disabilities, children, foster families, war veterans, and those needing additional care support.

SASSA also continues to administer the Social Relief of Distress grant, which remains a lifeline for unemployed adults with no other form of income.

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Confirmed February 2026 Payment Schedule

SASSA has released the official payment dates for February, and beneficiaries are encouraged to take note of when their specific grant will be paid:

Older persons will receive their grants first on Tuesday, 3 February.
Disability grant payments follow on Wednesday, 4 February.

Children’s grants will be paid last, on Thursday, 5 February.

As usual, once funds are deposited, they remain available — there’s no need to rush to withdraw on the first day.

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How Much Will Beneficiaries Receive This Month

Grant amounts for February remain unchanged, with SASSA confirming the following figures:

Older persons aged 60 to 74 and disability grant recipients will receive R2 320.

Older persons aged 75 and above, as well as war veterans, will receive R2 340.
Care dependency grants are set at R2 320.
Child support grants remain at R560, with the same amount allocated for grant-in-aid.

Foster care grants stand at R1 250.
The SRD grant continues at R370 per month.

These amounts apply nationwide and are paid directly into beneficiaries’ chosen payment channels.

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SASSA Pushes Back Against Social Media Rumours

Alongside the payment update, SASSA has issued a firm warning about false information circulating online.

Recent claims suggesting that the Covid-19 SRD grant has been expanded to include additional foreign nationals have been rejected outright.

According to the agency, no changes have been made to the grant’s eligibility rules, and no official announcements have been issued by the Ministers of Finance or Social Development.

SASSA stressed that it does not have the authority to amend social assistance policies on its own.

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Officials Warn Against Misinformation and Panic

SASSA CEO Themba Matlou cautioned that misleading claims shared on social platforms can create unnecessary confusion and tension among grant recipients.

He reminded the public that any legitimate changes to social grants would be formally announced and published through official government channels.

The Department of Social Development has also dismissed reports claiming that the Covid-19 SRD grant is coming to an end, calling those claims false and misleading.

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Who Still Qualifies for the SRD Grant

Under the current regulations introduced in 2022, the SRD grant is available to individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 who are unemployed, living in South Africa, and not receiving any other form of government income support.

Eligibility extends to South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers with valid documentation, and holders of recognised special permits.

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The Bottom Line for Grant Recipients

With February payments set to begin, SASSA is urging beneficiaries to rely only on verified government communication and avoid acting on unconfirmed social media posts.

For millions of households, these grants remain a critical source of support — and for now, the system continues exactly as before.