SASSA Confirms No Social Grants Suspended Amid Mandatory Eligibility Review Process

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reassured grant recipients that no social grant payments have been suspended. CEO Themba Matlou addressed the media this week to clarify ongoing concerns, following public confusion about the agency’s recent eligibility review process.

“SASSA remains committed to protecting the right and dignity of each beneficiary by ensuring that no one who qualifies is unfairly penalised,” said Matlou.

He confirmed that all approved grants remain valid and that the agency’s efforts are focused on verifying continued eligibility—not cutting off support.

“Beneficiaries are notified when their grants are due for review, and we encourage full cooperation to avoid any disruptions,” Matlou added.

Safeguarding Funds and Combating Fraud

The review, mandated under Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act, requires beneficiaries to update SASSA on any significant changes in their financial or personal circumstances. According to Matlou, the review is a legal obligation aimed at protecting the integrity of the social assistance programme.

“This is a legal obligation designed to safeguard the integrity of the social assistance programme and to ensure that public funds are directed to those who need them most,” he said.

SASSA explained that in April 2025, the agency scheduled payment delays for certain beneficiaries who were required to visit local offices and confirm updated income and personal information. This move followed collaboration with registered credit bureaus that flagged around 210,000 grant recipients as having unreported income.

“The agency has undertaken a review of its database and grant administration to root out fraud and make sure assistance reaches those eligible,” SASSA said in a statement.

The focus is especially on individuals whose incomes may now exceed the means test threshold or who failed to disclose additional sources of income.

Improving Communication and Strengthening Systems

To keep beneficiaries informed, SASSA has sent more than 140,000 SMS messages to individuals selected for review. However, some messages have gone unanswered—possibly due to outdated contact information.

“We are working on strengthening our communication approach, including through more robust community-level engagement,” said Matlou.

He acknowledged challenges faced by beneficiaries in accessing local SASSA offices and confirmed that the agency is actively monitoring office capacity and making adjustments where necessary.

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Matlou also warned that failure to comply with the review process could result in grant suspensions or terminations, and potentially even debt recovery of funds wrongly received. He urged beneficiaries to disclose all sources of income during application and throughout the period of support.

In efforts to boost security and efficiency, SASSA is finalising biometric identification infrastructure and aligning its operations with National Treasury cost-saving conditions.

“These conditions direct SASSA to find mechanisms to save cost through its review process to ensure money is not paid to undeserving beneficiaries,” Matlou stated.

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