Government announcement is really good news for social grant receivers in South Africa! The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has already decided on the amounts and the dates of payment for the largest grants of January 2026 and this information has been made public, thus allowing the family planning of millions of people and, at the same time, easy access to their money. Whether the grant is the Older Persons Grant (about R2090), the Disability Support Grant (about R2150), or the Child Support Grant (about R530), just keep on reading!
Dates of January 2026 SASSA Payment Announcements
In January 2026 SASSA will pay social grants on different days instead of just one date. This staggered payment plan assists banks, ATMs, and collection points to better handle the customer flow so that no one gets into trouble getting their payment. The confirmed timetable is as follows:
- Older Persons Grant: R2,090 — 11 January 2026
- Disability Support Grant: R2,150 — 12 January 2026
- Child Support Grant: R530 — 13 January 2026
- Only beneficiaries having SASSA’s approved status and valid, up-to-date banking or collection information will be entitled to these dates.
Detailed Explanation of the Monthly Grant Amounts
- Older Persons Grant – R2,090: The monthly payment of the Older Persons Grant is intended to offer assistance to old people and therefore it is their basic need. The amount of R2,090 for January 2026 will be roughly the same as the costs of food, health care, transport, and other daily expenses for the eligible claimants who are mainly at least 60 years old.
- Disability Support Grant – R2,150 : The South African government, via the South African Social Security Agency, grants the Disability Support Grant to the physically challenged sector as a monetary advantage after they have evidenced their disability and complied with the SASSA’s rules. The amount of approximately R2,150 will be given to those who have been allocated the disability grant in January, which can be very helpful for their medical treatment and caretaking, disability equipment, and living expenses.
- Child Support Grant – R530 : The Child Support Grant is a form of financial assistance to families who are looking after children below 18 years of age. In the first month of 2026, each eligible child will be receiving R530, which will greatly benefit parents and caregivers by providing them with access to life’s basic needs such as food, school supplies, and clothing—the most essential items.
- Note: Social support programs might offer additional top-up grants for the kids meeting all the required conditions as part of their criteria.
How Payments Are Made
Through SASSA, the beneficiaries can choose from a number of different options to get to their money:
- Transfers to bank accounts (direct deposit)
- SASSA/Postbank cards (withdrawals at ATMs and retail collection)
- Payment points in supermarkets like Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Checkers
- To prevent any possible payment delays, it’s advisable to check and ensure SASSA has your banking and personal information updated and accurate.
Tips to Ensure Smooth Payments
Here are a few tips that if followed will definitely guarantee your grant payment for January is on time:
- Check Your SASSA Status Online: Before the payment dates, it is a good habit to verify through the official SASSA status portal that your grant status is “Approved.”
- Update Personal and Banking Details: Payments may take longer than expected because of outdated account information.
also read: New SASSA Grant Rules Taking Effect in 2026 – Who Is Affected