The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that the payment schedule for different social grants in January 2026 is now ready. The monthly SASSA payments have remained the only means of survival for millions of people who usually spend the money on basic daily needs such as food, transport, electricity, and even healthcare. As the new year unfolds, SASSA has already taken measures to educate the beneficiaries on the importance of knowing the dates correctly and also keeping their payment details updated so that they can avoid delays.
SASSA Grant Payment Dates in January 2026 – Comprehensive List
To reduce the number of people at the distribution points, SASSA has decided to stick with the monthly distribution system. January 2026 has the following payment dates:
- Older Persons Grant: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- Disability Grant: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Children’s Grants (Child Support, Foster Child, Care Dependency): Thursday, January 8, 2026
The money will be there from the early hours of the mornings on the designated days and will be available all day.
Grants Included in the January 2026 Schedule
Every SASSA social grant categorized as permanent will receive payment in January, and this includes:
- Older Persons (Pension) Grant
- Disability Grant
- Child Support Grant
- Foster Child Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
- Grant-in-Aid
Cash will be transferred through the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, SASSA cards, ATMs, and partner retailers such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Checkers.
What is the R370 SRD Grant’s Current State?
The R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has an alternate payment mechanism. Payment for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will be processed in batches throughout the month instead of specific dates. It is strongly advised that all primary receivers check the payment status via the internet frequently since the dates might differ based on the respective verification and banking procedures.
Important Tips for Beneficiaries
SASSA provided Fears tipped the beneficiaries for January 2026 payments:
- Don’t rush on the first payment day; the funds are in the accounts until withdrawal.
- Always make sure that your bank details and contact information are updated for the payments to go through smoothly.
- Never disclose any personal information or one-time passwords as fraudsters are on the lookout for grant recipients during this period and trick them by making them believe they are the ones calling.
If the bank of the beneficiary has changed, he/she should confirm that the update was processed smoothly.
What to Do When Your Payment Is Delayed
In case the payment has not been received on the date you expected, beneficiaries must wait at least 24 to 48 hours as the banking network might take time to update. If the payment issue persists, get in touch with SASSA through their official helpline or go to the nearest SASSA office with your ID for support.