Recent updates to SASSA Old-Age Grants for August 2025

SASSA Old-Age Grants will see major changes in August 2025. Just yesterday, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe presented her social welfare budget vote for the 2025/26 financial year in Parliament.

The cost-cutting measures outlined by the agency will directly affect Old-Age Grant beneficiaries, particularly through stricter income verification and the addition of a fourth payment date to the SASSA schedule. Here’s what you need to know…

SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS IN AUGUST 2025

This week, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO Temba Matlou confirmed that the agency will introduce a new fourth payment date for Old-Age Grants in August 2025. This additional date will apply to recipients whose monthly grants were withheld while SASSA verifies their income.

Previously, SASSA had to provide beneficiaries three months’ notice in writing before a grant review could take place. However, since above-inflation grant increases back in April 2025, the National Treasury has been on a mission to cut costs, reduce wastage and generally tighten its belt. Now those under review merely receive an SMS …

QUARTER MILLION GRANTS WITHHELD

Since May 2025, the agency has withheld nearly a quarter of a million social welfare grants. However, SASSA maintains it will not wrongly suspend Old-Age Grants in August 2025. The agency has given beneficiaries under review three months to verify that their income and assets meet the requirements before suspending any payments.

However, the challenge SASSA finds using this new approach is that its offices/branches are now overwhelmed with people under review. Plus, SASSA admits that as many as 140 000 SMSes sent to clients were not delivered. This is because SASSA applications are often made on a friend/family members’ phone. These numbers change and/or the clients move without updating SASSA.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE UNDER REVIEW

As The South African reported previously, if you are selected for review, you will be asked to bring a recent bank statement, work payslip and copy your ID (plus your child’s ID if applicable). Moreover, if it is proven you over-stepped the income threshold, you can must pay back the money owed in full. SASSA can provide you a custom repayment system. Unfortunately, the ‘lay-away option’ for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 will accrue interest and end up costing more over the long term.

The new fourth payment date – which typically will fall on the first Friday of each month – is for beneficiaries who have resolved their income review. Three repayment options include doing so in-person at any SASSA branch office. Making a bank transfer to a SASSA regional bank account. Or arranging a debit order that goes off each month through your bank.

HOW TO APPLY FOR OLDER PERSON BENEFITS?

Nevertheless, if your financial affairs are above board, you don’t need to worry about your SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 being reviewed. New applicants can follow the below list of requirements:

• You must be over 60 to qualify SASSA Old-Age Grants 2025.
• Bring an official RSA identity document (ID).
• Provide all documents proving your marital status.
• Supply a proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it).
• Show all proof of income and/or financial dividends.
• Bring any information regarding assets, valuation of property.
• You must declare any private pension in your name.
• Provide a valid three months’ statement certified by your bank (no older than three months’).
• Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous employer.
• A copy of your will, and first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years.

WHAT ABOUT SASSA ASSET AND MEANS’ LIMITS?

Crucial to securing SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 is proving to the agency that you are sufficiently under privileged. Therefore, your assets and income cannot exceed the following: 

• Earn less than R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year) if single.
• Earn less than R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year) if married.
• Total assets must not be less than R1 372 800 if single.
• Total assets must be less than R2 745 600 if married.

If you are denied access to SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025, note that you do have 90 days to lodge an appeal with the Department of Social Development (DSD) HERE.

UPCOMING PAYMENT DATES

Moreover, while it is a slightly longer gap to the pay date for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025, thankfully the four-week cycle returns next month:

• AUGUST – Tuesday 5 August 2025
• SEPTEMBER – Tuesday 2 September 2025
• OCTOBER – Thursday 2 October 2025
• NOVEMBER – Tuesday 4 November 2025
• DECEMBER – Tuesday 2 December 2025

HOW TO CONTACT SASSA OVER GRANT REVIEWS

Those who have SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 under review can try these provincial contacts for urgent assistance:

• Toll-free number: 080 060 1011
• WhatsApp number: +27 82 046 8553
• Eastern Cape: 043 707 6300
• Gauteng: 011 241 8320
• Mpumalanga: 013 754 9446
• Limpopo: 015 291 7509
• North West: 018 388 4006
• Free State: 051 410 8339
• North West: 053 802 4919
• KwaZulu-Natal: 033 846 3324
• Western Cape: 021 469 0235