Why notifying SASSA about your move in 2025 is essential

Here’s why you must inform SASSA immediately if you move. Last month, the government gave the agency the power to stop payments to any grant beneficiaries flagged as questionable, without needing a formal review.

SASSA began by targeting individuals whose profiles lacked a valid 13-digit South African ID number. If you fail to update your address or leave your profile incomplete, you also risk losing your grant payments.

The agency has faced a tough year, grappling with budget uncertainty, Postbank failures, and persistent fraud and corruption. Despite these challenges, it claims the stricter verification process is helping combat fraud. That’s why you must notify SASSA if you move; failing to do so could result in your grant being stopped without any review.

LET SASSA KNOW IF YOU MOVE

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) distributes grants to 45% of the population and manages a budget exceeding R260 billion each year. To streamline operations and improve efficiency, the agency now flags any suspicious accounts immediately, given the vast amount of money, data, and addresses it must monitor.

The agency cross-references all major beneficiary information with the Department of Home Affairs, South African Revenue Service and your bank. This includes, but is not limited to, your listed address and monthly income. Of course, if you misrepresent yourself and/or your financial means, you risk being removed from the SASSA grant list, without review.

WHAT DOES SASSA NEED TO KNOW?

Thankfully, to let SASSA know if you move, you do not need to re-register as a ‘core’ beneficiary. However, if and when you do move – whether it’s just down the street or to another part of the country – you must let SASSA know if you move. You can do so via the following official SASSA channels:

• SASSA toll-free line: 0800 601 011
• Head Office of SASSA: 012 400 2322
• Email SASSA: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za

The agency is pretty poor at answering its phone, so you may want to visit a SASSA branch in-person. Just be ready to wait a longtime in the queue.

THREE-MONTH NOTICE PERIOD

Moreover, if the agency suspects something untoward and does select you for a SASSA grant review, it must do so with three-months written notice ahead of the review date. This will allow you to prepare yourself and ensure your finances and personal information are in order. As always, here are some hard and fast rules that will see your SASSA grant overturned:

• You misrepresented yourself/your finances in your grant application.
• If it comes to light that you’re earning more than the monthly income threshold.
• You acquire new assets that put you beyond the asset limit.
• If you haven’t claimed your grant for three consecutive months.
• You have left the country and no longer permanently reside in South Africa.
• If you move to and are cared for in a state-funded facility.
• You passed away.