The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has refuted misleading messages spreading on social media suggesting that Old Age Grants or SRD grants will be stopped in May 2025 if documents are not updated. The agency emphasized that no grants will be cancelled, describing the messages as fake, harmful, and intended to cause panic.
The clarification comes amid a surge in users searching for terms like “sassa status check” and “sassa srd grant payment dates”, raising public concern. SASSA confirmed that grants are only reviewed at scheduled intervals, and beneficiaries are notified before any action is taken.
“We urge our beneficiaries not to panic,” said SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi. “This message is mischievous and false. No grant will be cancelled without due process and personal notification.”
The agency cautioned that the spread of fake news—particularly on platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp—has a detrimental effect on the over 19 million South Africans who rely on social assistance. Many had recently performed a sassa status check for R350 payment date updates, only to be misled by unauthenticated claims.
SASSA has reiterated the importance of using credible sources. Beneficiaries are encouraged to rely only on the agency’s official channels for updates on SRD payment dates, grant reviews, and sassa payment schedules:
- Facebook: SASSA News
- X (formerly Twitter): @OfficialSASSA
- TikTok: @officialsassanews
- WhatsApp: SASSA_Official
- YouTube: South African Social Security Agency
- Instagram: sassa10_za
SASSA’s toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 and the email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za remain available for direct support regarding grants payment dates or SRD updates.
Why is May pension only been paid on the 6th of the month. How would any other feel if the were paid on the 6th. Our money barely lasts until the next pension date, now it must last even longer. Can’t we get paid on the 2nd.
Due to the long weekend and public holiday on 1 May (Worker’s Day) in South Africa being observed and the Freedom Da on 27 April falling on a sunday Monday was not a work day which affected the SASSA Old Age grant, Disability grant and child grant