According to the official 2026/2027 social grant payment calendar approved by National Treasury and published by the Department of Social Development, the following payment dates apply.
| Grant category | December 2026 | January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | Wednesday, 2 December | Tuesday, 5 January |
| Disability Grant | Thursday, 3 December | Wednesday, 6 January |
| Children’s Grants | Friday, 4 December | Thursday, 7 January |
| Exception payment day | Monday, 7 December | Friday, 8 January |
The exception dates are intended for designated cases and should not be interpreted as additional payments for all beneficiaries.
SASSA has also confirmed that the special payment adjustments made for November 2026 do not affect the original December 2026 to March 2027 payment schedule.
SASSA December 2026 Payment Schedule
December is one of the busiest months for South African households, with many families preparing for Christmas, holiday travel and back-to-school expenses.
SASSA will begin its December payments on Wednesday, 2 December 2026.
1. Older Persons Grant – 2 December 2026
Older Persons Grant beneficiaries will receive their December payments from Wednesday, 2 December.
The Older Persons Grant is available to qualifying South Africans aged 60 and older, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to plan their spending carefully because the next payment will only be made in January 2027.
2. Disability Grant – 3 December 2026
Disability Grant payments will follow on Thursday, 3 December.
The Disability Grant provides financial support to qualifying individuals who meet the medical and financial requirements.
Beneficiaries receiving payments through bank accounts can check their balances before visiting ATMs or retailers.
3. Children’s Grants – 4 December 2026
Children’s Grants will be paid on Friday, 4 December.
These payments include the Child Support Grant and other applicable child-related grants.
The money can help caregivers meet essential household expenses, including food, clothing and school-related costs.
4. Exception Payment Day – 7 December 2026
Monday, 7 December, is listed as an exception payment day.
Beneficiaries whose payments are affected by reviews or other administrative matters should follow the instructions provided by SASSA.
An exception date does not guarantee that every outstanding or suspended grant will be paid on that day.
SASSA January 2027 Payment Schedule
After the festive season, SASSA will resume regular grant payments on Tuesday, 5 January 2027.
January is particularly important for families preparing for the reopening of schools and other expenses associated with the new year.
1. Older Persons Grant – 5 January 2027
Older Persons Grant beneficiaries will be paid on Tuesday, 5 January 2027.
This will be the first scheduled payment of the new calendar year for this grant category.
2. Disability Grant – 6 January 2027
Disability Grant beneficiaries will receive their January payments on Wednesday, 6 January 2027.
3. Children’s Grants – 7 January 2027
Children’s Grants will be paid on Thursday, 7 January 2027.
This payment comes as many parents and caregivers prepare for the 2027 school year.
4. Exception Payment Day – 8 January 2027
Friday, 8 January, is listed as the exception payment day for designated cases.
Beneficiaries experiencing payment difficulties should contact SASSA for clarification.
How Much Will SASSA Beneficiaries Receive in December 2026 and January 2027?
The following are the applicable monthly grant amounts under the 2026/2027 social assistance adjustments.
| SASSA grant | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant (60–74 years) | R2,400 |
| Older Persons Grant (75 years and older) | R2,420 |
| Disability Grant | R2,400 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,400 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,420 |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,300 |
| Child Support Grant | R580 |
| Grant-in-Aid | R580 |
| SRD Grant | R370 |
The main increases took effect in April 2026, while the Foster Child Grant received a further R10 increase in October 2026.
Beneficiaries should not assume that the December or January payment will include a special Christmas bonus. Any additional payment would require a separate official announcement.
Will SASSA Pay Grants Early Because of Christmas?
SASSA’s December 2026 payments are scheduled for 2, 3 and 4 December.
These dates fall well before Christmas Day on 25 December.
However, the early-month payment schedule does not mean that beneficiaries will receive an additional grant payment later in December.
The next scheduled regular grant payments will take place in January 2027.
Beneficiaries should therefore budget carefully to cover expenses throughout the festive season.
How Long Must Beneficiaries Wait Between December and January Payments?
There is a longer-than-usual gap between the December and January payment dates.
For example, Older Persons Grant beneficiaries who receive their payments on 2 December will wait 34 days until the next scheduled payment on 5 January.
The same 34-day gap applies between the scheduled Disability Grant and Children’s Grant payment dates.
This makes careful financial planning particularly important during December.
When Will the SASSA SRD R370 Grant Be Paid in December 2026 and January 2027?
The SRD R370 grant follows a different payment process from permanent social grants.
SASSA assesses SRD applications monthly and releases payments to qualifying beneficiaries according to their individual payment arrangements.
The exact December 2026 and January 2027 SRD payment dates have not yet been officially confirmed for all beneficiaries.
Applicants should check their individual payment status through the official SRD website:
An approved SRD application does not necessarily mean that payment will be made on the same date as permanent social grants.
Do Beneficiaries Have to Withdraw Their Money on Payment Day?
No.
SASSA beneficiaries receiving payments through bank accounts do not need to withdraw their money immediately on the scheduled payment date.
Once deposited, the money generally remains available in the account.
Beneficiaries can withdraw their funds later when queues at ATMs, retailers and other payment points are shorter.
This can be particularly helpful during the busy December shopping period.
What If Your SASSA Grant Is Not Paid?
If your grant is not received on the scheduled date, check whether there is an outstanding review, banking problem or administrative issue.
SASSA has reminded beneficiaries to respond to official review notifications and keep their personal information updated.
Beneficiaries experiencing payment challenges should contact their nearest SASSA office for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will SASSA pay Older Persons Grants in December 2026?
Older Persons Grants will be paid from Wednesday, 2 December 2026.
When will SASSA pay Disability Grants in December 2026?
Disability Grants will be paid from Thursday, 3 December 2026.
When will Children’s Grants be paid in December 2026?
Children’s Grants will be paid from Friday, 4 December 2026.
When will SASSA pay Older Persons Grants in January 2027?
Older Persons Grants are scheduled for Tuesday, 5 January 2027.
When will Disability Grants be paid in January 2027?
Disability Grants will be paid on Wednesday, 6 January 2027.
When will Children’s Grants be paid in January 2027?
Children’s Grants will be paid on Thursday, 7 January 2027.
Will SASSA pay a Christmas bonus in December 2026?
The official payment calendar does not announce a separate Christmas bonus. Beneficiaries should rely on official SASSA announcements rather than unverified social-media claims.
Will SRD R370 beneficiaries receive their money on the same dates?
No. SRD R370 payments follow a separate monthly assessment and payment process.
Where to Get More Information About SASSA Payments
For payment enquiries, grant reviews and other assistance, beneficiaries can use the following official channels.
SASSA toll-free helpline: 0800 60 10 11
SASSA website: https://www.sassa.gov.za
SRD R370 website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za
Official government payment schedule: https://www.dsd.gov.za
Final Word: SASSA December 2026 and January 2027 Payment Dates
SASSA has confirmed that social grant payments for December 2026 will begin on Wednesday, 2 December, followed by Disability Grants on 3 December and Children’s Grants on 4 December.
For January 2027, payments will begin on Tuesday, 5 January, followed by Disability Grants on 6 January and Children’s Grants on 7 January.
Beneficiaries should take note of the longer payment gap between December and January and plan their festive-season spending accordingly.
Those receiving the SRD R370 grant should continue checking their individual application and payment status through SASSA’s official SRD platform.
Remember: Once your social grant money is deposited into your bank account, you do not need to withdraw it immediately. It will remain available until you need it.