In a bold decision to maintain integrity in the social assistance system, SASSA has announced the cancellation of about 12,000 grants effective September 2025. These terminations represent part of a larger verification exercise to ensure that only deserving beneficiaries would continue to be supported.
Which Grants Are Affected?
The cancellations are not limited to a single type of grant. SASSA is targeting a range of benefits, including disability grants, child support grants, and older persons’ pensions. Many affected individuals are those whose circumstances have changed-for instance, income has gone up, they have gotten a job, or of the death of the main beneficiary-and failed to report such changes. Others are cases where fraudulent or erroneous payments were made.
Why is This Happening?
As explained by SASSA, the grant suspensions aim to serve two purposes: safeguard public funds from being misappropriated and prevent abuse within the system. They maintain that, given the limited resources, social assistance must be rendered to those who indeed need it. The agency states that systemic fraud continues to be an issue; hence, these cancellations form part of the routine audits and verifications to clean up the grants database.
How to Find Out If Your Grant Is Cancelled
If you are currently receiving a grant and it may get affected, here are the various ways to check:
- Visit your SASSA office with ID and grant details and ask directly.
- Call the toll‑free number 0800 60 10 11 and ask for your grant status.
- Check your SMS messages — the SASSA has in fact reportedly been sending notices to affected parties whose grants will be cancelled.
- Check your bank account: if no payment comes through on your usual grant payday, cancellation is a possibility.
- SASSA has since stated that its officials will never ask for a payment to have your grant reinstated.
The Appeals Process
If your grant has been discontinued, but you feel that the decision against you is incorrect or unfair in its application, your rights are not lost. You have a period of 90 days from date of notification to appeal. To do so, proceed to your nearest SASSA office and fill out an appeal form whilst attaching any relevant documents to support your eligibility (e.g., medical reports, proof of income, affidavits). The appeal committee will consider your case, and in favorable circumstances, reinstate your grant (including back pay during arrears).
Real-Life Consequences & What to Do Next
According to the complainant, Maria Nkosi of Soweto, she received an SMS saying her child support grant had been cancelled because her child was 18 years of age, which is above the threshold. She duly presented herself at the SASSA office with documentation and was informed there about the need to apply for other grants, with assistance given in the process. That instance brings out the fact that eligibility criteria still hold strongly, such as age limits.
Also Read: SASSA R350 SRD Grant October 2025: Full Payment Calendar & Tracker