SASSA’s Old Age Grant disbursements for October 2025 will be made under the usual calendar with some key changes applied to it. The payment date has been fixed as Thursday, 2 October 2025, for older persons. Beneficiaries aged 60 to 74 will be paid R2,315 per month, and those above 75 years of age will receive R2,335.
Eligibility Criteria & Means Testing
To be eligible for the Old Age Grant, the applicant must be 60 or older and must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or a recognized refugee. Applicants must fall below certain income and asset thresholds, which if exceeded, disqualify an applicant. In addition, persons residing in certain state institutions are usually disqualified. Beneficiaries may not hold any other type of personal grant at the same time. Documentation may be required: identification, proof of residence, proof of income or assets, and marital status.
Payment Schedule & Other Grants
To ease up on crowding and pressure on the system, SASSA maintains staggered periods of grant payments in October 2025:
- Old Age Grant: Thursday, October 2
- Disability Grant: Friday, October 3
- Child Support and Other Grants: Monday, October 6
Payment of each grant type is coordinated to decongest pay points. Once the payment has been credited into a beneficiary’s account, it remains in the account until withdrawn, and there is no requirement that it be collected on the first day.
Biometric Enrollment & Security Measures
From 1 September 2025, any new grant application will require biometric enrollment, using either fingerprint or facial recognition, as are SASSA’s fraud control measures. A total of 42,000-plus individuals have had this enrollment done in offices so far. This is meant to improve verification, prevent duplicate payments, and uphold the integrity of the grants system.
What Beneficiaries Should Do
In the case of a person who is (or will be) an Old Age Grant beneficiary:
- Check your banking and personal details — make sure your account and contact details are all up to date to avoid any delays in fund transfer to you.
- Do submit any requested documents — especially when registering, changing bank details, or being enrolled for biometrics.
- Don’t panic on the first payment day — since the funds will remain accessible thereafter, there is no necessity to rush out to collect.
- The complaints must be lodged — if your grant fails to reflect, you let at least 2-3 business days go by to allow for processing; yet, if nothing is done then the toll-free number of SASSA (0800 60 10 11) should be called or one is to visit the closest office.
Also Read: Goodbye to Retirement At 65: South Africa’s New Retirement Age Explained