The South African Social Security Agency has suspended about 70,000 social grants nationwide after reviewing 240,000 beneficiaries as part of a large-scale compliance process. The review affects grant recipients across Gauteng and other provinces and has already reduced government spending by about R44 million a month, according to SASSA.
The process matters now because millions of South Africans rely on social grants as their primary source of income, while government finances remain under pressure. SASSA says the reviews are legally required and aimed at ensuring only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive support.
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Why SASSA is reviewing grants now
SASSA’s review process forms part of its obligations under the Social Assistance Act of 2004. The law requires beneficiaries to report changes in personal and financial circumstances, including income, employment, marital status, or contact details.
The current review drive is intended to improve the integrity and sustainability of the social assistance system, particularly as demand for grants continues to grow.
Speaking during a briefing, chief executive officer Themba Matlou said the agency must ensure that limited public funds are directed to those who qualify.
He said the review process is not designed to remove support arbitrarily, but to verify eligibility and prevent abuse of the system.
What the review process has found so far
SASSA has flagged nearly half a million beneficiaries for possible non-compliance or eligibility concerns. Of those, 240,000 grants have already been reviewed.
According to the agency:
• About 70,000 grants were suspended after beneficiaries failed to comply with review requirements
• More than 495,000 beneficiaries were identified for further verification
• Nearly 400,000 people have already been notified to present themselves for review
Suspensions occur when beneficiaries do not respond to review notices or fail to provide the required information.
How To Checks eligibility
To verify beneficiary information, SASSA has expanded data-sharing agreements with other institutions. These checks are used to identify alternative income sources or circumstances that may affect grant eligibility.
Institutions involved in the verification process include:
• The South African Revenue Service
• Credit bureaus
• The National Student Financial Aid Scheme
• Correctional services and other government databases
Matlou said data matching has revealed cases where individuals claimed unemployment while simultaneously accessing credit products or other income-linked services.
What non-compliance means for beneficiaries
SASSA emphasises that a suspended grant is not automatically cancelled. Suspension occurs when a beneficiary does not comply with review requirements, such as updating details or attending verification appointments.
According to the agency:
• Suspended grants can be reinstated once compliance is achieved
• Continued non-compliance may result in a grant lapsing
• Grants are not permanently cancelled without due process
Beneficiaries are expected to keep their contact information up to date to ensure they receive review notifications.
New systems introduced to support reviews
As part of the review programme, the agency has rolled out new digital and biometric systems aimed at improving accuracy and reducing fraud.
These include:
• Biometric enrolment for new grant applicants
• e-Life Certification, allowing beneficiaries to complete life certification remotely
• Automated data matching across government platforms
SASSA says these systems help prevent payments to deceased individuals and reduce reliance on manual verification processes.
Payment disruptions and new alert measures
SASSA has acknowledged that some beneficiaries miss review notifications or payment dates due to outdated contact details. To address this, the agency has introduced a fourth payment day in the grant cycle.
This additional day is used to:
• Alert beneficiaries who missed payments
• Prompt affected recipients to contact SASSA
• Reduce long-term payment lapses caused by missed communication
The agency says this measure is particularly important for vulnerable recipients who rely on monthly payments for basic needs.
Financial impact of the review process
According to SASSA, the suspension of non-compliant grants has already produced significant savings.
Matlou said the review programme is saving the state approximately:
• R44 million per month
• About R500 million per year
These savings, he said, help stabilise the social assistance budget and allow the government to continue funding grants for eligible beneficiaries.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng residents who receive social grants, the review process highlights the importance of keeping personal and financial information up to date with SASSA. Many beneficiaries live in urban areas where employment status, banking activity, or household circumstances may change over time.
Grant recipients who fail to respond to review requests risk temporary suspension, even if they remain eligible. SASSA says participation in the review process is essential to avoid disruptions to payments.
Balancing fraud prevention and social protection
SASSA says it remains aware of the tension between preventing fraud and protecting vulnerable people. The agency has acknowledged operational challenges, including long queues, limited capacity at offices, and digital access barriers for some beneficiaries.
Despite this, Matlou said SASSA is committed to maintaining dignity and fairness throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did SASSA suspend grants?
Grants were suspended due to non-compliance with review requirements, not automatic cancellation.
How many grants have been affected so far?
About 70,000 grants have been suspended following the review of 240,000 beneficiaries.
Can a suspended grant be reinstated?
Yes. Once beneficiaries comply with review requirements, grants may be reinstated.
What information must beneficiaries update?
Income, employment status, marital status, and contact details must be kept current.
How much money has been saved through the review?
SASSA estimates savings of R44 million per month.
What happens next
SASSA aims to complete about 420,000 grant reviews during the current financial year. The agency says it will continue notifying beneficiaries whose eligibility needs verification.
As the review process expands, beneficiaries are urged to engage with SASSA to avoid unnecessary payment interruptions. Further updates are expected as the programme progresses and additional reviews are finalised.
