SASSA December 2026: Payment Dates, Grant Amounts, and What to Know

As the festive season draws nearer, knowing when your next grant payment will arrive can help you plan how to spend it, especially with the extra expenses that often come with December. 

For South Africans who depend on monthly social grants, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed its payment schedule for December 2026. According to the agency's approved payment calendar for the 2026/2027 financial year, payments will begin on Wednesday, December 2, with older persons receiving their grants first. 

Disability grant beneficiaries will receive their payments on Thursday, December 3, followed by children's grant beneficiaries on Friday, December 4. 

Here's a breakdown of the payment dates and how much beneficiaries are expected to receive. 

SASSA November 2026 Payment Dates and Who Qualifies

Existing grant recipients can get their November payments earlier as SASSA adjusts its schedule ahead of the November 4 elections.

TechloyDavid Adubiina

When will SASSA pay December 2026 grants? 

SASSA will distribute December's social grants over three days, starting with older persons before moving to disability and children's grants. 

The confirmed payment dates are: 

• Older Persons Grant: Wednesday, December 2, 2026. 
• Disability Grant: Thursday, December 3, 2026. 
• Children's Grants: Friday, December 4, 2026. 

According to a report, SASSA spreads the payment arrangement across three days to reduce congestion and ensure beneficiaries receive their grants as scheduled. 

How much will SASSA beneficiaries receive in December? 

Following the increases announced by the Minister of Finance during the National Budget Speech, which took effect in April 2026, the approved monthly grant amounts for beneficiaries include: 

• Older Persons Grant: R2,400. 
• Disability Grant: R2,400. 
• Care Dependency Grant: R2,400. 
• War Veterans Grant: R2,420. 
• Foster Child Grant: R1,290. 
• Child Support Grant: R580. 
• Grant-in-Aid: R580. 

Beneficiaries of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant follow a separate payment schedule, so their December payment dates may differ from those listed above. You can check your SRD grant status here. 

What should you do if your SASSA grant payment is delayed?