South Africa’s Social Security Agency (SASSA) has cancelled 34,661 social grants following its largest-ever data-matching review. The exercise, which ran from April to December 2025, checked roughly six million bank accounts and eight million credit bureau records.

The move forms part of stricter eligibility checks ordered by National Treasury as a condition for SASSA’s 2025/26 funding. It aims to direct grants only to those who qualify. Beneficiaries of the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant appear most affected because of the tight R628 monthly means test.

Scale of SASSA’s 2025/26 Beneficiary Review

By December 2025 SASSA had flagged 291,581 grants for further review. After verification, the agency cancelled 34,661 grants outright and adjusted payments for another 8,599 recipients on the sliding scale for disability and older persons grants.

These SASSA grant cancellations deliver projected savings of R170.7 million in the 2025/26 financial year. The review process has since become a routine monthly check that continues into 2026.

What Triggers SASSA Grant Cancellations

SASSA cross-matches data from banks, credit bureaus, PERSAL (government payroll), SARS tax records, NSFAS and internal grant registers. Six main patterns push a file onto the review list:

  • Bank deposits that exceed the grant’s means-test threshold in any single month
  • Active employment recorded on PERSAL or through UIF contributions
  • New credit bureau activity such as store cards or vehicle finance
  • SARS records showing any declared income
  • Overlap with NSFAS student funding (around 14,000 of the 2025 cancellations)
  • Receipt of another SASSA grant such as the older persons or disability grant

A single once-off deposit—such as a family transfer or stokvel payout—can trigger a flag even if the beneficiary has no regular income.

How Beneficiaries Can Check Their Status and Respond

SASSA notifies affected people by SMS from short code 34197 or the word “SASSA”. The message usually gives a reference number and 30 days to submit verification documents at a local office.

You can also log into the SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za or visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID. If the scheduled grant payment does not appear in your bank account, your file may be under review.

To clear a false flag, beneficiaries must submit:

  • Original ID and a certified copy
  • Three months of bank statements
  • A short letter explaining any large deposits
  • s the money was a gift or loan

SASSA captures the documents and issues a tracking number. The review committee normally decides within 21 working days, although backlogs in some provinces have extended this to about 35 days.

If no decision arrives after 35 days, beneficiaries can escalate to the regional manager or lodge a formal section 18 appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) within 90 days.