When using SASSA grants in 2026 or planning to apply, it is important for you to get hold of the schedules in which payments for the different grants are to be made, particularly where payments for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants, namely, R350, R370, and R450, are concerned.
Confirmed SRD Grant Amounts for 2026
To the best of SASSA’s calculation so far, it has stayed at R370 monthly, after its recent change of R350 to R370 in 2024. Rumors of any further increases (i.e., to R400 or R450) in 2026 are surely something unconfirmed by SASSA or National Treasury and should not be taken into account unless poorly announced by either entity.
Why R350, R370 and R450 Are Mentioned
As to the figure variations, they show successive monthly SRD grants: R350 and R370. The first rule was R350 a month issued during the COVID-19 period, and then it was raised to R370 a month as help to beneficiaries. Currently, there is no official confirmation on incrementing the SRD grant to R450 in 2026-just rumors.
If during any given time, any changes in the amounts of grants are announced, as in the reason the amount moved from R350 to R450, SASSA or the South African government will typically publish this amount in a Budget Speech or official notice.
General Payment Times for 2026
While permanent grants such as pensions and disability are paid at the beginning of each month, SRD grants are paid according to a different scheme:
Permanent Grants (Older Persons, Disability, Child Support)
These are generally paid during the first week of the month. In February 2026, the elderly grants were paid on 3 February, the disability grants on 4 February, and child grants on 5 February.
SRD R370 Payments
The SRD grants are usually held off until the end of the month for SASSA to verify their eligibility and income. There is the allocation of R370 to all-approved beneficiaries in February 2026 for payment to be completed between 22 and 28 February.
It must be understood that SRD payment dates are not set once and for all because it is possible that the application reaches the SASSA servers before or just after the ten days it takes to reach bank systems. Hence, claimants are encouraged to intermittently check their SRD status online or through SMS notifications.
SRD Payment Operations
In contrast with a fixed single-day payment date for other grants, SRD payments of R370 usually take place over a number of days through the end of any month. It allows SASSA to confirm the beneficiary’s eligibility each month and then scatter the payment days.
- Planning Relatively to the Grant Payment Period
- So as to promptly receive fund payments and avoid delays and confusion, the beneficiaries are advised to:
- Have their banking details checked by SASSA to deposit funds directly into the owners’ bank accounts.
- Check whether monthly payment has been approved or not by visiting the site once in a while(social media or even SMS services).
- Note only communication on the official SASSA notices in case the grant amount or the payment date has since been changed.
Awareness of the payment timeline has a nexus with the recipient’s ability to prepare house finances and to set aside a percentage towards the most pressing needs, whenever the money arrives.