13/06/2026
🤔 IS SASSA UNDER PRESSURE TO CUT ITS SOCIAL GRANTS BUDGET?
This is a question that many grant beneficiaries are increasingly asking.
Across the country, there are reports from recipients who say their grants were suspended or terminated without them realizing it until they attempted to collect their payments. Others question why a grant can be stopped after a single SMS notification requesting a review, especially when the review process itself can take months to complete.
Should beneficiaries lose access to their grants while waiting for a review outcome?
Many also want answers regarding SRD R370 applications that have shown as approved for months or even years without payment dates being issued. If an application is approved, why are some recipients still waiting?
Another major concern is the challenge faced by applicants who no longer have access to the cellphone numbers used when they originally applied. Some have lost their SIM cards, changed networks, or stopped using those numbers altogether, making it difficult to access important notifications or complete verification processes.
Identity verification has also become a stumbling block for many applicants. Recipients often report repeated verification failures and difficulties finding assistance to resolve their cases.
At the same time, SASSA has highlighted efforts to improve efficiency and reduce irregular payments, leading some beneficiaries to wonder whether there is too much focus on cost savings and not enough focus on ensuring that legitimate beneficiaries receive the support they qualify for.
Many people believe there should be an independent investigation into:
✅ Long-outstanding approved SRD grants without pay dates
✅ Grant suspensions during review processes
✅ Identity verification challenges
✅ Difficulties changing old cellphone numbers linked to applications
✅ Delays in resolving beneficiary disputes
What do you think? Are these isolated administrative issues, or is there a bigger problem that needs urgent attention?
Share your experience in the comments.
