Many South Africans who rely on the SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant were surprised when their payments suddenly stopped in December 2024 and January 2025. Even though they had been receiving the grant before, the money was no longer being deposited, causing confusion and financial struggles.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) explained that this was due to new fraud checks. Their online system for checking grant status, called eKYC, was turned off, and people were asked to go to SASSA offices to prove their identity through biometric verification. Unfortunately, most weren’t warned in advance, so many only realized there was a problem when the payments didn’t arrive.
Thousands were affected, and the delay in fixing the issue made things worse. Some had submitted appeals months before but were still waiting for a response. This raised big concerns about how well the system works and how transparent SASSA is in handling people’s needs.
Why Did SASSA Stop Some SRD Grant Payments?
In January 2025, SASSA said it stopped payments as part of a fraud prevention campaign. The agency found suspicious activity and paused payments for those flagged for review.
- eKYC Deactivated – Their online system was shut down, so beneficiaries couldn’t check their grant status online.
- In-Person Checks Required – People had to visit a SASSA office and go through biometric verification.
- No Warning – Many people didn’t get any notice and were caught off guard when their payments stopped.
Legal and Public Reactions
Several advocacy groups like #PayTheGrants and the Institute of Economic Justice (IEJ) went to court, saying SASSA wrongly excluded many qualified applicants. In one court ruling, it was found that 15% of approved applicants weren’t being paid. The court told the Social Development Minister to fix the issue and improve the grant value, but the department appealed the decision, causing further delays.
Why Are Appeals Taking So Long?
Although SASSA says appeals are supposed to be processed in 90 days, many people have waited much longer. Here’s why:
- Too Many Appeals – Thousands of people have sent in appeals, creating a big backlog.
- System Shutdown – The offline eKYC system slowed everything down.
- Legal Delays – Ongoing court battles and policy changes have added to the confusion.
What To Do If Your Grant Was Suspended
If you haven’t received your SRD grant, here are steps you can take:
- Go to a SASSA Office
Bring your South African ID, proof of residence, and any messages or letters from SASSA. Biometric checks are now required. - Follow Up on Appeals
If it’s been more than 90 days since you appealed, contact SASSA:- Call: 0800 60 10 11
- Visit: Your local SASSA office
- Email: The appeals department (include your reference number)
- Stay Informed
Keep an eye on news and announcements from SASSA or the government about changes to the grant process.
Common Reasons Your Grant Might Be Stopped
Besides fraud, your SRD grant might have been suspended due to:
- Incorrect Personal Info – Small mistakes in your details can lead to a rejection.
- Too Much Income – If your bank account shows income above R624, your grant could be declined.
- Duplicate Applications – Applying multiple times using the same ID may lead to automatic suspension.
- Pending Appeal – Payments can be paused while your appeal is being reviewed.