The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to help people who have no income or support. But recently, many recipients were surprised when their payments suddenly stopped. This happened in late 2024 and Early 2025, leaving thousands of people without money during an already difficult time.
SASSA said the grant stoppage was due to new checks to stop fraud. Their online verification system, called eKYC, was turned off. This meant people couldn’t check their grant status online. Instead, they had to go to a SASSA office for a face-to-face identity check using their fingerprints. Many only realized their grants were stopped when they saw no money in their bank accounts.
Because of the lack of warning, people were confused and frustrated. Appeals for stopped grants piled up, and legal groups stepped in to help. Some applicants who sent appeals months ago still haven’t heard back. This delay has caused major problems, especially for those relying on these grants to survive.
Why SASSA Stopped Sending SRD Payments
Stronger Rules to Stop Fraud
In January 2025, SASSA explained that they paused some SRD grants to stop fake claims. They found some issues in their system and wanted to make sure only the right people got paid.
- Online Checks Disabled: The eKYC website tool was taken offline, so people couldn’t confirm if their grant was still active.
- In-Person ID Checks: People were told to visit SASSA offices to prove who they are through fingerprint scans.
- No Warning Given: Many people weren’t told that their payments were going to stop, which made things confusing.
Legal Groups Took Action
Groups like #PayTheGrants and the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) said that many people were being unfairly blocked from receiving their grants. They went to court to push the government to fix the problem.
- Court Decision: A judge said up to 15% of approved grant recipients were not being paid.
- Next Steps Blocked: The court asked the Department of Social Development to work with the Finance Minister to improve the grant. But in February 2025, the government said they would appeal the ruling, causing more delays.
Long Delays and Appeal Problems
What’s Causing the Hold-Up?
SASSA says that appeals should be reviewed in 90 days, but many people have waited much longer. There are several reasons for this:
- Too Many Appeals: Thousands of people filed appeals, causing backlogs.
- System Problems: Turning off the eKYC system slowed everything down.
- Legal Issues: Court cases and policy changes caused even more confusion.
What You Can Do If Your SRD Grant Has Stopped
Go to a SASSA Office for Help
Because the eKYC tool is not working, people need to go in person to prove who they are. Bring these documents:
- Your South African ID
- Proof of where you live
- Any letters or messages from SASSA
Follow Up on Your Appeal
If your appeal has been waiting for more than 90 days, you should:
- Call: 0800 60 10 11
- Visit: Your nearest SASSA branch
- Email: Send your appeal reference number to the SASSA appeals department
Keep Up with the News
Stay informed by checking the latest updates from SASSA and government websites. Changes in the law or court decisions might affect when and how your grant gets paid again.
Reasons Your SRD Grant Might Be Suspended
Not all suspensions are because of fraud. Other reasons your grant may stop include:
- Mistakes in your personal details.
- Your bank records show income higher than R624.
- You or someone else applied for the grant using the same ID number.
- Your grant is on pause while an appeal is being looked at.
The SRD grant suspension in late 2024 and early 2025 has caused stress for many. While SASSA tries to stop fraud, the lack of updates and delays has hurt people who really need help. To protect your grant, be sure to complete your biometric check, follow up on any appeal you filed, and stay alert for new information. Taking action quickly can help you get back the support you deserve.