In late 2024 and early 2025, many South Africans who depend on the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) were shocked to find their payments suddenly stopped. These grants, which help people with no income, were suddenly suspended with no warning, leaving thousands in financial difficulty.
The main reason behind the pause in payments was SASSA’s effort to stop fraud. The agency discovered some people might be cheating the system, so they turned off their online verification tool and asked people to come in person for identity checks. Unfortunately, this change made it harder for honest recipients to understand why their money wasn’t arriving.
While SASSA tried to fix problems, many people’s appeals and applications were delayed. With thousands waiting for answers and no clear updates, frustration grew. Legal groups even stepped in, demanding that the government make the process fairer. In this article, we’ll explain why payments were suspended, what caused the delays, and the exact steps you can take to get your grant back.
Why the SASSA Grant Was Stopped
Stronger Checks for Fraud Prevention
SASSA announced in early 2025 that the SRD grant was suspended as part of a fraud-check operation. They were trying to stop false claims from people who were not truly eligible for the help. As part of this move:
- The eKYC online system was turned off, so people couldn’t check their status online anymore.
- People were required to go in person for biometric checks (fingerprint and ID verification).
- No one was given a heads-up, so payments simply stopped without any warning.
Legal Battles and Public Pushback
Because so many people were affected, civil society groups like #PayTheGrants and the Institute of Economic Justice (IEJ) took legal action. They claimed many rightful beneficiaries were unfairly removed. A judge later revealed that around 15% of approved applicants had not been receiving their monthly grant.
The court told the Social Development Minister to work with the Finance Minister to fix this, including raising the SRD grant amount. But instead of accepting the ruling, the department filed an appeal in February 2025, delaying any changes.
Why Appeals Are Taking So Long
Pile-Up of Applications and Technical Glitches
SASSA has a rule that appeals should be sorted within 90 days. But many people have waited much longer. Some reasons for this include:
- Too many appeals were submitted, which created a backlog.
- The eKYC system being offline meant things moved much slower.
- Ongoing court cases and policy changes caused even more delays in decision-making.
What You Should Do If Your Grant Stopped
If your payments have stopped, here are steps you can take to try and fix the problem:
1. Go to a SASSA Office
Because online checks are off, in-person verification is now needed. Bring:
- Your South African ID
- Proof of where you live
- Any letters or emails from SASSA
2. Follow Up on Your Appeal
If your appeal has been pending for more than 90 days:
- Call 0800 60 10 11
- Visit your local SASSA branch
- Email the appeals department with your case/reference number
3. Stay Informed
Keep track of news about SASSA. Watch for updates on the court case and any rule changes that could affect your payments.
Other Reasons Why Grants Might Be Paused
Besides fraud prevention, your grant may be stopped for other reasons:
- If there’s wrong information in your application
- If your bank records show income over R624, your grant may be declined
- If more than one application is filed under the same ID
- If you are waiting for an appeal decision, your payments might be paused