SASSA September 2026 payment dates and Gold Card deadline

The South African Social Security Agency has confirmed its social grant payment dates for September 2026.

Payments begin with the Older Persons Grant on Wednesday, 2 September.

Beneficiaries still using SASSA Gold Cards also face an important deadline. The cards will stop working after 31 August 2026.

SASSA payment dates for September 2026

The payment schedule is:

• Older Persons Grant: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
• Disability Grant: Thursday, 3 September 2026
• Children’s Grants: Friday, 4 September 2026

Children’s Grants include the Child Support, Foster Child and Care Dependency grants.

When will the R370 SRD Grant be paid?

The Social Relief of Distress Grant does not follow the fixed early-month schedule.

SRD payments will be processed in staggered batches during the middle and later parts of September.

An exact payment period was not supplied.

You do not need to withdraw immediately

Beneficiaries do not need to withdraw their full grant on the payment date.

Once the money reaches your account, it remains available until you need it.

Waiting also helps beneficiaries avoid long queues during the first payment days.

SASSA Gold Cards stop working after 31 August

SASSA Gold Cards will be deactivated after 31 August 2026.

The cards will no longer work at ATMs or store tills, even if the printed expiry date falls after the deadline.

Beneficiaries who rely on a physical Gold Card to withdraw cash or pay at stores must change to a Postbank Black Card.

Who does not need a Postbank Black Card?

Beneficiaries receiving grants directly into personal commercial bank accounts do not need to change cards.

The replacement applies to people who currently use a physical SASSA Gold Card.

How much does the replacement cost?

Replacing a SASSA Gold Card with a Postbank Black Card is free.

Money remaining in the beneficiary’s account will transfer automatically to the new card.

Do not pay anyone to replace your card.

Where to replace your SASSA Gold Card

Card replacements are available at designated Postbank points inside participating retailers.

These retailers include:

• Shoprite
• Checkers
• Usave
• Pick n Pay
• Boxer
• Spar

Not every branch will necessarily have an active replacement point.

Dial one of the following USSD codes to locate a nearby site:

• 120355#
• 120218*3#

Which documents should you take?

Take a valid South African identity document or an official temporary identity document.

Postbank will not issue a replacement card without the required identification.

How to avoid SASSA card scams

Postbank will never ask for your card PIN or one-time password during the replacement process.

Do not give your identity document or old card to unauthorised people outside official replacement booths.

Beneficiaries should also avoid anyone asking for payment to complete the free card replacement.

Key dates to remember

Gold Card deadline: Monday, 31 August 2026

Older Persons Grant: Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Disability Grant: Thursday, 3 September 2026

Children’s Grants: Friday, 4 September 2026

SRD Grant: Staggered payments during mid-to-late September.

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