South African Social Security Agency beneficiaries can look forward to good news as the official SASSA calendar for January-February 2026 shows early grant payments and new bonus payments for those who qualify. These extra funds arrive at a crucial time when living costs keep rising and millions of low-income households struggle with school fees & other expenses.
The government’s move to release payments earlier and introduce a once-off bonus forms part of a wider strategy to deliver relief and promote economic stability. For many households, this initiative provides not only much-needed financial assistance but also a renewed sense of dignity and support during difficult periods.
Reasons Behind Early Payments and One-Time Bonuses
The Department of Social Development has pointed to growing financial pressure, back-to-school expenses, and rising food costs as the primary drivers for introducing bonus payments in January-February 2026. Advancing grant payments is also intended to ease congestion at pay points and enhance the overall efficiency of payment systems.
Main Factors Driving These Adjustments
– Support for back-to-school costs, including uniforms and transport.
– Shielding households from food inflation and higher utility charges.
– Providing pensioners and caregivers earlier access to essential funds.
– Recognising long-term recipients with compliant and clean records.
– Improving SASSA’s reliability in delivering payments on schedule.
These bonus payments will not be available to all recipients and are limited to specific groups identified as high-need or long-standing beneficiaries.
Official SASSA Grant Payment Dates for January-February 2026
SASSA has published a revised payment calendar for January 2026. The adjusted dates are designed to prevent delays and align with the start of the school term.
Updated January 2026 Payment Schedule
Beneficiaries are encouraged to stay informed through local SASSA offices and community leaders. It is advised not to rush to ATMs or retailers on the first payment day, as funds remain available in accounts for withdrawal at any time once deposited.
| Grant Category | Scheduled Payment Day |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | Wednesday, 3 January 2026 |
| Disability Support Grant | Thursday, 4 January 2026 |
| Children’s Support Grant | Friday, 5 January 2026 |
| Foster Care Grant | Friday, 5 January 2026 |
| Care Dependency Grant | Friday, 5 January 2026 |
| War Veterans Grant | Thursday, 4 January 2026 |
| SRD R370 Grant (Postbank Payments) | 24 January to 30 January |
February 2026 SASSA Payment Calendar With No Expected Delays
For February 2026, SASSA has indicated that payments will follow the standard early-month schedule, with no major disruptions anticipated. Bonus payments for eligible recipients will also begin rolling out during this period.
February 2026 Grant Payment Timeline
While dates may be subject to minor changes due to banking or system readiness, significant delays are not expected.
| Grant Category | Scheduled Payout Date |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | 6 February |
| Disability Support Grant | 7 February |
| Child Support Grant | 8 February |
| Foster Child Grant | 8 February |
| Care Dependency Grant | 8 February |
| War Veterans Grant | 7 February |
| SRD R370 Grant (Postbank Payments) | 25 February to February |
Eligibility for January-February 2026 Bonus Payments
The bonus, also known as a top-up benefit, will be paid only to recipients who meet the qualifying criteria. SASSA outlined these eligibility conditions in its January statement.
Bonus Payment Qualification Criteria
Eligible recipients will automatically receive a bonus ranging from R250 to R350, depending on the type of grant and household circumstances.
| Requirement | Eligibility Description |
|---|---|
| Must be a SASSA grant recipient | Applies to Old Age, Disability, Foster, and Child grants |
| Received grant for 3+ consecutive years | Must have consistent grant record since at least 2022 |
| No fraud or compliance issues | Must have a clean status with SASSA |
| Updated contact and banking info | Must have active, verified payment details |
| Not currently employed | Only unemployed or informal workers qualify |
| Living below poverty line | Means-tested households under R624 per person/month |
SASSA Disbursement Calendar and Bonus Top-Ups
SASSA has officially released its January-February 2026 grant calendar, confirming early payments and once-off bonus top-ups for qualifying beneficiaries. These measures are intended to assist recipients ahead of winter and ongoing increases in living costs. Bonus payments apply to Older Persons, Disability, and Child Support grants, subject to eligibility and compliance with updated verification requirements.
Important: Only recipients with verified records, updated documentation, and no pending investigations will receive bonus payments. Beneficiaries should review SMS notifications or use the SASSA status check tool to confirm eligibility.
| Province | Older Persons Grant Dates | Disability Grant Dates | Child Support Grant Dates | Groups Eligible for Bonus | Estimated Bonus Amount (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cape | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Older Persons, Child Support Beneficiaries | R370 – R500 |
| Free State | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Disability and Older Persons | R400 – R520 |
| Gauteng | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | All Grant Beneficiaries | R370 – R550 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Older Persons Only | R400 |
| Limpopo | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Child Support and Disability | R350 – R470 |
| Mpumalanga | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January / 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Older Persons | R390 |
| North West | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Older Persons and Child Support | R370 – R480 |
| Northern Cape | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | Disability Grant Recipients | R420 |
| Western Cape | 2 January/ 1 February | 4 January/ 5 February | 5 January/ 6 February | All Grant Categories | R390 – R530 |
Bonus Amounts by Grant Category
Qualifying beneficiaries can expect their bonus top-up to reflect automatically during the designated payment week. The SRD R370 grant will not receive a bonus for January-February 2026 but may be reviewed in future assessments.
| Grant Category | One-Time Bonus Payment |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Support Grant | R350 (Once-Off Assistance) |
| Disability Support Grant | R300 (Single Bonus Payment) |
| Child Support Grant | R250 (One-Time Relief Amount) |
| Foster Care Grant | R350 (Special One-Off Bonus) |
| Care Dependency Grant | R300 (Temporary Bonus Payment) |
| War Veterans Grant | R400 (Exclusive One-Time Benefit) |
Next Steps for Beneficiaries
SASSA has clarified that no application is required for bonus payments. Eligible individuals will receive additional funds automatically based on system records and compliance history.
Actions to Take Now
– Ensure your contact and banking details are current via the SASSA Services Portal.
– Check SMS or email notifications for bonus eligibility updates.
– Monitor your bank account or SASSA card during the payment period.
– Report any discrepancies through the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11.
SASSA January-February 2026Grant Disbursement Overview
New compliance measures take effect from January-February 2026, alongside an updated payment schedule covering January-February 2026. These changes include earlier deposits, bonus top-ups, and stricter documentation requirements.
| Category | Updated Information |
|---|---|
| New Compliance Rules Start | From 10 January-February 2026, stricter verification rules apply. These include enhanced ID checks, proof-of-life requirements, updated medical assessments, and guardian verification where applicable. |
| Early Grant Release Plan | January-February payments will be issued slightly earlier than usual. Beneficiaries are advised to keep personal and banking information up to date to avoid delays. |
| Additional Bonus Amounts | Child Support Grant: R480 + R50 bonus Older Persons, Disability & Care Dependency: R1,890 + R100 bonus Foster Child Grant: R1,050 + R50 bonus |
| January 2026 Payment Schedule | Older Persons: 2 January Disability: 3 January Child Support, Care Dependency & Foster Child: 4 January SRD: 26–31 January |
| February 2026 Payment Schedule | Older Persons: 3 February Disability: 4 February Child Support, Care Dependency & Foster Child: 5 February SRD: 26 February |
| Grants Covered | Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) including bonus payments. |
| Mandatory Documents | Valid South African ID (smart ID preferred), proof-of-life for older beneficiaries, updated medical reports for disability grants, birth certificates and guardian IDs for child grants, and court orders for foster care cases. |
| Payment Methods Available | Direct bank deposits, cash collection points, Post Office services, major retail outlets (Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer), and ATMs using the SASSA/PostBank card. |
| Help & Support | SASSA Call Centre: 0800 60 10 11 Official website: www.sassa.gov.za Beneficiaries may also receive updates via SMS or email notifications. |
Key Compliance Actions for Beneficiaries
– Update personal information, including ID, contact, and banking details, before January 10.
– Prepare verification documents for age, disability, child, and foster grants.
– Note the January–February payment dates and plan accordingly.
– Collect bonus top-ups together with regular grant payments.
– Stay alert for official notices via SMS, email, the SASSA website, or helpline.
– Report any issues or delays promptly at a pay point or through the helpline.
January and February 2026 mark a period of improved service and enhanced payments, featuring early deposits, bonus grants, and stricter compliance checks. Keeping information and documents updated will help beneficiaries fully benefit from these timely payments and additional support.
