The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides monthly financial aid to millions of South African citizens who rely on social welfare programs. SASSA grant recipients and their relatives need to understand the March 2026 payment schedule because it will assist them with their financial planning and necessary expenses.
March 2026 Payments – Key Dates
SASSA has established the payment dates for most grants which will start on March 1 2026 during the 2025 to 2026 financial year. The official schedule shows that:
- Older Persons’ Grants will be paid on Tuesday, 3 March 2026
- Disability Grants are scheduled for Wednesday, 4 March 2026
- Children’s Grants and other linked grants will be paid on Thursday, 5 March 2026
The permanent grants which include the older person’s grant, disability grant, war veterans grant, care dependency grant, foster child grant, and child support grant will follow the established payment schedule.
What These Dates Mean for You
The bank account grant recipient will see funds arrive at their account on the designated date. You can access your funds whenever you wish after the money becomes available because you do not need to pick it up on the first day. The older person’s grant will deposit the approved amount to your account on 3 March 2026. Your account will show the funds by 4 March 2026 if you or your family member receives a disability grant. Families who depend on children’s grants will receive their payment on 5 March 2026.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant – Special Schedule
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 grant operates under different regulations from the permanent SASSA grants. The March 2026 payment schedule does not have a single fixed payment date which applies to all other payment days. The SRD payments occur throughout the month because the system processes payments after all applications receive approval through batch processing. The payment date for SRD grants depends on two factors including the processing date of your application and the successful verification of your banking information. Beneficiaries will receive their funds within a few business days after the completion of processing.
Tips for Beneficiaries
Always check your status online: Visit the official SASSA status portal or use the USSD code to confirm that your grant is approved before the payout date. Update your details early: Ensure that your bank account, phone number, and address are up to date on SASSA’s system so there are no delays. Be patient with SRD payments: Since SRD grants follow a rolling payment process, your exact date may not be known until approval is confirmed.
also read : SASSA February 2026 Payment Dates Confirmed – Full Grant Calendar Inside