SASSA Tightens Grant Controls with Biometric Checks and Income Thresholds

PRETORIA — 16 September 2025

SASSA has intensified eligibility checks for social grants, introducing mandatory biometric enrolment for new applicants and revised income thresholds as part of anti-fraud measures. Existing beneficiaries must comply with income reviews triggered by SMS notifications to avoid payment interruptions.

New applicants must complete biometric verification starting this month to prevent fraudulent claims. Existing recipients placed under review must also undergo biometric enrolment. (SASSA announcement)

The agency raised 2025 eligibility thresholds: Old Age/Disability/War Veterans grants require under R107,800 yearly (single) or R215,760 (married). Child Support Grants have caps of R67,200 (single) and R134,300 (married), while Social Relief of Distress remains at R7,704 annually. (SASSA guidelines)

SMS notifications will instruct beneficiaries to validate details at SASSA offices immediately. Recipients must maintain updated contact information for alerts. Grants under review face immediate suspension during verification, with a fourth monthly payment slot added for affected clients. (Agency procedure)

Beneficiaries found non-compliant must repay received funds. SASSA cited one case of a Child Support recipient repaying R3,360 after job discovery. Required documents include updated bank statements, payslips and IDs. (Case example and SASSA instruction)

Three repayment options exist: immediate full settlement, equivalent instalments matching the overpayment period, or interest-accruing debit orders. SASSA states “no exception is made” for repayment difficulties. (SASSA repayment policy)