SASSA reviews November grant payment dates ahead of local government elections - IOL

Social grant beneficiaries may see changes to their November payment dates as SASSA reviews its schedule ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is reviewing social grant payment dates for November because of the upcoming local government elections on November 4.

SASSA has urged beneficiaries not to panic, saying all eligible beneficiaries will receive their grants.

In statement, SASSA said in March 2026, it announced the payment schedule for the 2026-27 financial year after approval by the National Treasury.

Under the original schedule, the Older Persons Grant was set to be paid on November 3, followed by the Disability Grant on November 4 and the Children's Grant on November 5.

November 6 was scheduled as the fourth payment day for beneficiaries whose grants are under review.

However, the schedule is now being reconsidered following the announcement of the local government elections.

In May 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the local government elections would be held November 4.

"Against this background, the payment cycle for November is being reviewed in view of the upcoming Local Government Elections," SASSA said in a statement.

"SASSA, after consultation with the relevant stakeholders, will announce the new arrangement in due course."

The agency said it remains committed to paying the right social grant to the beneficiaries.

IOL previously reported that South Africa will also have an additional public holiday in 2026, with Ramaphosa declaring Wednesday, November 4, a public holiday to coincide with the local government elections.

The additional day off is intended to allow South Africans to participate in the elections.

The declaration followed the official gazetting and proclamation of November 4 as the election date by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa in August.

Ramaphosa's declaration was made under Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, which allows the president to declare a specific day a public holiday across the country or in a particular area by publishing a notice in the Government Gazette.

Ramaphosa announced in April that the municipal elections would be held November 4, following discussions at the Extended Presidential Coordinating Council meeting.