Pensioners say SASSA payments stopped for three months with little warning

Many pensioners say they did not receive Older Persons Grant payments for three consecutive months and that SASSA did not warn them before payments stopped. According to The South African, readers flooded the comments on a recent story describing missed and delayed payments across April, May and June 2026.

Recipients report late or missing payments and no explanation

According to The South African, commenter Shelly Topham wrote that both she and her husband missed their Older Persons Grant payments. She said their grants were paid late and not on SASSA’s published dates for April 2026, May 2026 and June 2026, and that they received no communication from SASSA explaining the delays.

New certification and in-person review flagged by beneficiaries

The South African reports that Topham learned through other Facebook posts that an eLife Certification and an in-person review at SASSA offices are now required. She asked why SASSA had not communicated the requirement directly before payments were stopped.

Comments point to a broader communication gap

According to The South African, other commenters described similar experiences: payments stopping without prior notice and confusion over new steps needed to restore benefits. The article says this points to a broader pattern of pensioners left without clear guidance on requirements that directly affect whether their grants are paid.

Impact on vulnerable recipients

The South African noted that for recipients who rely on the Older Persons Grant to cover rent, food and medical costs, even short delays can leave them without essentials for weeks. The article also referenced the scale of SASSA’s operations, noting it administers support to more than 18 million recipients nationwide.

Readers invited to share experiences

According to The South African, readers who receive a SASSA grant were invited to share their stories via a survey and could stand a chance to win R2 000 by taking part.