SASSA Announces Oct 2025 Old Age Grant Date – R2,315 Due Thursday, Oct 2

When Themba Matlou, CEO of South African Social Security Agency rolled out the October 2025 payment schedule on Monday, the senior community across South Africa breathed a collective sigh of relief. The headline? R2,315 for the Old Age Grant lands in beneficiaries’ accounts on Thursday, 2 October 2025. That date, plus the staggered rollout for other grants, is the lifeline many over‑70s count on to cover groceries, medical costs and utility bills.

Payment Schedule Overview

During the October 2025 SASSA payment scheduleSouth Africa, the Old Age Grant will be disbursed on Thursday, 2 October. The following day, Friday 3 October, the Disability Grant hits accounts, and the rest of the portfolio – child grants, care‑giver grants and the newly‑added COVID‑19 relief payout – rolls out on Monday, 6 October.

Why the three‑day spread? Matlou explained that a provincial staggered approach eases crowding at cash‑point locations – ATMs, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite and Boxer stores – and gives the system breathing room to process the roughly 7 million payments without a hitch.

• Old Age Grant – R2,315 – Thursday, 2 Oct
• Disability Grant – R2,310 – Friday, 3 Oct
• All other grants – Monday, 6 Oct
• Biometric enrollment required for new applicants – effective 1 Sept 2025

How the Provincial System Works

Each province now has a dedicated payout window. For example, beneficiaries in Gauteng see the funds appear on their bank statements by the evening of 2 October, while those in the Eastern Cape might have to collect cash on the same day at a local shop. The agency urges seniors not to rush to the pay points the moment the money hits – funds stay in the account until the beneficiary decides to withdraw, which cuts down on long queues and the headache of “I missed my date”.

Those receiving their grant via direct bank deposit typically notice the credit within a few hours after the scheduled date. In contrast, cash‑point collectors should watch for SMS alerts from SASSA or check the website for province‑specific times. Matlou reminded seniors that the agency’s toll‑free line, 0800 60 10 11, is staffed daily to answer any timing queries.

Biometric Enrollment Rollout

Starting 1 September 2025, anyone applying for a new grant – be it an Old Age Grant, Disability Grant or the child support award – must submit fingerprints or a facial scan. The move, announced at a press briefing in Pretoria, is designed to trim the chronic fraud problem that has plagued the system for years.

Matlou emphasized that the biometric data will be stored securely and only used to verify eligibility. "Our goal isn’t to make life harder for genuine seniors," he said, "but to protect the R2 billion we spend each year on social grants from being siphoned off by impostors." Staff across 47 regional offices have already completed training, and new enrollment kiosks are being installed at major post offices and SASSA service centers.

Early pilots in the Western Cape showed a 23 % drop in duplicate applications within the first month of rollout. If the trend holds, the agency could save upwards of R150 million annually – money that could be redirected to increase the grant amount or fund additional health programmes for the elderly.

What Seniors Need to Know

Here’s the thing: the October schedule is firm, but flexibility exists. If a senior misses the Thursday window, the money stays in their bank account until they request a withdrawal. For cash‑point collectors, the same rule applies – the funds are held at the retailer until the beneficiary presents a valid ID.

Beneficiaries should double‑check their province’s exact date on the official SASSA portal or through the SMS service. If you’re unsure whether your bank has received the credit, a quick call to your branch or a look at your online banking dashboard will clear things up.

And remember, the biometric requirement only affects new applicants. Existing grant holders can continue to receive payments without any extra steps, although the agency encourages them to visit a local office for voluntary enrollment to further lock down the system.

Expert and Community Reactions

Dr. Ntombi Nkosi, a gerontology professor at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, praised the staggered rollout. "When you have millions of transactions on one day, the risk of technical glitches spikes dramatically. Spreading the dates province‑by‑province is a pragmatic way to safeguard the flow of cash," she said.

Local charities, however, voiced concerns about the biometric rollout’s accessibility. The National Pensioners’ Forum warned that seniors in remote villages might struggle to reach enrollment kiosks. In response, Matlou announced mobile enrollment vans will tour the Limpopo and Northern Cape regions every two weeks until the end of 2025.

For many seniors, the R2,315 amount is more than a number; it’s the cornerstone of their monthly budgeting. "I plan my groceries, my clinic visits, even my prepaid electricity around that grant," said 73‑year‑old pensioner Mamabula Dlamini from Durban. "Any delay would push me into debt," she added, underscoring the importance of punctual payouts.

Looking Ahead

Matlou hinted that future adjustments could see the Old Age Grant rise to R2,500 by 2027, pending inflation reviews. In the meantime, the agency promises to tighten its audit mechanisms and keep the biometric system under constant review to avoid privacy pitfalls.

Overall, the October schedule appears on track, and the biometric push is gaining momentum. Seniors are urged to stay informed, keep their contact details up‑to‑date, and reach out to the 0800 60 10 11 line if anything looks amiss. As the cost‑of‑living pressure mounts, that R2,315 grant remains a vital thread holding many households together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Old Age Grant be available in October?

The Old Age Grant of R2,315 will be credited to beneficiaries’ accounts on Thursday, 2 October 2025. If you collect cash, the funds will be held at your nearest pay point until you withdraw them.

Do I need to enroll biometrically for my existing grant?

No. The mandatory fingerprint or facial‑recognition enrollment only applies to new applicants from 1 September 2025 onward. Existing grant holders can opt‑in voluntarily, and mobile enrollment vans will visit remote areas.

What should I do if I miss the payment date?

Funds remain in your bank account or at the designated cash‑point until you claim them. You can still withdraw the money a few days later, but it’s best to check your balance and avoid unnecessary queues.

How can I verify my province’s specific payout date?

Visit the official SASSA website, send an SMS to the SASSA service number, or call the toll‑free line 0800 60 10 11. The portal lists each province’s exact date and the nearest collection points.

Will the grant amount increase soon?

SASSA’s CEO hinted at a possible rise to R2,500 by 2027, pending inflation reviews and budget approvals. Any change will be announced well before the new amount takes effect.