SASSA expects to save more than R341 million in the 2025/26 financial year after ending about 35,000 social grants following tighter eligibility reviews and verification campaigns. The savings come from increased data cross-checks, biometric authentication, and stricter income and asset assessments mandated by National Treasury.
Why SASSA is tightening checks
National Treasury has attached strict new conditions to SASSA’s 2025/26 budget allocation, requiring quarterly reports on suspended or cancelled grants and enhanced verification processes. These measures aim to combat widespread fraud in the social grant system, particularly in the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant program, where investigations have uncovered large-scale identity fraud and applications made without beneficiaries’ knowledge.youtube
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development chairperson Bridget Masango confirmed that Treasury now demands regular income verification through database cross-checks with SARS (South African Revenue Service), NSFAS, the UIF, and the Department of Home Affairs, plus biometric authentication for beneficiaries flagged as suspicious. These changes followed reports revealing fraud losses exceeding R50 million in recent years and involvement of dozens of SASSA officials in corruption cases.
What reviews involve
The ongoing verification campaign requires grant recipients to submit updated documentation to confirm continued eligibility. Key documents include:
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Valid South African ID (13-digit barcoded or smart card)
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Proof of income (payslips, pension statements, or affidavits)
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Bank statements for all active accounts (last three months)
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Proof of residence (utility bill or local authority letter)
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Medical referral reports for disability or care dependency grants
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Marriage/divorce certificates and death certificates where applicable
SASSA also rolled out mandatory biometric enrollment to match beneficiaries to their applications, starting with staff and expanding to flagged recipients. This system cross-references fingerprints and other biometric data with Home Affairs records to prevent identity fraud.
Scale of the problem
Investigative work by civic tech organization GroundUp exposed shocking gaps in SASSA’s SRD system in 2024, finding application rates of roughly 90% for people born between 2002 and 2006—a figure far too high to be natural and suggesting organized fraud. In a small campus survey, 56 out of 58 people who had active SRD applications said they had never applied themselves, pointing to widespread fraudulent use of ID numbers.
SASSA’s Head of Grant Operations Brenton van Vrede admitted publicly that fraud cases are extensive, though he described efforts to reverify applications and implement stronger security. The agency identified approximately 70 fraudulent websites impersonating SASSA services and has been working to shut them down and warn the public.
Impact and concerns
Savings and system integrity
By discontinuing grants for ineligible recipients and closing fraudulent applications, SASSA projects savings of more than R341 million—funds that can be redirected to legitimate beneficiaries. Officials say tighter checks will restore public trust in the system and ensure grants reach those who genuinely qualify.
Practical challenges
Parliamentary committees and advocacy groups have raised serious concerns about the feasibility of Treasury’s demands, warning that SASSA lacks the capacity and infrastructure to implement biometric verification and data cross-checks efficiently. Key issues include:youtube+1
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Outdated databases that produce inaccurate matches, suspending legitimate beneficiaries by mistakeyoutube+1
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Insufficient frontline staff to handle the surge of people called in for in-person verification, leading to long queues and delaysyoutube+1
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Panic among elderly and vulnerable grant recipients who fear losing benefits during the review periodyoutube+1
Masango and other MPs argue that while fraud must be rooted out, the conditions imposed are “unachievable” under current resourcing, risking harm to the very people grants are meant to protect.
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What beneficiaries should do
SASSA has assured the public that valid grants will not be suspended during the review process, though recipients must respond promptly to any verification requests. If you receive a letter or SMS asking you to submit documents or visit a SASSA office, bring all required paperwork and any supporting evidence of your circumstances.
Anyone who discovers a fraudulent application in their name should contact SASSA’s call center immediately to begin biometric verification and have the false claim removed. Keep copies of all documents submitted and confirmation receipts, as these may be needed if queries arise later.
