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Banking & Payments

Grant Under Review? Fourth Payment Day

If SASSA paid you on a different day than other beneficiaries, your grant may be under review. Here is what the fourth payment day is, why it happens, and what you must do to get back on the normal payment cycle.

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ZA
Lucky Cungwa

SASSA Help Hub — Independent Unofficial Resource

Updated: 8/20/2026
8 minutes
Written by Lucky Cungwa
Fact-checked & last verified: 2026-08-20

Guide Contents

What Is the Fourth Payment Day?Why Can Some Beneficiaries Be Paid Later?What Does a Review Have to Do with Payment?What Does 'Under Review' Mean?How Will You Know SASSA Needs Something From You?What Documents May Be Requested?What Happens After a Review?Historical Example: August 2026 (Already Passed)What If You Were Approved but Did Not Receive Payment?What If You Did Not Receive an SMS?What Should You Do in the Next Payment Cycle?

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

What Is the Fourth Payment Day?

SASSA normally pays social grants over three working days: Older Persons Grants first, then Disability Grants, then Children's Grants. A fourth payment day is used for beneficiaries whose grants have been selected for review. If you receive your grant on the fourth day, it means SASSA needs you to complete a grant review. This is not a penalty - it is a standard verification process required by the Social Assistance Act. You are still receiving your money; you just need to take an extra step afterward.

Pro Tip

  • The fourth payment day is always the day after Children's Grants are paid.
  • If you are unsure whether you were paid on the fourth day, check the date of your last deposit.
2

Why Can Some Beneficiaries Be Paid Later?

Not every beneficiary is paid on the same day. The first three days cover grants that have passed all checks. Beneficiaries whose grants are under review - for example, because their details are being re-verified or their income needs to be re-assessed - are paid on a separate fourth day once their review status is cleared for that month. Your own pay day depends on your grant type, your review status, and whether your banking details have been verified.

Pro Tip

  • Your neighbours may be paid on a different day to you - that is normal.
  • Your 'Pay Day' date on your status is the date to trust, not the general schedule.
3

What Does a Review Have to Do with Payment?

A review is a check that you still qualify for the grant. When your grant is selected for review, SASSA holds your payment until the review is processed so it can confirm your details are correct. In months when your grant is under review, you are paid on the fourth payment day instead of your normal day. Completing the review returns your grant to the standard three-day cycle from the following month.

Pro Tip

  • Being under review is not a decline - it is a temporary check.
  • You are still paid while your grant is under review, just on the fourth day.
4

What Does 'Under Review' Mean?

'Under review' means SASSA is re-checking your eligibility. It can be triggered by a routine data verification, a means-test re-assessment, a change in your personal details, or an identity check. Your status on the portal may show 'Referred' or 'Under Review'. It does not mean your grant has been cancelled. See our guide on the grant review and verification process (/guides/grant-verification-process) for what happens during the check.

Pro Tip

  • Read your status message carefully - it tells you whether anything is needed from you.
  • Do not reapply while your grant is under review - it can cause confusion.
5

How Will You Know SASSA Needs Something From You?

SASSA notifies beneficiaries selected for review via SMS before the payment cycle begins. The SMS explains that your grant has been flagged for review and that you will be paid on the fourth payment day. Check your phone messages carefully - the SMS may come from an official SASSA number. If you missed the SMS because your contact details are outdated, you will only discover you are under review when your payment does not arrive on the normal day. If you did not receive an SMS, check your status on the official portal - it is the source of truth.

Pro Tip

  • Keep your cellphone number and address updated with SASSA at all times.
  • If you changed your number recently, visit SASSA to update it immediately.
6

What Documents May Be Requested?

When visiting a SASSA office for your review, bring: your original 13-digit South African ID document (smart card or green ID book), proof of your current residence (utility bill or affidavit), proof of income if applicable (payslip or bank statements for the last 3 months), and any grant-specific documents (medical reports for disability grant, birth certificates for child support grant). Having all documents ready will ensure the review is completed in one visit.

Pro Tip

  • Make copies of all documents before going to the office.
  • Bring a pen - you may need to fill out forms at the office.
7

What Happens After a Review?

After the review is complete, SASSA updates your record. If you still qualify, your grant returns to the normal three-day payment cycle from the following month. If the review finds a problem - such as a data mismatch or income above the threshold - your grant may be declined for that month, and you can appeal. Some beneficiaries can complete the review online through the SASSA eLife Certification portal using facial recognition. The eLife portal has known technical issues - if it fails after several attempts, visit an office. See our eLife certification troubleshooting guide (/guides/elife-certification-troubleshooting) for help.

Pro Tip

  • Complete the review within the same month - do not delay until the next payment cycle.
  • If you are bedridden or frail, contact SASSA about a home visit option.
8

Historical Example: August 2026 (Already Passed)

This is historical information for context only. In August 2026, SASSA announced that beneficiaries whose grants were under review would be paid on Friday, 7 August 2026 - the fourth payment day for that month, after Older Persons (4 August), Disability (5 August) and Children's Grants (6 August). That date has passed. For the current month, check the SASSA payment calendar (/payment-calendar) for the confirmed dates and the latest announcement in our September 2026 payment update (/updates/update-2026-036).

Pro Tip

  • Do not assume September has a confirmed fourth payment date - SASSA has not announced it yet.
  • Your status is the only reliable source for your personal pay day.
9

What If You Were Approved but Did Not Receive Payment?

If your status shows 'Approved' but you have not received payment, do not panic. Wait 2 to 3 business days after your Pay Day date for the banking system to reflect the deposit, then check: your banking details are correct and the account is active, you have received the payment SMS if collecting at retail, and your status has not changed to 'Referred' or 'Under Review'. If the money still has not arrived, follow our missing grant payment guide (/guides/missing-grant-payment-guide) step by step before calling the SASSA helpline on 0800 60 10 11.

Pro Tip

  • Capitec and FNB usually reflect payments within hours - other banks can take 1 to 3 days.
  • Your online status is the source of truth - SMS can be delayed.
10

What If You Did Not Receive an SMS?

SASSA SMS messages can be delayed or not sent at all. If you believe your grant may be under review but received no SMS, check your status on the official SRD portal with your 13-digit ID number. If your status shows 'Referred', 'Under Review', or a 'Pay Day' date that has passed without payment, contact the SASSA helpline on 0800 60 10 11. If you changed your phone number and never updated SASSA, follow our lost phone number guide (/guides/lost-phone-number) to fix it.

Pro Tip

  • Check your spam or archived messages too - notifications can land there.
  • Never share an SMS verification code with anyone.
11

What Should You Do in the Next Payment Cycle?

Once your review is complete and your grant is back on the normal cycle, keep your details up to date: keep your registered phone number active, do not let anyone else deposit into your bank account, complete any biometric or life certification checks promptly, and check your status after the 15th of each month. If your status is 'Approved', look for a 'Pay Day' date; if it is 'Declined', appeal within 90 days. This keeps your grant on track month after month.

Pro Tip

  • Check your status at the same time each month so you notice changes early.
  • Keep your banking details current with SASSA to avoid payment delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive my grant on a different day than other beneficiaries?

You were likely selected for a grant review. SASSA pays beneficiaries under review on a separate fourth payment day, which is always the day after Children's Grants are paid. Check your status on the official portal for your review status and 'Pay Day' date.

What does it mean if my grant is under review?

It means SASSA is re-checking that you still qualify for the grant. It is not a decline and does not cancel your grant. You are paid on the fourth payment day while the review is processed, and you must complete the review to return to the normal three-day cycle.

What happens if I don't complete my grant review?

If you do not complete the review, your grant will be suspended in the next payment cycle. You will not receive payments until the review is done. Continued failure to respond may cause your grant to lapse, requiring a new application. Complete the review as soon as possible after receiving your fourth-day payment.

Can I complete the review online instead of visiting an office?

Some beneficiaries can use the eLife Certification portal to complete the review online via facial recognition. However, the portal has known technical issues. If the online method fails after several attempts, you must visit a SASSA office in person. Green ID book holders should plan to visit an office directly.

Is there a confirmed fourth payment day for September 2026?

No. SASSA has not yet officially confirmed a fourth payment date for September 2026. Do not rely on third-party dates. Check the official SRD portal for your 'Pay Day' date and read our September 2026 payment update (/updates/update-2026-036) for the latest confirmed information.

What if I was approved but did not receive my payment?

Wait 2 to 3 business days after your Pay Day date, confirm your banking details are correct, and check whether your status is 'Referred' or 'Under Review'. If the money still has not arrived, follow our missing grant payment guide (/guides/missing-grant-payment-guide) and call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 if needed.

Sources & References

This guide was researched and verified against the following official sources:

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