SASSA Delayed Grant for 210,000 Beneficiaries in 2025 – How To Claim
In June 2025, about 210,000 SASSA beneficiaries were flagged for income irregularities. Learn what it really means, why it happened, and how to fix your grant step by step.
A Sudden Shock
Imagine waking up on payday, opening the SASSA app, and finding your grant missing. No payment date, no funds in your account — only a message that your grant has been “flagged for review.” This was the experience of more than 210,000 South Africans in mid-2025.
See Also: SASSA Status Check
The news caused panic. For people depending on their grants to survive, even a single missed payment can mean empty fridges and unpaid rent. The fear of permanent suspension spread quickly across communities. But the truth is less dramatic: most of these grants were not cancelled. They were temporarily put on hold while SASSA carried out income checks.
Why Grants Were Flagged
In June, SASSA launched a broad review to verify that all beneficiaries still met the income requirements. Using credit bureau data and bank record checks, the agency flagged over 210,000 beneficiaries whose accounts showed unexplained deposits. Some of these were genuine earnings, but many were harmless transactions like family support or once-off transfers mislabeled as salaries.
SASSA stressed that this was not a “mass suspension.” Grants were not wiped out. Instead, payments for those flagged were paused until the agency could confirm whether the applicants still qualified. In other words, the status of “under review” meant the system was asking for proof, not delivering a final rejection.
Install: SASSA App
How to Tell If You Are Affected
The most obvious sign was a sudden change in the portal. Many people who were approved in May logged in during June only to find their status flipped to Under Review or Pending. Others noticed their usual payment date had disappeared. In some cases, SASSA even sent SMS or email messages asking for income clarification.
If any of these happened to you, it means your grant was one of those caught up in the June 2025 review.
What You Need to Clear the Flag
SASSA’s system doesn’t accept explanations by word of mouth. To restore your grant, you need documents that tell your story. The most important are bank statements covering the months under review, which show exactly where money came from and whether it looks like regular income.
If you truly have no income, a no-income affidavit sworn before a commissioner of oaths can strengthen your case. For those who had casual or short-term jobs, an employer’s letter explaining the work period, payment amount, and end date can make the difference. Even if the problem was as simple as mismatched contact details, you’ll need to make sure your SASSA profile reflects the correct phone number and banking information.
The Path to Reinstatement
The first step is to log in to the portal and carefully check your status for each month. Reviews are processed month by month, so June may be on hold even if May shows as paid. Once you know which months are flagged, gather your supporting documents into a neat file. Think of it as your evidence pack.
Next, call the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11. Give the agent your ID number, explain that you were flagged in the June review, and ask them to log a case on your file. Insist on a reference number. This is your tracking code and your shield in case of future disputes.
Once you have logged the case, submit your evidence. Some applicants are able to upload documents directly on the portal, but if the system does not allow it, you can submit them through an appeal process with the Independent Tribunal. If weeks pass without change, the most effective step is often an in-person visit to a SASSA office. Taking your evidence pack directly to an official allows them to request a manual correction.
Check Out (For SASSA Beneficeries): SASSA Payment Dates
How Long Will It Take?
The review process is not instant. For most people, it takes between two and eight weeks to resolve. That waiting period depends on how many people are in the queue and whether your documents are clear. The good news is that once the issue is fixed, SASSA generally pays arrears for all the months you were unfairly held back.
Protecting Yourself for the Future
The 2025 review showed just how important it is for beneficiaries to manage their records carefully. Reconfirm your details every month. Use only one cellphone number and one bank account linked directly to your ID. If you receive money from family or friends, be ready to explain it clearly in writing as a once-off gift rather than a regular income stream. And whenever you call SASSA, write down your reference number and keep it safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did SASSA suspend 210,000 grants?
No. SASSA temporarily held payments while checking for income irregularities. Valid grants are not permanently cancelled.
Will I get back pay once my case is cleared?
Yes. If you were eligible during the months under review, arrears will usually be paid out once your status is corrected.
How can I prove that deposits in my account aren’t income?
Provide full bank statements and a sworn affidavit. If money came from family, explain it as support rather than wages.
What if I really did earn money recently?
In that case, you may lose eligibility for certain months. But if the job has ended, you can provide proof of termination and still qualify again.
Final Word
The suspension scare of June 2025 shook the confidence of many grant recipients, but the reality is more practical than dramatic. If you were one of the 210,000 flagged, your grant is not gone forever. It is paused until you clear the review.
Act quickly, gather your documents, log a case, and follow up with persistence. With the right proof, you can unlock your grant again and receive the back pay you’re owed. Most importantly, remember that an “under review” status is not a denial — it’s an invitation to prove your eligibility.
