An update in the payments of its grants will be affected by SASSA in August 2025. For the older persons grant, which currently provides for R2,315, Child Support Grants for R560, and Foster Child Grant of R1,250: biometric verifying must be done for the payment to continue. This is to provide security to reduce fraud by making sure that these grants really go to deserving recipients. Now, let us look at what the changes will hold for our beneficiaries.
Why Biometric Verification?
SASSA chose biometric verification to further strengthen the integrity of its grant system. In the face of the increasing incidents of identity thefts being perpetrated, the Agency opted that a more advanced method be instituted to include both fingerprint scanning and facial recognition of its beneficiaries for verification. This sits within the larger act of SASSA in updating payment systems, in ghosting beneficiaries, and in making actual payments. Biometrics, when injected into the system, had the accepted purpose of protecting the vulnerable and easing administration.
Details of Affected Grants Payable and Payment
The going biometric shall be made compulsory starting August 2025, for a selected number of social grants.
- Older Persons Grant: R 2,315 per month, meant for senior citizens.
- Child Support Grant: R 560 per month, to support caregivers for dependent children.
- Foster Child Grant: R 1,250 per month, to support foster parents. These grants are absolute life-wires for millions of South Africans, now requiring the beneficiary to identify him/herself at specific SASSA offices or pay points. For some, the biometric verification started in May 2025 and is now being forced upon everyone. The payment dates for the August 2025 grants range from the 5th to the 8th, with priority given to the older and disabled persons.
Steps to Be Taken to Ensure Biometric Verification is Successful
This is a simple process that has to be completed in time. The beneficiary must go to a SASSA office or any service point recognized by SASSA with his/her valid South African ID book or passport. The actual process of fingerprinting and image capturing of a beneficiary’s face is done through secure technology. Mobile units also function for disabled beneficiaries and perhaps in rural areas or assistances from relatives may apply, provided the correct paperwork is produced. Also, a beneficiary can further check the status of his/her verification on the SASSA portal at www.sassa.gov.za or dial USSD code 1347737#. Payment may be suspended should the process not be complied to by the 31st of August, 2025.
Impact on Beneficiaries
On the controversial side of security enhancement, the biometric system might end up posing difficulties for rural or elderly beneficiaries who find themselves at an awkward distance from SASSA offices. To this end, SASSA has launched an unprecedented deployment of mobile units, and extended office hours have been operational in Gauteng and Western Cape. The assurance has been provided that compliance with this regulation will guarantee uninterrupted payment and hence protect the recipients against fraud. It is an utmost necessity, therefore, for beneficiaries to update their information well ahead of the August 2025 payments run, so that no delays will be experienced.
Also Read : SASSA August 2025 Payout Delays: What You Need to Know