SASSA confirms September 2026 SRD payment dates

SASSA has confirmed the payment dates for the COVID-19 SRD grant for September 2026, providing a vital source of income for millions of vulnerable individuals and households.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the payment dates for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for September 2026, with beneficiaries set to receive payments on September 23 and 25.

According to SASSA, the September payment cycle will take place over the two days.

“COVID-19 SRD payment dates for the month of September 2026 are 23 and 25 September 2026,” SASSA said.

SASSA said the COVID-19 SRD programme remains one of South Africa’s largest social assistance interventions, providing financial relief to millions of people.

According to the agency, the grant reached close to 10 million beneficiaries at its peak and currently supports approximately 8 million recipients across South Africa.

The agency described the programme as “one of the country’s largest social assistance programmes”.

SASSA said the grant “continues to provide a vital source of income for vulnerable individuals and households”.

The agency’s official SRD portal states that the grant is intended for eligible South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers and special permit holders between the ages of 18 and 60 who have insufficient means and meet other qualifying requirements.

Beneficiaries will continue to receive support beyond the current payment cycle after the COVID-19 SRD programme was extended until March 31, 2027.

SASSA said the extension was made “to ensure continued support for those in need”.

The extension means the programme, initially introduced as emergency financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue to provide assistance to millions of qualifying recipients.

Beneficiaries can check the status of their applications and payment information through SASSA’s official SRD platform.