The Department of Social Development will review more than 350,000 social grants during the 2026/27 financial year as part of efforts to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive grant payments.
Social Development Minister Dina Pule said the reviews are expected to save government approximately R1.5 billion, while strengthening the integrity of South Africa's social assistance system.
SASSA Grant Reviews To Confirm Beneficiary Eligibility
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday, Pule explained that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is legally required to conduct regular social grant reviews in terms of the Social Assistance Act.
The reviews are intended to confirm that beneficiaries still qualify for their grants and that any changes to their financial or marital circumstances have been reported.
“Simply put, social grant reviews help ensure that the right grant is paid to the right person, at the right time,” the minister said.
She added that the process is also an important measure to prevent fraud, abuse and incorrect grant payments.
Government Aims To Save R1.5 Billion
According to Pule, SASSA's systems have become increasingly sophisticated through data verification and integration with other government departments and financial institutions.
As a result, more than 420,000 beneficiaries were flagged for grant reviews during the 2025/26 financial year.
Of these:
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More than 240,000 grant reviews were completed.
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Around 160,000 beneficiaries failed to complete the review process.
For the current financial year, government plans to review more than 350,000 social grants, with projected savings of R1.5 billion.
“We must indicate that our grant system has matured over time and integrated with other financial institutions and departments to a point where, through data verification and a validation process, the agency flagged over 420 000 in 2025/26 up for reviews, over 240 000 completed reviews and about 160 000 failed to review.
“For 2026/27, we are targeting to review over 350 000 projecting to save about R1,5b for the government fiscus which can be redirected to fund other government priorities,” she said.
Minister Addresses Long Queues At SASSA Offices
Pule acknowledged public frustration over long queues at SASSA offices and said improving customer service is one of her immediate priorities.
“I must say in the few days in office, I received complaints regarding our people standing in long queues in most of our offices and had to step in urgently to understand the course and seek immediate intervention to bring back dignity and respect,” the Minister said.
She reaffirmed that social grants remain a vital source of support for millions of vulnerable South Africans.
“Social grants are not merely payments, they are a lifeline to remove poverty from many households, the vulnerable, the child who depends on a grant, grandmother who holds a household together, the young person searching for dignity and work,” Pule said.
The Minister noted that South Africa's social assistance programme has grown from 2.7 million beneficiaries in 1994 to around 19 million social grant beneficiaries today.
SASSA Strengthens Fraud Prevention
To improve the administration of social grants, Pule said SASSA has expanded its biometric verification programme, which connects in real time with the Department of Home Affairs.
The technology helps verify applicants' identities and reduces fraud by preventing identity theft and duplicate grant claims.
“Our biometric verification programme has significantly strengthened identity authentication for new applications and grant reviews especially since it also interfaces with systems of the Department of Home Affairs on real-time basis. This technology helped prevent identity theft, duplicate claims and other forms of fraud that undermine public confidence in the system,” the Minister said.
More Digital Services And Additional Staff
Government is also increasing the use of e-Life Certification, allowing beneficiaries to confirm their continued eligibility through secure digital platforms.
According to Pule, this will particularly benefit older persons, people with disabilities and beneficiaries living in remote areas who may struggle to travel to SASSA offices.
“This intervention is particularly important for older persons, persons with disabilities and beneficiaries living in remote areas who may struggle to travel to a SASSA office. We call upon clients to make use of digital platforms to avoid long queues at different offices,” she said.
The Minister announced several additional measures to improve service delivery, including:
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Expanding SASSA's online services.
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Enhancing WhatsApp and mobile application support.
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Recruiting more than 1,000 contract workers nationwide.
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Extending operating hours at SASSA offices.
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Continuing home visits for beneficiaries aged 75 years and older and those who are frail.
Government Commits To Improving SASSA Services
Pule said government remains committed to protecting social grants while improving the way services are delivered.
“As the Minister of Social Development, I want to assure every eligible beneficiary that government remains committed to safeguarding social grants and continuously improving the systems through which they are delivered,” she said.
The Minister also confirmed that she will visit SASSA offices across the country to monitor the implementation of these interventions and engage directly with communities on improving service delivery.
