Permanent grants have already been paid
As of 20 October 2026, the Older Persons, Disability and Children's grants for October have all been released. If your money has not reflected, allow up to three business days and then check your status on the SRD portal or call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
October 2026 opened with a Friday payment day, so pensioners were paid on 2 October — three days earlier than the provisional schedule first published on this site. Disability grants followed on Monday 5 October and Children's grants on Tuesday 6 October. There are no public holidays in the first week of October, so the schedule ran cleanly. The review and verification day is Wednesday 7 October, and SRD R370 is the only payment left this month.
October 2026 payment schedule
| Grant type | Payment date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant (Pension) | 2 October 2026 | Friday | Paid |
| Disability Grant | 5 October 2026 | Monday | Paid |
| Children's Grants (CSG, Foster Care, CDG) | 6 October 2026 | Tuesday | Paid |
| Review and verification cases | 7 October 2026 | Wednesday | Paid — notified beneficiaries |
| Social Relief of Distress (SRD R370) | 24-31 October 2026 | Month-end batches | Expected — check your SRD status |
SRD R370: what to expect at month-end
SRD is not paid on a single day. SASSA releases it in batches, normally between the 24th and the end of the month. Your exact date depends on when your application was approved and which batch you are placed in. Being approved does not guarantee a payment on the first day of the window.
- Check your SRD status after the 20th. A status of 'Approved' means payment is authorised; 'Pending' means your application is still being processed.
- Payment dates are shown per beneficiary in the SRD portal, not in a single public table.
- If your status changes to 'Declined', you can appeal within 90 days through the SRD portal.
- Do not pay anyone who claims they can move you into an earlier batch. Batch allocation is automated.
What else happens in October
- The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement is usually delivered in late October or early November. It can signal grant adjustments for the next fiscal year, but it does not change October payments.
- Grant reviews and eLife certification checks continue. Respond to any SMS or letter from SASSA before the stated deadline.
- November dates were revised on 15 October because of the 4 November election public holiday. Check the November page before you travel to a pay point.
Do not trust 'early SRD payout' messages
SASSA does not sell early payment slots and never asks for a fee to release a grant. Messages promising an earlier SRD batch in exchange for payment or your PIN are scams.
Frequently asked questions
What were the SASSA payment dates for October 2026?
Older Persons: Friday 2 October 2026. Disability: Monday 5 October 2026. Children's grants: Tuesday 6 October 2026. Review and verification cases: Wednesday 7 October 2026. SRD R370: batches from 24 to 31 October 2026.
Why was the Older Persons grant paid on 2 October?
SASSA starts permanent-grant payments on the second calendar day of the month when it falls on a business day. 2 October 2026 was a Friday, so pensioners were paid then, with Disability following on Monday 5 October and Children's on Tuesday 6 October.
My October money has not reflected. What should I do?
Allow up to three business days after the official date for bank transfers. If it is still missing, check your grant status on srd.sassa.gov.za, call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11, or visit your nearest office with your ID and proof of payment method.
When will SRD R370 be paid in October 2026?
SRD batches are expected from 24 to 31 October 2026. SASSA does not publish one date for everyone — your payment date appears in the SRD portal against your application status. Check after the 20th.
Does the October review day apply to everyone?
No. The 7 October review and verification day only applies to beneficiaries who received an SMS or letter from SASSA. If you were not notified, collect on your normal grant date.
Sources used on this page
Verified on 20 October 2026. Payment dates can shift because of operational issues; SASSA communicates changes by SMS and on its website.
November 2026 payment dates
Confirmed and revised: 30 October, 2, 3 and 5 November
December 2026 payment dates
Festive-season schedule and early SRD expectations
All SASSA payment dates
Current month, next month and the full 2026 archive
Need Official Assistance?
This is an independent informational resource. For official services — checking your grant status, updating your details, or submitting an appeal — please use the official SASSA portals directly: