The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is aiming to save the state an estimated R1.5 billion this financial year by intensifying social grant reviews, while simultaneously rolling out measures to reduce long queues and improve services for millions of beneficiaries.
Speaking during a media briefing, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe acknowledged growing public frustration over lengthy waiting times at SASSA offices, saying restoring dignity to grant beneficiaries would be one of her immediate priorities.
“I have received complaints regarding our people standing in long queues in most of our offices and had to step in urgently to understand the cause and seek immediate intervention to bring back dignity and respect,” she said.
The announcement comes as SASSA marks its 20th anniversary, having grown from administering grants to just over 10 million beneficiaries in 2006 to paying nearly 19 million social grants every month.
Tolashe said while social grants remain a critical lifeline for millions of vulnerable South Africans, government has a responsibility to ensure the system remains sustainable and that only qualifying beneficiaries continue receiving assistance.
“Social grants are not merely payments; they are a lifeline for many households. But we must also ensure that every eligible person receives the support they are entitled to while protecting public resources and maintaining the credibility of the system,” she said.
A key part of that effort is SASSA’s ongoing grant review programme, which verifies whether beneficiaries still qualify under the Social Assistance Act.
According to the minister, improved data verification systems identified more than 420,000 beneficiaries for review during the 2025/26 financial year. Of those, more than 240,000 reviews were completed, while about 160,000 beneficiaries failed to present themselves for review.
For the current financial year, SASSA plans to review more than 350,000 grants, with projected savings of R1.5 billion that could be redirected to other government priorities.
“Simply put, social grant reviews help ensure that the right grant is paid to the right person, at the right time,” Tolashe said.
She stressed that the reviews are not intended to punish beneficiaries but are required by law to confirm continued eligibility and detect changes in financial, marital or medical circumstances.
The minister also highlighted government’s efforts to clamp down on fraud through biometric verification technology, which is linked to the Department of Home Affairs to authenticate beneficiaries in real time.
“Our biometric verification programme has significantly strengthened identity authentication for new applications and grant reviews. It has helped prevent identity theft, duplicate claims and other forms of fraud that undermine public confidence in the system,” she said.
To ease pressure at service centres, SASSA is recruiting more than 1,000 contract workers nationwide to assist with applications, grant reviews and beneficiary enquiries. The agency also plans to extend office operating hours in busy areas.
Government is further expanding digital services, including online applications, WhatsApp and mobile platforms, while encouraging beneficiaries to use electronic life certification to verify their eligibility without visiting 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,” Tolashe said.
She added that home visits would continue for beneficiaries aged over 75 and those who are frail to reduce unnecessary travel.
The minister said she would visit SASSA offices across the country in the coming weeks to monitor the implementation of the new measures and engage directly with communities.
“These interventions will assist in restoring dignity and respect to the people who consider social assistance as their lifeline. Achieving this remains non-negotiable,” she said.
Saturday Star