SASSA confirms June 2025 grant dates, smashes double‑payment rumours

When SASSA (the South African Social Security Agency) released its June 2025 payment timetable, more than 19 million South Africans finally got a clear answer – and a lot of panic‑inducing rumours were flushed out. Here's the thing: older persons will see money in their accounts on June 3, 2025, disability beneficiaries on June 4, and children's grants – plus all other grant categories – on June 5. Payments start rolling out from the 3rd, meaning the first cash hits the system early in the month.¹

Official June 2025 payment schedule

During the June 2025 SASSA grant payment schedule, the agency laid out three rollout days:

• June 3 – Older persons’ grants
• June 4 – Disability grants
• June 5 – Children’s grants and all remaining categories

Beneficiaries can choose to have the money transferred directly into a personal bank account, loaded onto their SASSA card, or collected at any authorised pay point. SASSA reminded everyone that withdrawing the whole amount at once is not required – a safety tip that could spare queues at the retail outlets.

Why rumours spread and how SASSA responded

The social media chatter in the weeks leading up to the announcement was wild. Posts claimed that the government would double the payouts in June, prompting a wave of anxiety that even some seniors admitted to feeling. In a statement, Paseka Letsatsi, spokesperson for SASSA, said the reports were “completely false and should be rejected with the contempt they deserve.” "There is no double‑payment in June. Those rumours are fabrications that only cause panic among our vulnerable citizens," Letsatsi told the press on May 30, 2025. The agency also warned that the fake news was being amplified by unofficial WhatsApp groups and that the only reliable source of information is SASSA’s official channels – the website, the national toll‑free line 0800 60 10 11, and the Northern Cape switchboard at 053 802 4900.

Grant increases – what’s real and what’s not

Beyond the payment dates, many were also asking whether the recent grant hikes would apply to June. Letsatsi clarified that the only official increases were those published in the Ministry of Finance’s Policy Statement in March 2025, which took effect in April. The next round of adjustments is slated for October 2025. "Any claim of an extra increase outside the March announcement is a lie," said Letsatsi, citing the Ministry of Finance as the authority behind the figures. For context, the March Policy Statement lifted the old‑age pension by 4.1 % and the child support grant by 2.3 %, changes that started paying out on 1 April 2025. The upcoming October revision is expected to follow a similar modest percentage rise, though exact figures will be released closer to the date.

SASSA card status – gold stays, black on hold

Another hot topic was the SASSA card colour change. Rumours suggested that beneficiaries needed to replace their gold cards with new black ones immediately. SASSA debunked that too: gold cards will continue to function until the agency announces otherwise. "The issuance of black cards has been temporarily placed on hold, and replacement sites are currently not operational," the spokesperson confirmed. This means no extra trips to the card centres – a relief for many who already travel long distances to collect cash.

How to avoid scams and where to get help

With misinformation flooding phones and feeds, SASSA urged beneficiaries to:

1. Only trust information that comes from the official SASSA website or the national toll‑free helpline.
2. Never share personal banking details with anyone who contacts them out of the blue.
3. Report suspicious messages to the agency via 0800 60 10 11.

For residents in the Northern Cape, the regional switchboard (053 802 4900) offers the same assistance. The agency also runs regular community outreach sessions, especially in rural municipalities, to educate grant recipients about legitimate channels.

What this means for South Africans

In practical terms, the clarified schedule lets families plan their household budgets more accurately. Retailers can also anticipate a surge in cash flow on the three payment days, potentially smoothing out the usual end‑of‑month rush.
The strong stance against fake news sends a clear message: misinformation will be met with firm rebuttal, and the agency will continue to protect vulnerable groups from panic‑driven decisions.