After months of maintaining the status-quo, SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025 are in for a major shakeup. Central to this is the agency’s rollout of mandatory biometric enrollment at all its offices. But what does this mean practically for recipients of SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025? Well, over 75s still get R2 330 this week, and beneficiaries aged between 60-74 receive R2 310.
However, from today (Monday 1 September 2025), any new grant applicant or existing beneficiary placed under review will undergo biometric enrolment. This can only take place at agency offices, and SASSA says the goal is put an end to fraudulent payments.
SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS IN SEPTEMBER 2025
As we know, the South African Social Security Agency is on a mission to stamp out social-welfare fraud off all types. Back in June 2025, it announced an extensive review process for those who may have questionable additional income. Those under review receive an SMS from the agency and have to verify their details in-person at a SASSA office. SASSA even initiated a fourth payment date each month so those under review who proved their innocence were not unduly inconvenienced.
Now, the latest development is mandatory biometric enrolment for SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025. SASSA CEO Temba Matlou explains that: “Biometrics is all in the name of improving systems to detect and root out any fraudulent social grants. We want to make SASSA resilient against manipulation and error. Especially in cases involving forged green identity documents,” says Matlou.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR BIOMETRIC VERIFICATION
Therefore, if you are a new applicant of SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025, or placed under review, here’s what you’ll need. According to the agency, all grant applications captured and approved from today (1 September 2025) must include:
- Biometric fingerprints.
- Digital facial-recognition photo.
Both are the cornerstones to SASSA’s Electronic Know Your Client (eKYC) scheme. But don’t worry because you won’t need anything else besides presenting yourself in-person at a SASSA office.
WHAT ABOUT QUEUES AND SYSTEM OVERLOAD?
One potential issue for SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025 is system overload and server breakdown. As The South African has reported before, most SASSA offices can only handle an average of 500 clients per day. However, with SASSA reviews increasing since June 2025, the queues at most offices are becoming unbearable, with people queuing all day and still not being assisted.
Now you’ve got the added burden of every single grant applicant needing to go through complicated biometric capturing. As such, Matlou called for an ‘all-hands-on-deck approach for agency staff’ to meet the increasing demand. “The agency has the necessary infrastructure and tools in all its offices. Front-line staff have been trained to ensure efficient implementation of the biometric enrolment,” insists the SASSA CEO.
CAN SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS IN SEPTEMBER 2025 BE WITHHELD?
A reminder that while the focus is on biometric enrolment, newly increased asset and means test limits for SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025 are still in effect. Therefore, if the agency has reason to believe you’ve been exceeding these, you will be notified by SMS for a review. If so, you must bring the following for your grant review within a three-month time frame:
- A recent/valid three-month bank statement.
- Valid work payslip.
- Copy of your ID (plus your child’s ID if applicable).
- Proof of residence (no older than three months).
PAY BACK THE MONEY
If you’re found to be over either prescribed limit, you will have to pay back your ill-gotten SASSA grants. The agency has various payment systems in place. One is a lump sum payment in full. And the others are ‘budget’ repayments over a number of months or a debit order system. However, these will accrue interest and end up costing you more in the long run.
Plus, anyone undergoing this process without biometric data will be put into a separate review cycle. And you will be notified about the need to capture biometrics in-person when required. Nevertheless, let’s reconfirm who can apply for SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025. And when the payment dates are …
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS IN SEPTEMBER 2025?
Take note of the remaining pay dates for SASSA Elderly Person Grants this year:
- SEPTEMBER – Tuesday 2 September 2025 (this week)
- OCTOBER – Thursday 2 October 2025 (potential increase unconfirmed)
- NOVEMBER – Tuesday 4 November 2025
- DECEMBER – Tuesday 2 December 2025
Over and above biometric compliance, new applicants will need to supply the following documents:
- Only over 60s qualify.
- Bring an official RSA identity document (ID).
- Provide all documents proving your marital status.
- Supply a proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it).
- Show all proof of income and/or financial dividends.
- Bring any information regarding assets, valuation of property.
- You must declare any private pension in your name.
- Provide a valid three months’ statement certified by your bank (no older than three months).
If you are denied SASSA Old-Age Grants in September 2025 there is a 90-day appeal process with the Department of Social Development (DSD). Click HERE for all the necessary documents.
HOW CAN WE HELP WITH YOUR SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS IN SEPTEMBER 2025?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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