A SASSA grant review is a check that you still qualify for your grant. If SASSA sends you an SMS about a review, you have up to 90 days to respond: 30 days to bring your information and another 60 days before the grant can be suspended. People flagged for a review are often paid on the separate “fourth payment day”. Separately, grant holders should do a life certification once a year, which can now be done online through SASSA’s e-Life Certification. If your grant is suspended, it is restored once you comply and are found eligible.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| What a review is | A check that you still qualify, under the Social Assistance Act |
| How you’re told | An SMS or letter from SASSA |
| Time to respond | Up to 90 days: 30 to submit, then 60 before suspension |
| Fourth payment day | The day after the usual three, for grants flagged for review or life certification |
| Life certification | Once a year, online through e-Life Certification or at a SASSA office |
| If suspended | Comply with the review. Payment can be restored from the date of suspension |
| Help | 0800 60 10 11 or your local SASSA office |
On this page: What a review is · Fourth payment day · How to do your review · 90-day timeline · e-Life Certification · If your grant is suspended · Avoid suspension · FAQ
What is a SASSA grant review?
A SASSA grant review checks whether you still meet the rules for your grant. SASSA does reviews under the Social Assistance Act and its regulations. In a September 2026 reply to Parliament, it listed the usual reasons (PMG, question NW4444):
- Your financial circumstances may have changed, for example a new income or a pension.
- A refugee’s identity document has expired.
- A foster child grant court order has expired.
- A care dependency child’s disability may no longer be permanent.
SASSA says reviews are “not intended to be punitive”. If you still qualify, the grant simply carries on (PMG, question NW4724).
The fourth payment day and what it means
Since July 2026, SASSA has paid some grants one day after the usual three payment days. This “fourth payment day” is for beneficiaries flagged for a grant review or life certification, and they get an SMS. SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi urged beneficiaries to “respond as soon as they receive communication from SASSA” (EWN, July 2026).
If you’re paid on the fourth day, your grant is still being paid, but it’s a warning sign. Go to your SASSA office to complete the review so the next month isn’t suspended. For November 2026 the fourth day is Thursday 5 November. Our SASSA payment dates page lists the fourth day for each month as SASSA announces it.
How to complete your SASSA grant review
- Read the SMS or letter carefully. It tells you that you’ve been selected and, often, which office to visit.
- Go to your local SASSA office with your original ID. Go early in the day.
- Bring proof of your current situation. SASSA may ask for bank statements for the last three months, proof of income or an affidavit if you have none, and proof of address.
- Bring the extra documents that apply to you: a new court order for a foster child, a medical report for a care dependency or disability grant, or a valid refugee ID.
- Make sure SASSA has your current cellphone number and address before you leave.
- Ask for proof that you attended, such as a stamped form or a reference number.
Not sure what to bring? Call 0800 60 10 11 first and ask exactly which documents your review needs. All other numbers are on our SASSA contact details page.
The 90-day review timeline
| Stage | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Review notice | Day 0 | You get an SMS or letter saying you’ve been selected |
| Submit information | Up to 30 days | You visit SASSA and hand in what’s asked |
| Extra time | Another 60 days | Your grant keeps paying while you respond |
| Suspension | After 90 days without a response | Payments stop, but you get another chance to comply |
| Lapse | After repeated non-compliance | The grant ends and you would need to apply again |
This timeline comes from SASSA’s replies to Parliament: beneficiaries have “up to 90 days to comply with the review notice”, a grant stays in payment while you have time to respond, and it lapses only after repeated non-compliance (NW4444, NW4724).
e-Life Certification: proving you’re alive each year
Life certification is a separate check that the grant holder is still alive and still eligible. SASSA asks beneficiaries to do it once a year, and people it flags for immediate certification must do it within the deadline they’re given (SAnews, April 2026).
- Online: go to the SASSA Services Portal at services.sassa.gov.za and choose e-Life Certification. Your identity is confirmed with a live face check (eKYC).
- In person: go to a SASSA office with your ID if you can’t do it online.
- Why it matters: SASSA says not certifying “may be interpreted as an indication that a beneficiary is deceased or no longer legitimate”, which can delay or suspend payments.
Face checks fail more often with old green ID book photos. If the online check doesn’t work, see our identity verification guide or go to an office.
If your grant is suspended after a SASSA grant review
A suspended grant isn’t gone. SASSA restores it once you comply with the review and are found eligible, and if you show you were eligible during the suspension, payment can be restored from the date it was suspended.
- Go to your SASSA office with your ID and the documents the review asked for.
- Ask the official to confirm the review is complete and to note your reinstatement request.
- Keep the reference number and check your account on the next payment date.
Suspensions are common. In February 2026 SASSA said about 70,000 grants were suspended after people didn’t complete reviews, out of 400,000 beneficiaries notified (EWN, February 2026). Between April and June 2026, SASSA suspended 56,807 grants for non-compliance and reinstated 5,231 after people came forward.
How to avoid a suspension
- Keep your cellphone number and address up to date with SASSA, so the review SMS reaches you.
- Respond as soon as you get a review SMS. Don’t wait for the last week.
- Check your payment date each month. Being paid on the fourth day is your early warning.
- Do your e-Life Certification every year, even if nobody asks.
- Tell SASSA about changes in your income, marriage or living situation.
Never pay anyone who says they can “unblock” or “fast-track” your review. Reviews are free and only SASSA can complete them. For how much each grant pays once it’s restored, see our SASSA grant amounts guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a SASSA grant review?
A check that you still qualify for your grant, for example after a change in income or when a foster care court order expires. If you still qualify, the grant continues.
How long do I have to respond to a SASSA review?
Up to 90 days: 30 days to submit your information and another 60 days before the grant can be suspended.
What is the SASSA fourth payment day?
A payment day after the usual three, for beneficiaries flagged for a grant review or life certification. It is a sign that you need to visit SASSA.
How do I do e-Life Certification?
Go to the SASSA Services Portal, choose e-Life Certification and complete the face check. You can also do it at a SASSA office.
How often do I need life certification?
Once a year. If SASSA flags you for immediate certification, do it within the deadline in the message.
How do I get my suspended SASSA grant back?
Complete the review at a SASSA office. Once you are found eligible the grant is restored, and payment can be backdated to the suspension date.
What happens if I ignore a SASSA review?
Your grant can be suspended, and after repeated non-compliance it can lapse, which means you would need to apply again.
About this guide
Written and checked by N Chris, for SASSA Status Check Help. This guide was checked against SASSA replies to Parliament (September 2026), SAnews and reporting by EWN and The Mercury. We are not SASSA. Read how we verify information.