What Happens If Your Grant Payment Falls on a May Public Holiday?

Social grants administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) serve as a financial lifeline to millions of South Africans. These include the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, and the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. SASSA publishes grant payment schedules well in advance, usually avoiding weekends and public holidays. However, when a public holiday in May—such as Workers’ Day (1 May) or Africa Day (25 May)—coincides with a scheduled grant payment date, many beneficiaries are left wondering whether their payments will be delayed or affected.

This article explains what happens when your SASSA grant payment falls on a May public holiday, how the system handles such case, and what to do if you are affected. 

SASSA Grant Payment Schedule

SASSA typically pays out grants in the following order:

• Older Persons Grant: First working day of the month
• Disability Grant: Second working day of the month
• Child Support & Other Grants: Third working day of the month
• SRD R350 Grant: Paid throughout the month in batches

The grant payment schedule is designed to avoid weekends and public holidays, but when a public holiday lands on a working weekday, it can cause adjustments in the payment process.

What Happens if my grant payment falls on a Public Holiday?

If the scheduled payment date is on a public holiday, the agency takes the following steps:

1. Automatic rescheduling of payments

If your grant payment was scheduled for a public holiday, SASSA will automatically move it to the next working day. For example, if the Older Persons Grant was set for 1 May (Workers’ Day), it would be rescheduled to 2 May or the next business day.

SASSA usually announces such changes in advance via its official website at www.sassa.gov.za, social media pages (@OfficialSASSA on Twitter, @SASSANews on Facebook), and local radio stations and newspapers.

2. ATM and Retail Store Access

Even when a public holiday occurs, ATMs and retailers may remain accessible. If your money has already been deposited before the holiday, you can still withdraw it using your SASSA gold card or bank card—even on the holiday itself.

However, if the system delays reflect the payment as pending or unprocessed, you’ll need to wait until SASSA clears it on the next business day.

3. SRD R350 Grant Exception

SRD R350 grants are not tied to fixed dates and are processed in batches throughout the month. This means that public holidays usually do not affect SRD grant deposits directly—you may receive the money before or after the holiday, depending on when your verification is completed.

4. Potential Delays with Postbank and SAPO

When grants are collected through the Post Office (SAPO) or Postbank, public holidays can disrupt manual cash collections. Branches are closed on holidays, which means you will need to collect your grant on the next open day.

SASSA has been actively phasing out in-person Post Office collections, urging beneficiaries to switch to bank accounts for faster, uninterrupted payments.

What to Do If Your Grant Is Affected by a Holiday

Check the official payment schedule

SASSA releases a monthly grant payment calendar. Always verify dates using https://www.sassa.gov.za and social media updates. 

Use ATM or Retail Withdrawals

If the money is already deposited, use ATMs, and retail partners (Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Usave). These outlets often remain open even on public holidays.

Contact SASSA if payment Is missing

If your grant does not reflect in your account or card after the rescheduled date, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 or use the SASSA WhatsApp number: 082 046 8553. You can also visit your nearest SASSA office.

FAQs 

Are Post Office grant collections available on public holidays?

No, grant collections are not available on public holidays. SAPO branches are closed on public holidays, so physical collections must wait until the next open day.

Can I still withdraw my money on a public holiday if it’s already paid into my account?

Yes. You can withdraw your grant from ATMs or retail stores using your SASSA gold card, even on public holidays, as long as the funds have already been deposited.

Conclusion 

Public holidays like Workers’ Day (1 May) or Africa Day (25 May) may impact the standard SASSA grant payment schedule, especially for beneficiaries who receive grants via Postbank or in-person collection. Fortunately, SASSA proactively adjusts payment dates to the next available working day to ensure minimal disruption. By staying informed and switching to bank account payments where possible, beneficiaries can better manage grant access and avoid unnecessary delays.