SASSA Pension Status Check – How to View Payments Online

If you receive a SASSA pension (older persons grant) in South Africa, you may want to check your status and payment details online. 

This article explains how to view your pension status, what each status means, and what steps to take if there are issues.

What is the SASSA pension (older persons grant)?

The SASSA pension, also called the Old Age Grant or Older Persons Grant, is a monthly social grant for citizens aged 60 or older who meet eligibility criteria.

It is managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which also handles status checks and benefit payments.

Knowing your payment status ensures you receive your pension on time and helps identify any problems early.

How do I check my SASSA pension status online?

Here is how to check your pension (older persons grant) status via official or trusted platforms:

1. Visit the SASSA Services Portal at services.sassa.gov.za.
2. Go to the section for grant or status checks (often under “Social Grants” or “Grant Information”).
3. Provide your 13-digit South African ID number and the mobile number used when applying for your pension.
4. Submit, and the result should show whether your pension grant is approved, pending, or declined, and often show your payday.

For example, for July 2025, the pay day for the old age grant was set to 2 July 2025.

Are there other methods to view payment status?

Yes, if you cannot use the website:

• Phone call: Use SASSA’s toll-free number 0800 60 10 11. Provide your ID and phone number, and the agent or automated system may tell you your pension status and payment date.
• Local SASSA office visit: Go to your nearest SASSA branch with your ID, and staff can check your status in person.

(Note: unlike SRD grants, the older persons grant is more established, and fewer newer channels like WhatsApp or USSD may be officially supported.)

What do status results mean (Approved, Pending, Declined)?

When you view your pension status, you may see one of the following:

1. Approved: Your grant application is accepted, and your monthly pension is active. You should also see the payout date or that the payment is scheduled.
2. Pending: SASSA is still verifying your documents, means test, identity data, or banking information. This means approval is not yet final.
3. Declined/Rejected: Your application did not meet specific criteria (e.g., income threshold, missing documents).
4. Delayed/Payment not scheduled: Sometimes, although your status is approved, the specific pay date is yet to be assigned. This can happen due to processing, verification, or technical reasons. (An example: older persons’ grant status may show “approved,” but delay in payment if banking or identity issues exist.)

When are pension payments made?

The older person’s grant is paid early in the month. For example:

• For July 2025, pay day was 2 July 2025.
• SASSA publishes payment schedules for different grant types each month.

If your pension status is approved, your money should be disbursed on your assigned pay day via your selected payment method (bank, pay point, etc.).

What should I do if I see Pending or don’t see a payment date?

Here are the steps to resolve it:

1. Confirm all your personal and banking details are accurate and up to date. If SASSA or Home Affairs has mismatches (name, ID number, mobile number), verification may stall.
2. If you changed any detail (name, address, phone, bank), update SASSA and, if needed, the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Be patient. Sometimes delays happen because verification processes take time or because SASSA batches payments later.
4. If “Pending” status continues for many days past the expected processing time, contact SASSA via their call center or visit an office to inquire.
5. If your status was “Declined” and you believe you qualify, you may be able to appeal (depending on rules) or reapply with corrected info.

Can I appeal if my pension status shows Declined?

When your pension application is declined:

1. You should check the reason for decline (if visible) to see which eligibility criterion failed (income, documentation, identity mismatch).
2. If allowed, you may submit an appeal or reconsideration via SASSA’s official process. (SASSA has mechanisms for reconsideration in certain cases.)
3. Provide supporting evidence (income statements, bank statements, proof of identity, residency, etc.).
4. Monitor the appeal status via the same status check channels.
5. Ensure you do this within any deadlines stipulated by SASSA.