SASSA's Public Warning on Social Media Misinformation
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has launched a nationwide alert after several bogus videos began circulating on WhatsApp, TikTok and Facebook. These clips claim that the government has changed the August 2025 grant payment dates, encouraging recipients to delay cash collection or to follow dubious links promising faster payouts.
According to the agency, the videos are deliberately engineered to exploit the vulnerability of pensioners and child support claimants who depend on timely funds. By mimicking official branding and using urgent language, the false content can appear convincing, especially to older users less familiar with digital verification tools.
SASSA urges the public to cross‑check any grant‑related announcement with the official SASSA website or by calling the dedicated helpline. The agency also advises users to delete suspicious messages and report them to both the platform and the National Cyber‑Security Centre.
Confirmed August 2025 Grant Schedule
Amid the misinformation storm, SASSA has released the verified payout calendar for August 2025. The schedule applies to all primary social assistance programmes, including the old age pension, disability grant, child support grant and foster care grant.
- Old Age Pension: Payments will be credited on 1 August 2025.
- Disability Grant: Beneficiaries will receive funds on 8 August 2025.
- Child Support Grant: Disbursement dates are set for 15 August 2025.
- Foster Care Grant: Payments will be made on 22 August 2025.
The agency stresses that these dates are final and that any claim of a change must be verified through official channels. Bank transfers will be processed automatically on the listed days, and beneficiaries are advised not to share personal banking details with anyone claiming to expedite the process.
In recent months, SASSA has recorded a sharp rise in complaints about fraudulent grant messages, prompting a coordinated response with the South African Police Service's cybercrime unit. The joint effort includes public education campaigns, community outreach, and the deployment of rapid‑response teams to investigate phishing attempts.
For residents who might have already fallen victim to a scam, SASSA recommends contacting the nearest social welfare office and filing a report with the police. Prompt reporting can help retrieve lost funds and protect others from similar scams.
