Millions Left Unpaid in May 2025 Due to Failed SASSA ID Verification
From early May 2025, the SASSA has enforced mandatory biometric identity verification for flagged beneficiaries across all grant types. This stringent verification process has resulted in millions left unpaid in May 2025 due to failed SASSA ID verification. This affects SRD grant beneficiaries, Older Persons grant recipients, Child Support Grant claimants, and Disability grant beneficiaries who did not receive their May payments.
Millions Left Unpaid in May 2025 Due to Failed SASSA ID Verification
SASSA rolled out Identity Verification from 5 May 2025 to stop fraud and block unauthorised claims for social grants. But this move backfired, leaving millions of beneficiaries unpaid as payment dates started. Many checked their SASSA status for May 2025 payments and saw “Identity Verification Failed,” meaning their May funds are on hold until verification.
Among various SASSA grant programmes, the Old Age Grant, Child Support Grant, and Disability Grant are affected, but the most impacted is the SRD Grant, with over 8 million beneficiaries.
SASSA first tried online ID verification by sending a secure link to individuals who needed to verify their identities, but switched to in-person checks by late May. This is now causing chaos nationwide, especially in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, where offices are swamped.
About 15% of SASSA’s 28 million beneficiaries, with initial estimates suggesting about 4.2 million people, missed their May payments.
The reason for the grant payment not being received in May 2025 is because many of the SASSA beneficiaries use alternative IDs as asylum seekers or permanent residents, and their biometrics are not updated in SASSA’s system. Now, they must visit SASSA offices or mobile units in rural areas like Limpopo and Eastern Cape to update their identity information and complete their biometrics.
Important Notice for Beneficiaries with Failed SASSA ID Verification
If your SASSA status failed ID verification for May 2025, please go to a nearby SASSA office to do your biometric ID verification. Complete your verification before June 2025 payment dates commence on 3 June for Old Age grant, and end on 30 June for SRD Grants.
Act quickly to complete your verification at a SASSA office to receive your unpaid May grant and avoid further delays, as identity verification is now required for June 2025 payments.
