12000 SASSA Grants Suspended: Act Now Before December 25 2025
Thandi did not find the R2,315 pension she had received for six years when she checked her account balance on December 3, 2025. No SMS alert. No letter. Nothing.
She hurried to the SASSA branch at Soweto, where she joined 47 other recipients who were confused in a line that wrapped around an entire building. The clerk told the group what they had not been told: SASSA suspended nearly twelve thousand grants because beneficiaries failed to pass verification tests which checked their bank information, ID documents and income statements.
Thandi’s problem? Her daughter deposited R500 in her account three months earlier for groceries. SASSA’s automated system flagged her undeclared earnings as an important factor in determining her eligibility. The suspension would last until she submitted proof of her income, bank statement and an affidavit from her daughter.
SASSA launched a crackdown on verification that will affect recipients of Old Age Benefit, Child Support Grant, Disability Grant, and SRD-R370. The suspensions are based on administrative issues, such as outdated information, incomplete documentation, and bank discrepancies. This dragnet also catches legitimate recipients, as well as fraudulent claimants.
This guide will explain the reasons for the suspension of the 12 000 grants, the documents SASSA requires to reinstate payments, as well as the new R8,070 monthly income threshold. It will also detail the steps that must be taken to ensure permanent benefit loss before December 25th 2025.
The December 2025 SASSA Crackdown: What does it mean to suspend Grants?
The South African Social Security Agency suspended approximately 12,000 grants until December 2025. This is part of an ongoing verification process to detect payment irregularities and ensure that only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive assistance. This is less than 1% of the 19 million South African grant recipients. For those affected, this is a serious problem.
Themba Matlou, SASSA, clarified in official statements that these suspensions were temporary and not permanent. The agency is temporarily suspending payments while it manually reviews documentation to determine eligibility. Once beneficiaries submit correct paperwork proving they qualify, payments resume automatically–typically within two to four weeks of documentation approval.
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During routine inspections, automated systems detected several problems.
Banking detail discrepancies:
Closed accounts that have bounced payments. Accounts that are registered under a different name than the beneficiary.
Failures in identity verification
Identification documents that have expired, IDs without smart cards, green barcodes on IDs and different spellings of names between ID books and digital records of the Department of Home Affairs.
Unreported Income
Examples include: bank deposits that indicate earnings above the threshold limit; employment confirmed by cross-checking SARS with National Treasury Payroll; UIF registrations which indicate active unemployment benefits.
Incomplete documentation:
Uncompleted proof of residence, outdated guardianship documents, and missing medical records are all reasons for a disability grant to be denied.
Many families are under stress because of the timing (December, 2025) and rely on grants to pay for their school fees in January as well as holiday expenses. In addition, they have a financial obligation towards the end of the year. SASSA has hired additional staff to help the influx of beneficiaries seeking clarifications or submitting documents. During this time, processing delays remain a problem.
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Why 12000 Beneficiaries are Affected
SASSA DID NOT SELECT 12 000 cases at random. The suspensions were a result of comparing beneficiary data with government databases throughout 2025. The flags were raised by:
Six-Month Review Process
In June 2025, SASSA will review approximately 210,000 recipients. Automated systems detected concerns about eligibility. The agency asked beneficiaries to provide updated data and supporting documents via SMS, WhatsApp and official correspondences from June to November.
Twelve thousand beneficiaries were suspended in December because they either did not respond to the requests, or provided incomplete documentation. This didn’t solve the issue. SASSA believes that if you do not cooperate with the verification after six months of notification, a temporary suspension will be imposed.
Sipho, my neighbor, received 3 SMS messages between July and November asking him to confirm their banking details at the local office. He ignored the messages, assuming they were fake. In November, his R370 SRD award had been suspended. After presenting his ID card and bank statement to the office, payments were resumed in mid-December. The three-week delay could have been avoided if the first messages had been replied to.
Cross-Database Verification Failures
The SASSA cross-reference system includes:
- Department of Home Affairs
- Verify that the SASSA records are up to date with any name changes due to marriage or divorce.
- South African Revenue Service
SARS uses tax records for detecting employment income and identifying income from registered companies. SARS uses the data it collects to compare income declarations against bank data.
National Treasury
The payroll system can reveal government employment. The system identifies employees such as teachers, police officers, and municipal employees who may be eligible for grants.
Department of Labour
Displays active UIF registrations and benefit payments. Recent employment history is revealed. Confirm unemployment status when applying for SRD grants.
Banks
Accounts that have suspicious transaction patterns are flagged.
SASSA flags the case for review when one of these systems contains information that is in contradiction to what the grant applicant declared on their application. If the beneficiary does not provide supporting documentation and explanations, they will be suspended.
Income Threshold Enforcement
SASSA announced it would implement stricter regulations regarding the R8,070 threshold income for grants that are means-tested in September 2025. The changes will be made to Old Age Pension, Disability Grants, and War Veterans Grants. Technically, anyone earning more than R8,070, whether from employment, rental income, investments or freelance work, is not eligible for grants.
Many recipients were not aware that income from seasonal work, family deposits and small business income can count towards the threshold. A grandmother receiving a pension might ask her grandson to pay R1,000 per week in order to cover expenses. The SASSA algorithm examines the R1,000 regular deposit to flag any unreported earnings.
The limit for married couples in South Africa is R16.140/month. The “household income” does not only include the spouse’s pension, but also all other income that is brought into the household.
Biometric Verification Requirements
SASSA has mandated biometric authentication on all payments up until December 2025. The beneficiaries are required to verify their identity by fingerprint scanning in authorized retailers or local offices. The purpose of this is to prevent fraud. For example, when someone uses more than one identity or collects grant money for a deceased family member.
The 12 000 grants suspended were in cases when beneficiaries did not complete biometric tests despite multiple notifications. SASSA allows elderly and disabled beneficiaries the opportunity to visit verification points. It is possible to do this by appointing an official who can collect grants on their behalf.
SASSA Notifies Grant Recipients When Grants Are Suspended
SASSA will inform recipients of its decision to suspend a grant via various channels. You will be able to distinguish between a genuine communication and a scam if you are able to tell the difference.
Official SMS Notifications
The message can be delivered by using the short code 32473 (33780), or 32473 (legitimate SASSA suspension messages). The message contains the following:
“SASSA NOTIFICATION. Your [grant] has been suspended for [reason]. Within 90 days, you must bring your ID and supporting documents to the SASSA office nearest you. Ref: [reference number]”
You should always keep the reference number handy. When calling SASSA or visiting their offices, you will need the reference number. The message will specify the exact reason for suspension. For example, “banking verification required,” “income assessment,” or “identity documents expired.”
Scam messages are often vague and ask you to click on a link or give your bank information, or to pay instantly to “reactivate”. SASSA does not ask for banking information via SMS, and it doesn’t charge to reinstate your grant.
WhatsApp and Email Communications
If SASSA has your number, they can send you detailed notices of suspension via WhatsApp or email. The SASSA can send you detailed suspension notices via WhatsApp and email if they have your number registered.
- Suspension for any reason
- List of documents that need to be reinstated
- The nearest SASSA office address
- Online booking is available for some offices.
- Deadline to respond (normally 90 days from the suspension date).
You can also get forms and similar information by emailing @sassa.gov.za.
Physical Letters
SASSA can mail letters to beneficiaries who do not have active phone numbers or whose messages bounce back as undeliverable. It can take up to 10 or 15 days for the letters to reach their recipients. They are comprehensive and explain the actions in detail.
Beneficiaries who moved within the last year but have not updated SASSA with their new address may be at risk. The letter will be sent to an old address. The beneficiary never receives the letter. The beneficiary has not been informed of any problems during the ninety-day response period.
My aunt moved from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal 2023. She didn’t update her SASSA address. The suspension notice was sent at the old Durban location. When she was informed of the suspension, her disability grant hadn’t been deposited. After she submitted more documentation, visited multiple offices and made office visits, it took six weeks for the grant to be reinstated.
Check your status online
The SASSA portals are the most accurate method to check suspensions.
SRD Grant R370:
Visit srd.sassa.gov.za. Enter your 13-digit ID number and registered phone number, then request the PIN. Check your status. The status of a suspended grant is “Suspended” followed by the reason code.
Other Grants
Visit the SASSA App on Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Visit www.sassa.gov.za. Click on “Check grant status.” You will need your ID number as well as any reference numbers from previous correspondence.
You can catch suspensions sooner if you check your account status every week. Early action can result in a faster resolution.
Documents required to activate your grant
SASSA requires specific documentation depending on the reason for your grant suspension. If you are prepared with these documents before visiting the local SASSA office, your reinstatement will be significantly faster.
Documents Universal Required for All Suspensions
These documents should be brought to each SASSA visit regardless of the reason for suspension:
Valid South African ID
Your 13-digit intelligent ID card. The green barcoded ID cards are being phased out and can cause delays. You can get a new ID if yours has expired or been lost. SASSA will not process reinstatement requests without a valid ID.
Please provide proof of your banking details:
Bring your bank statement, which is not older than 3 months, showing the full account number, branch code, account holder’s name, and the name of the institution. For beneficiaries to collect at retail outlets, they must bring a confirmation from Pick n Pay or Shoprite. Boxer and Post Office will also be required.
Proof of Residence
Your address must match the one on your SASSA application. This will add processing time if you have changed your address. Address updating will be triggered if you have moved. This adds processing time.
Documents related to the Suspension or Income
If you are suspended because of “undisclosed income”, “income verify required” or other reasons:
Bank Statements
All statements from your accounts must be provided. You can include accounts that you don’t often use, those you forgot about, as well as accounts at Shoprite, Pick n Pay or other retailers.
You must include a note of explanation or a typed letter with each deposit exceeding R200. “R500 October 15 – loaned from sister (affidavit enclosed),” “R1200 Nov 3 – money from children for birthdays,” “R800 Nov 20 – repayment to neighbor.”
Signed Affidavits by Depositors
If family members or friends deposited money into your account, they should sign affidavits at a police station or commissioner of oaths stating: “I, [name], ID [number], deposited R[amount] into [beneficiary name]’s account on [date] as a gift/loan to assist with [groceries/rent/medical expenses]. It was not compensation for services or work.”
Proof of Income Cessation
Bring a letter of termination from your former employer, on letterhead with the date you last worked. You can also bring your three most recent pay slips with dates.
UIF termination letter:
Visit any Department of Labour and present your ID if you are still receiving UIF payments.
Documents of Suspension to Verify Identity
If you are suspended because “identity verification failed” or “document updates” are needed:
Obtain a certified ID copy
To verify that the copy is identical to the original, the certifier must sign and stamp the copy. The certification date must be within 3 months.
Marriage certificate or divorce decree:
If your ID shows a different name, but SASSA records indicate a previous one, bring your official certificate proving the name change.
Death certificates
If your parents have died, and you are now the caregiver, please provide the certificate. If you’re applying for a foster care grant and your biological parents are deceased, please provide the certificates.
Banking Detail Change Documents
You may have been suspended due to “incorrect bank details”, “banking validation failure” or other reasons.
New bank confirmation letter:
Your bank will stamp a letter on its official letterhead confirming your name, ID number, account number, account type, and branch code. Most branches of banks will provide these within 24 hours.
Why you should switch your bank:
Explain in a brief note why you changed banks. You can say, “I closed my FNB account because it was far away from me.” I opened a new Capitec bank account because there was a branch in my township.
Retail collection confirmation:
Please bring your confirmation of registration at Pick n Pay (or Shoprite), Boxer, Post Office etc. showing your active collection point.
Disability Grant Specific Documents
Your disability benefits may have been suspended if:
Updated Medical Report
SASSA only accepts medical reports from government clinics or hospitals. Private doctors are not accepted. The doctor will need to fill out a form that confirms your disability.
Patients’ appointment cards
You must show that you are receiving ongoing medical care and actively managing your disability.
Prescriptions for medication
Existing prescriptions for disabilities under your name.
SASSA has been known to suspend disability payments due to periodic medical evaluations. SASSA requires that these assessments be performed every 12 months for temporary disabilities and every 60 months for permanent disabilities. If these assessment windows are not met, an automatic suspension will be triggered.
Documents specific to Child Support Grant
If:
Child’s birth certificate: Birth certificate with both parents’ names.
Proof that the child lives at your home: A letter of enrollment with the school letterhead indicating you as the address for the child or a card showing you regularly take the child to the clinic.
You must show a court order stating that you were granted guardianship if you are not the biological parent.
Certificate of death of parents: If you are caring for a child, provide the death certificate of that parent. Explain your relationship with the children.
The verification process is crucial to grant payments
SASSA verification does not constitute harassment. It’s a legal requirement to protect the public’s money. Understanding the reason for these checks will help you approach the situation more cooperatively than defensively.
Verification of Legal Framework
Social Assistance Act of 2002 mandates SASSA to verify beneficiary eligibility at the time of application and periodically review grant recipients during their lifetime. Section 11(1) requires beneficiaries to “inform the Agency within 30 days of any change in circumstances which could affect eligibility”.
If SASSA determines that there is deliberate fraud, failures to report (new employment, increased earnings or address changes, banking shifts, etc.) may lead to grant suspensions and criminal charges.
SASSA must also perform reviews “at such intervals as prescribed” in the Act, to confirm eligibility. Most grants are reviewed every three to five years. SASSA may also perform ad-hoc reviews when their systems flag potential issues.
Verification is an important safeguard for a system
South Africa spends R280bn a year in social grants. This is the third highest budget item, after education and healthcare. Around 55,5% of South Africans are below the poverty level. Over 28 million South Africans rely on grants to survive.
Verification exercises serve four essential functions:
Fraud prevention involves stopping people from collecting money on behalf of deceased relatives, or hiding their income. SASSA estimates that fraud costs the system R3-5 billion per year.
It is important to confirm eligibility in order to ensure that beneficiaries’ circumstances have not changed and they are no longer eligible. Someone who was unemployed when they applied may now be working. You may have to consider the possibility that an elderly pensioner is dead.
Budget sustainability. SASSA can release funds by removing those who are ineligible. This allows them to give money to legitimate recipients and new applicants waiting at the verification line. Over 150,000 people are on the waiting list to receive disability grants. This backlog could be cleared by removing fraudulent claims.
Accuracy of the database. Verifications are conducted regularly to ensure that beneficiary information is accurate. It reduces the number of payment failures due to outdated banking details, wrong addresses, or incorrect contact information.
SASSA does not intend to deny assistance to those who are eligible. They protect the system against abuse and ensure that it only serves those who are truly qualified.
You have rights when you are being verified
SASSA must ensure that all verification procedures respect the rights of beneficiaries.
You have a right to be informed: You should get a notification that is clear and includes the specific reason for suspension, not just vague words. The notice should include the required documents and give you 90-days to respond.
If you feel that the suspension is unjustified, then you may appeal. Your appeal will go before the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals. The appeal must be lodged within 90 calendar days after receiving the suspension notice.
SASSA offices should help you to understand the requirements. Staff should assist you with filling in forms and explain requirements to you in your native language if necessary.
You can appoint an appointed procurator in the event that your disability or advanced age prevents you from attending offices. For this you will need to complete a procurator request and provide documents explaining your inability.
The Verification Timeline
Understanding the typical timelines for verifying your documents will help you manage your expectations.
Document submission: Same day for documents submitted in person to SASSA.
Initial review: 5-10 business days after document receipt. SASSA staff will check to ensure that all documents and suspension reasons are complete.
Database verification: 7-14 business days. SASSA will check your information in databases of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), SARS and financial institutions.
Final decision: 3-7 business days after verification completes. SASSA may reinstate or ask for additional documentation.
You will receive your payment within 5-10 business days of reinstatement. The reinstated grant is paid out at the next scheduled date for payment.
Depending on complexity, the total timeline is 20-45 business days. Inter-departmental checking or requests for additional documentation can take longer.
The suspension of my cousin’s child support in October took 32 working days. She sent in the documents on October 12. SASSA requested proof of residency in October. She sent it to SASSA on October 28. Approval came November 10. Her November payment consisted of both the November and October payments that were backdated. Totaling R1,120, it was received on November 25.
You can check your grant status online.
Checking your grant status regularly–weekly during normal times, daily if you’re undergoing verification–prevents surprises and helps you catch problems early.
SRD R370 Grant Status Check
Social Relief of Distress Grants:
Step 1: Open srd.sassa.gov.za on any device with an internet connection.
Click on “Status check” or “Check application status” in the homepage.
Step 3 Enter your 13 digit South African ID without spaces or dashes.
Step 4 Enter your 10-digit registered mobile number as it was entered during the application.
Step 5 – Click “Send Code” and then wait for 30 – 120 seconds to receive an SMS with your unique code.
Step 6 Enter the 6-digit PIN and click “Verify or Submit.”
Step 7: You will see your current payment status, along with last payment and next payment dates.
Status messages
- Your grant has been approved and your payments will continue.
- “Pending:” Your application is being verified or processed (normal for new applicants).
- “Declined”, your application was rejected, with a reason given (identified source of income, UIF registration, failed identity verification).
- “Suspended”, your previously approved grant is temporarily suspended pending of verification.
- Bank Verification is required: Before you can continue to receive payments, you will need to verify or update all your banking information.
You should take a screen shot of the status page whenever you check it. This is a record in case there are any disputes.
Other SASSA Grants Check Status
The following grants are available:
Online method
- Download the SASSA App on Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Register with your ID and create a safe PIN
- You can navigate to the “My Grants section” by clicking on the link.
- View your current status and payment history.
SMS:
- Open the messaging application on your smartphone
- Send SMS to the 32473
- Type: STATUS [your 13-digit ID number]
- Example: “STATUS 8509155428084”
- Reply arrived within 5-15 working days, showing current grant situation
WhatsApp:
- Save 082 446 8553 as a contacts
- Send “Status”, or “Check status” message
- Enter the ID number using the prompts
- Automated system replys with current grant data
Method of calling:
- Call SASSA’s toll-free number 0800 6010 11
- Waiting times can range between 5-60 mins depending on when you go.
- Best time to call: Monday-Friday, 8:00-9.00 AM or 2.00-3.00 PM
- You will need your ID number as well as the grant reference number.
- You can also confirm the next payment date by asking your agent to check on your current status.
In-person method:
- Find your local SASSA office
- Bring your ID Document
- Get a number for the queue (arrive early — lines form at busy offices before 7:00AM)
- You can ask staff to check the status of your account on the system
- You can print a copy of the confirmation to confirm your current status
The method in person provides the most detailed information. The staff can see the system notes which explain exactly why a suspend occurred, and what documents will be required to resolve it. This information is often not visible in automated checking systems.
SASSA September 20,25 Warning: Grants will be suspended for citizens earning above R8,070 after the 15th.
SASSA changed its policy in September 2025. This change will affect beneficiaries well into December 2025. Understanding this change in income thresholds is critical for maintaining grant eligibility.
What does the SASSA warning September 2025 mean?
As of September 15, 2025 the means-tested grant limit will be strictly enforced. If a beneficiary earns over this amount, their grant will be suspended until they drop below the threshold.
The income limit was already in place. What has changed is the intensity of enforcement. SASSA now checks beneficiary bank accounts, tax records, and employment records monthly, instead of periodically every few years.
The threshold is R8,070.
- Old Age Pension (for those aged 60-74)
- Older Persons grant (for beneficiaries aged 75+)
- Disability Grant (permanent & temporary)
- War Veterans Grant
- Care Dependency Allowance
The maximum combined household income is R16.140 a month for married couples. If both the husband and his wife earn above this limit, then they will be ineligible to receive grants.
The Child Support Grant is based on a different threshold, which is lower: R5,500 for single caregivers and R11,000 if you are married.
SRD R370 has the strictest eligibility criteria. Anyone earning more than R624 a month from any source is automatically disqualified.
Why does SASSA implement this change?
Three factors led to stricter income-based threshold enforcement
Budget pressure: South Africa’s Social Grant budget is expected to exceed R280 billion between 2024-2025. It will grow faster than tax revenues. The Treasury demanded SASSA tighten the eligibility criteria to control spending.
SASSA has improved fraud detection by connecting directly to SARS databases and banks through its new digital verification system. Now they can detect income that beneficiaries did not report previously because verification methods were incomplete and manual.
Press pressure: The public’s outcry over “grant-fraud” by people who receive grants has intensified since media reports exposed instances of middle-class and government employees receiving grants while earning a substantial income.
SASSA’s stance: Grants are available for those truly indigent, people who have no alternative means of subsistence. If you are earning R8,070 a month, you do not need state assistance. The money should go towards someone who is not earning anything.
Critics claim the threshold is set too low. R8,070 a month equals R96.840 a year, barely enough to get above South Africa’s poverty level. Rent, food, and transport are difficult to afford for a single urban earner. The hardship caused by cutting their R2,315 monthly pension is severe.
SASSA says that grants are not meant to be a supplement for middle-income earning. If you are above the threshold for state assistance, you can rely on your income.
How will this affect grant recipients?
The impact on your daily life depends on the source of income you have.
Scenario #1 – Regular Employment: If you receive Old Age pension and work full-time, earning R9,000 a month, your grant may be suspended the first time verification is done after September 15, 2025. A suspension notice will be sent to you. You can choose whether you want to prove your income falls below R8,070, perhaps after work deductions that you haven’t taken into account. Or you can accept the suspension and rely on only employment income.
Scenario 2 – Variable income: If you do piece jobs or seasonal work that sometimes exceeds R8,070 but usually falls below it, you face repeated suspension-reinstatement cycles. The suspension occurs each month that you earn over the ceiling. If your income falls again, you will need to submit evidence in order to be reinstated.
Scenario #3 – Gifts or Support: If your relatives and children regularly contribute money to help you with expenses, then those contributions are considered income. The monthly R1,500 from your son and your R2,315 pension is R3,815 – well below the threshold. You could be in trouble if, for example, your son sent R6,000 to cover medical costs one month.
Scenario 4- Informal income. Even if your income is irregular or unpredictable, it counts towards the R8,070 income limit. SASSA will flag any unreported income if it detects cash deposits on your account.
The law is targeted at pensioners over 65 who supplement their pensions with part-time jobs. A 65 year old man earning R2,315 as a pension, who also works part-time in a security job earning R6,000 – a monthly income of R8,000 – has accumulated – R245 over the maximum – he totals R8,315 – R245 more than the limit. His entire R2,315 retirement income is suspended leaving him only with the R6,000 in employment income.
When Should You Take Action
Do not wait until the suspension happens. Do these proactive things now:
Calculate the actual income you receive each month: Add all your income sources together, including employment, pensions, investment income, rental income and regular family support. Be truthful and complete.
If you compare your monthly total income with the threshold, does it always fall below R8,070? (R16,140 if married) If you answered yes, then you are safe. If you don’t, your suspension will likely occur within the next 1 to 3 months once SASSA verifies your file.
Document irregular income. For example, if you are occasionally above R8,070 and usually below it, then prepare documentation that proves the income is inconsistent. Gather up to six month’s worth of bank statement notes, explaining the deposits. “R500 birthday gift,” R2,000 one-time payment to fix neighbor’s roofing,” “R1,000 sold old furniture.”
Update SASSA pro-actively: Visit the local office, or update your information online before SASSA flags. The voluntary disclosure is more favorable than getting caught in a verification sweep.
Ask your family to separate gifts from income. The affidavits should be kept ready in case SASSA questions your deposits.
If your income is slightly above the threshold, see if you could reduce it to remain eligible. You can, for example, reduce your working hours, negotiate a reduced salary, or restructure family support to avoid the limit.
Real-Life example – The Dlamini Families
Elizabeth Dlamini is 67 years old and lives in Alexandra. She receives an Old Age pension of R2,315 per month. Her pension is her main income since the death of her husband five years ago.
Nomsa began a small catering company in June 2025. Nomsa would contribute R1,500 a month to Elizabeth’s account for her household expenses – groceries, electricity, and rent.
Elizabeth’s total monthly income is R3,815 (pension + daughter’s contribution). This is well below the R8,070 limit.
Nomsa, a caterer from Johannesburg, received a big order in September to cater for a corporate event. Elizabeth received R4,500 from Nomsa to help with the cooking and preparation. It was a single payment for the weekend work.
Elizabeth’s monthly income was: R2,315 pension + R1,500 regular daughter support + R4,500 catering help = R8,315 total. R245 is over the limit.
Elizabeth received a SASSA notice in November. The agency’s automated software flagged her income for September as exceeding thresholds. Her Old Age Pension immediately was suspended.
Elizabeth visited Alexandra SASSA’s office with:
- Her bank statements showing deposits in September
- Nomsa affidavit stating that the R1,500 contributions per month are gifts intended to assist with household costs and not earned income
- Nomsa’s letter explaining the R4,500 as a one-time payment to help with a catering event.
SASSA reinstated her retirement after 23 days. The decision stated that her regular monthly earnings (pension plus gifts from daughter) were below thresholds and that the spike in September was an undocumented one-time event.
Elizabeth’s pension income was suspended for three weeks, and she lost money that she desperately needed. Even temporary income spikes cause suspensions to take weeks, even if you are clearly eligible.