The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that social grant amounts will increase starting April 1st, 2024 in order to keep pace with inflation and improve access for eligible recipients. The increases will apply to old age pensions, disability grants, foster care grants, care dependency grants, and child support grants.
According to the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, who made the announcement during the 2024 Budget Speech, the goal is to provide additional support to the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these social grants to get by.
Details of the SASSA Grants to increase from April 1st
The specific increases to SASSA grants are as follows:
A R100 total increase to old age pensions, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This will be divided into a R90 raise effective April 1st, 2024 and a further R10 increase effective October 1st, 2024.
A R50 increase to the foster care grant.
A R20 raise to the child support grant.
These amounts aim to provide extra assistance to grant beneficiaries while working within fiscal constraints. The hikes account for rising living costs that impact recipients.
The Increases Do Not Apply to the R350 SRD Grant Unfortunately
Importantly, the announced SASSA grant increases do not apply to the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, also referred to as the R350 grant. The SRD grant amounts are not changing as part of these increases.
The SRD grant was implemented separately as temporary pandemic relief for qualifying applicants. The Department of Social Development will continue engaging on potential changes to the R350 grant leading up to its March 2025 expiry date.
Social Grant Expenditure to Rise
According to the 2024 Budget Review from National Treasury, social grant expenditure (excluding the SRD grant) will rise from R217.1 billion in 2023/24 to R259.3 billion by 2026/27. This accounts for the newly announced increases aimed at supporting vulnerable groups.
The SRD grant has separate allocations of R33.6 billion for 2024/25, with provisional budgets in the two subsequent years. Efforts are underway to improve the efficiency and reach of the R350 program by April 2024 without requiring additional funding.
National Treasury indicated any extension of the SRD grant beyond March 2025 would be dependent on finalizing sustainable funding sources and social security reforms.
Grant Beneficiaries Projected to Increase
With the expanded grant amounts, National Treasury expects the total number of social grant beneficiaries, excluding recipients of the SRD grant, to grow from 18.8 million currently to 19.7 million by 2026/27.
This indicates the grant increases will improve access and inclusion for eligible citizens. Reaching more qualified applicants remains an important policy goal.
The Importance of Social Grants for Vulnerable Groups
The announced SASSA grant hikes recognize the immense importance of social grants for vulnerable segments of the population. For unemployed individuals, the elderly, persons with disabilities and children in impoverished households, these grants are a crucial lifeline.
Even modest increases make a tangible difference in helping cover basic living costs for those solely reliant on social assistance. While constrained fiscally, the government aims to disburse meaningful raises that provide concrete relief from rising inflation.
Going forward, enhancing social protections for the most economically disadvantaged South Africans remains an essential national priority. The SASSA grant increases marked an important step in boosting support for vulnerable citizens.
I’m Anele Zulu, a South African social worker dedicated to serving my country’s most vulnerable. With my degree and field expertise, I empower underprivileged communities through compassionate support and tireless advocacy on this website. My goal is simplifying access to services so families can uplift themselves
