LATEST update on SASSA grant increases in 2025

Sadly, for SASSA grant increases in 2025, no news is bad news from the South African Social Security Agency. We’re already into the third week of the year, and there’s still no word on SASSA grant increases in 2025. This is despite the fact that increases in April 2025 are a mere ten-weeks away.

If SASSA grant increases in 2025 are to follow the pattern of previous years, we have to wait on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s February 2025 budget speech for confirmation. Nevertheless, while we don’t yet have a per-grant figure, we do already know government is increasing its social-welfare budget to R266 billion this fiscal year (up from R250 billion). That equates to 3.6% of our GDP, the second highest taxpayer spend after debt servicing.

SASSA GRANT INCREASES IN 2025

For those who are unfamiliar, SASSA is tasked with providing financial support to vulnerable beneficiaries in trying economic times. SASSA administers the following social grants in South Africa to all qualifying residents:

• SASSA Old-Age Grants: For individuals aged 75 and above (R2 210) and 60 to 74 (R2 190).
• SASSA Disability: For those with permanent mental or physical disabilities (R2 190).
• SASSA War Veterans: For surviving South African war veterans (R2 190).
• SASSA Child Support Grants: For parents to children under 18 years of age (R530).
• SASSA Child Support Top Up: An additional R250 to especially needy Child Support beneficiaries.
• SASSA Foster Care: For legally appointed foster parents caring for children under the age of 18 (R1 180).
• SASSA Care Dependency For caregivers of children with severe disabilities requiring permanent care. Disability for those under the age of 18 (R2 190).
• SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant: Temporary financial relief for individuals in dire need (R370).

WHAT INCREASES CAN WE EXPECT IN 2025?

Of course, the nation’s 28-million grant beneficiaries already know the above numbers. So, what SASSA grant increases in 2025 can we expect from the Finance Minister’s budget speech? In April 2025, we anticipate SASSA will adjust grant amounts, however modestly, to reflect the rising cost of living. In turn, this will hopefully provide additional financial relief. As a result, we predict the following 5% increases:

• SASSA Old-Age Grants (60 to 74) increase to R2 290 in April 2025. And by R10 to R2 300 in October 2025.
• SASSA Old-Age Grants (75 and older) increase to R2 310 in April 2025. And by R10 to R2 320 in October 2025.
• SASSA Disability/Childcare Dependency/War Veterans increase to R2 290 in April 2025. And by R10 to R2 300 in October 2025.
• SASSA Child Support will increase to R560 in April 2025. But not again in October 2025.
• SASSA Child Support Top-Up Grants will increase to R265 in April 2025. But not again in October 2025.
• SASSA Foster Care will increase to R1 240 in April 2025. But not again in October 2025.
• SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) will remain unchanged at R370 in 2025.

Note that these are only estimates and official SASSA grant increases in 2025 still need to be finalised by the National Treasury.

LAST REMAINING PAYMENT DATES

We’ve had many readers write-in to ask why SASSA grant payment dates don’t return to the 1^st of the month like before COVID-19. Sadly, we don’t have an answer to that, and the payment schedules for the rest of the first quarter of 2025 remain unchanged:

FEBRUARY 2025

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 4 February 2025.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 5 February 2025.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 6 February 2025.

MARCH 2025

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 4 March 2025.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 5 March 2025.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 6 March 2025.

Beneficiaries must know that payments may take 2-3 days to reflect in their bank account.

THE FUTURE OF SASSA

As we’ve reported previously, there are several qualifying criteria for SASSA grants in South Africa. You can refer to detailed information on SASSA Older Persons HERE. SASSA Childcare HERE. And, finally, Social Relief of Distress (SRD) HERE. The Department of Social Development (DSD) says it is committed to 2025 increases and hopes to show its ongoing dedication to improving the well-being of vulnerable South Africans.

Forecasts predict 29-million residents will be on the welfare system by the end of the year, with 9 million of these being R370 SRD recipients. In light of 18-million ‘core grant’ beneficiaries (Older Person, Disability and Childcare), the nation’s two most important grants – Child Support and Old Age – account for 65% of total grant expenditure.

HOW MUCH WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SASSA GRANTS INCREASE BY?

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