ElyForma
SASSA & Social GrantsSASSAGrant IncreasesPayment AmountsSouth AfricaSocial Grants

SASSA Grant Payment Increases (2026)

Complete guide to SASSA grant payment increases for 2026. Learn about increases for Child Support, Old Age, Disability, SRD R350, and all other grants, including effective dates and how increases are calculated.

SASSA Expert
March 8, 2026
14 min read
SASSA Grant Payment Increases (2026)

SASSA Grant Payment Increases (2026)

SASSA grant payment increases are announced annually as part of the South African government's budget process. Understanding when increases occur, how much they are, and which grants are affected helps beneficiaries plan their finances and understand their entitlements. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers all SASSA grant payment increases, effective dates, calculation methods, and what beneficiaries can expect.

Understanding Grant Increases

How Grant Increases Work

Annual Process:

  • Government announces increases in budget
  • Increases typically effective April 1
  • Based on inflation and cost of living
  • Applied to all eligible grants
  • Automatic for all beneficiaries

Increase Factors:

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation
  • Cost of living adjustments
  • Government budget allocations
  • Economic conditions
  • Social welfare priorities

When Increases Take Effect

Timing:

  • Usually announced in February/March
  • Effective from April 1 each year
  • Applied to next payment cycle
  • Automatic for all beneficiaries
  • No application needed

2026 Timeline:

  • Budget announcement: February 2026
  • Effective date: April 1, 2026
  • First increased payment: April/May 2026
  • Backdated if announced after April 1

2026 Grant Payment Increases

Child Support Grant

2025 Amount: R510 per month
2026 Increase: Approximately 4-6% increase expected
2026 Estimated Amount: R530-R540 per month

Details:

  • Monthly payment per child
  • Paid to primary caregiver
  • No means test for this grant
  • Increase applies automatically

Old Age Grant (Older Persons Grant)

2025 Amount: R2,090 per month
2026 Increase: Approximately 4-6% increase expected
2026 Estimated Amount: R2,170-R2,210 per month

Details:

  • For South Africans 60+ years
  • Means-tested grant
  • Automatic increase
  • Paid monthly

War Veterans:

  • 2025: R2,110 per month
  • 2026: Approximately R2,190-R2,230 per month

Disability Grant

2025 Amount: R2,090 per month
2026 Increase: Approximately 4-6% increase expected
2026 Estimated Amount: R2,170-R2,210 per month

Details:

  • For permanently disabled persons
  • Temporary disability: R2,090 (2025)
  • Permanent disability: R2,090 (2025)
  • Medical assessment required

Care Dependency Grant

2025 Amount: R2,090 per month
2026 Increase: Approximately 4-6% increase expected
2026 Estimated Amount: R2,170-R2,210 per month

Details:

  • For children with severe disabilities
  • Paid to caregiver
  • Medical assessment required
  • Increase applies automatically

Foster Child Grant

2025 Amount: R1,120 per month
2026 Increase: Approximately 4-6% increase expected
2026 Estimated Amount: R1,165-R1,190 per month

Details:

  • For foster parents
  • Per foster child
  • Court order required
  • Automatic increase

Grant-in-Aid

2025 Amount: R500 per month
2026 Increase: Approximately 4-6% increase expected
2026 Estimated Amount: R520-R530 per month

Details:

  • For persons needing full-time care
  • Paid in addition to other grants
  • Medical assessment required
  • Increase applies automatically

Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 Grant

2025 Amount: R350 per month
2026 Status: To be confirmed in budget
2026 Expected: R350-R370 per month (if extended)

Details:

  • Temporary grant
  • Subject to annual review
  • May be extended or discontinued
  • Amount may increase if extended

Note: The SRD R350 grant is subject to annual budget decisions and may be extended, increased, or discontinued based on government policy.

How Increases Are Calculated

Calculation Method

Primary Factor:

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation
  • Typically 4-6% annual increase
  • Based on previous year's inflation
  • Government budget considerations

Additional Factors:

  • Cost of living adjustments
  • Government budget allocations
  • Economic conditions
  • Social welfare priorities
  • Political considerations

Inflation-Based Increases

CPI Inflation:

  • Measures cost of living changes
  • Calculated by Statistics South Africa
  • Used to determine grant increases
  • Ensures grants keep pace with inflation

Typical Increase:

  • Usually matches or exceeds inflation
  • Often 4-6% annually
  • May be higher in high-inflation years
  • May be lower in economic downturns

When You'll Receive Increased Amount

Payment Timeline

Announcement:

  • Usually February/March
  • Budget speech announcement
  • Media coverage
  • SASSA website updates

Effective Date:

  • Typically April 1
  • Applied to next payment cycle
  • Automatic for all beneficiaries
  • No action required

First Increased Payment:

  • Usually April or May payment
  • Depends on payment cycle
  • Backdated if announced after April 1
  • All future payments at new rate

How to Know Your New Amount

Ways to Check:

  • SASSA website announcement
  • SMS notification from SASSA
  • Payment amount on statement
  • SASSA office inquiry
  • Media announcements

Historical Grant Increases

2025 Increases

2024 to 2025:

  • Child Support: R510 (from R500)
  • Old Age: R2,090 (from R2,030)
  • Disability: R2,090 (from R2,030)
  • Foster Child: R1,120 (from R1,100)
  • Grant-in-Aid: R500 (from R490)

Increase Percentage:

  • Approximately 2-4% across grants
  • Based on 2024 inflation
  • Effective April 1, 2025

2024 Increases

2023 to 2024:

  • Child Support: R500 (from R480)
  • Old Age: R2,030 (from R1,980)
  • Disability: R2,030 (from R1,980)
  • Foster Child: R1,100 (from R1,070)

Increase Percentage:

  • Approximately 4-5% across grants
  • Based on 2023 inflation
  • Effective April 1, 2024

Special Considerations

Backdating

If Announced After April 1:

  • Increases may be backdated
  • Backdated to April 1
  • Lump sum payment possible
  • Check with SASSA

Multiple Grants

If Receiving Multiple Grants:

  • Each grant increases separately
  • All grants get increase
  • Total income increases
  • No special process needed

Grant-in-Aid

Additional Grant:

  • Paid in addition to main grant
  • Also receives increase
  • Increases with other grants
  • Automatic increase

Budget Announcement Process

Annual Budget Speech

When:

  • Usually February/March
  • Finance Minister delivers speech
  • Announces grant increases
  • Effective dates announced

What's Announced:

  • New grant amounts
  • Effective dates
  • Total budget allocation
  • Policy changes

Media Coverage

Information Sources:

  • Government announcements
  • SASSA website updates
  • News media coverage
  • Social media updates
  • SASSA offices

What to Do When Increases Are Announced

No Action Required

Automatic Process:

  • Increases are automatic
  • No application needed
  • No forms to complete
  • No office visit required

What Happens:

  • SASSA updates systems
  • New amounts applied
  • Payments increase automatically
  • You receive new amount

Verify Your Payment

After Increase:

  • Check payment amount
  • Verify increase received
  • Compare to announced amount
  • Contact SASSA if incorrect

Frequently Asked Questions

When are grant increases announced?

Grant increases are typically announced in February or March each year as part of the annual budget process, with increases taking effect from April 1.

How much will grants increase in 2026?

2026 grant increases are typically 4-6% based on inflation. Exact amounts are announced in the annual budget speech. This guide provides estimates based on historical patterns.

Do I need to apply for the increase?

No, grant increases are automatic. All beneficiaries receive the increased amount automatically when it takes effect.

When will I receive the increased amount?

Increased amounts typically take effect from April 1 and are paid in the April or May payment cycle, depending on your payment schedule.

What if I don't receive the increased amount?

If you don't receive the increased amount after it takes effect, contact SASSA to verify your payment and ensure the increase has been applied to your grant.

Are all grants increased by the same percentage?

Generally, most grants receive similar percentage increases, though some grants may receive slightly different increases based on government policy and budget allocations.

What about the SRD R350 grant?

The SRD R350 grant is subject to annual budget decisions and may be extended, increased, or discontinued. Check the annual budget announcement for the status of this grant.

Will increases be backdated?

If increases are announced after April 1, they may be backdated to April 1, and you may receive a lump sum payment for the difference.

How can I find out the exact increase amounts?

Check the SASSA website, annual budget speech, news media, or contact SASSA directly for the exact increase amounts for 2026.

What if I'm receiving multiple grants?

If you're receiving multiple grants, each grant will receive the increase separately, and your total monthly income will increase accordingly.

Conclusion

SASSA grant payment increases are announced annually as part of the government's budget process, typically taking effect from April 1. Increases are usually 4-6% based on inflation and are applied automatically to all grants. Understanding when increases occur, how much they are, and which grants are affected helps beneficiaries plan their finances and understand their entitlements. Stay informed through official SASSA announcements, the annual budget speech, and media coverage to know exactly when and how much your grant will increase.

For more information about specific grant amounts, payment schedules, or grant management, explore our other comprehensive SASSA guides.


Related Articles:

Official Resources:

Share:
About the Author
SASSA Expert

SASSA Expert

Specializing in South African social grants and SASSA services with extensive knowledge of grant amounts, payment schedules, and government assistance programs.