The SASSA grant increases were confirmed during the 2026 Budget Speech delivered in Parliament on 25 February 2026.
Millions of SASSA beneficiaries across South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, will receive higher payments from April 2026.
What is happening?
For the 2026/27 financial year, social grants are allocated R292.8 billion .
The Minister confirmed the following increases effective from April 2026:
- The Old Age Grant, Disability Grant and Care Dependency Grant increase by R80 to R2 400.
- The War Veterans Grant increases by R80 to R2 420.
- The Foster Care Grant increases by R40 to R1 290 in April, and by a further R10 in October to R1 300.
- The Child Support Grant and Grant-in-Aid increase by R20 to R580.
- The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant remains at R370.
Government also confirmed that social grants support 26.5 million beneficiaries nationwide .
Why it matters
Social grants form part of the social wage and remain a key income source for millions of households.
Although several grants increase from April 2026, the SRD grant remains unchanged at R370 for the year ahead. Therefore, beneficiaries should plan based on the confirmed amounts.
Because payments adjust automatically, most recipients do not need to reapply.
What you need to know
| Grant Type | Amount from April 2026 | October 2026 Change |
|---|---|---|
| Old Age Grant | R2 400 | No further increase |
| Disability Grant | R2 400 | No further increase |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2 400 | No further increase |
| War Veterans Grant | R2 420 | No further increase |
| Foster Care Grant | R1 290 | Increases to R1 300 |
| Child Support Grant | R580 | No further increase |
| Grant-in-Aid | R580 | No further increase |
| SRD Grant | R370 | No increase |
What you should do next
If you already receive a SASSA grant:
- You do not need to reapply.
- The new amount will reflect automatically from April 2026.
- Foster Care beneficiaries should expect the additional R10 increase in October.
- If you receive the SRD grant:
- Continue checking your status monthly.
- Ensure your contact and banking details are correct.
- Follow official SASSA announcements for any updates.
You can read more verified updates in our SASSA Grants category hub.
Where to get help
For official information or status checks:
- Visit the SASSA website: https://www.sassa.gov.za
- Call the SASSA toll-free number: 0800 60 10 11
- Visit your nearest SASSA office in the Eastern Cape.
Get practical updates that affect your household and business. Subscribe to the Pondoland Times newsletter.
Download the Pondoland Times app to get SASSA payment dates, grant updates, and important alerts before everyone else.
DON’T MISS IMPORTANT DEADLINES AND PAYMENTS
Get clear updates on SASSA, applications, funding and local opportunities — including how to fix common issues and avoid delays.
