The extensions and improvements in the ongoing grants by SASSA are noteworthy. The increase in the different social grants varies from R20 to R90. For instance, the new amount for an old age grant is R2180 and for war veterans is R2200.
The government has already allocated billions of rands (R) for the social development of South Africa. It aims to spend R107 billion on old age grants and R85.8 billion on child support grants. The significant changes are also coming for the month of October 2024.
Another good news is that the SRD grant dates are extended till March 2025. Now the beneficiaries will receive the existing grants with enhancements and for an extended period of time.
If you want to become a part of SASSA and need financial assistance, then you can apply for the social benefits with increments. This blog has the latest information about the new rates of the grants from April 2024 and for the coming October.
SASSA New Grants Payments 2024-25
The finance ministry of South Africa has made the decision to increase the budget for social grants. Minister Enoch Godongwana in his budget speech for the year 2024 announced the enhancements in the payouts for the social benefits given by SASSA.
The government’s commitment is to maintain the purchasing power of the citizens and tackle the inflation rate. In spite of the economic challenge, there are multiple changes in the grant payments by SASSA that we are elaborating in this table.
| Grant Name | Old Amount | Increase in April | Net Amount in April | Increase in October | New Amount in October |
| Old Age (under 75 years old) | 2090 | 90 | 2180 | 10 | 2190 |
| Old Age (over 75 years old) | 2110 | 90 | 2200 | 10 | 2210 |
| Disability | 2090 | 90 | 2180 | 10 | 2190 |
| Child Support | 510 | 20 | 530 | 0 | 530 |
| Foster Care | 1130 | 50 | 1180 | 0 | 1180 |
| SRD Grant | 350 | 20 | 370 | 0 | 370 |
| War Veterans | 2110 | 90 | 2200 | 10 | 2210 |
| Care Dependency | 2090 | 90 | 2180 | 10 | 2190 |
SASSA Grants Increase In 2024
The government has announced the increments in the grants that are offered to the needy citizens of South Africa. There are multiple social grants that aim to financially support millions of people, and here are their increased amounts in 2024.
Old Age Grant
This type of grant is for elderly people who can not afford the basic expenses. The old people can not rely on their limited income and need crucial assistance. The adjustment made in the recent budget for this grant is R90. An additional amount of R10 is expected in October.
From the 1st of April 2024, old age people have started receiving the R2180 on monthly biases. The recipients who are above 75 years old have a benchmark of R2200 per month. The vulnerable group can confirm the updated benefits by calling SASSA.
Disability Grant
Disability grants are for those individuals who can not work in the office due to severe illness. There are two main categories of disabled people mentioned by SASSA. Permanent and temporary disabled people can get benefits depending upon their condition for six months.
SASSA Disability Grant Payment Dates September 2024
From April 1st, 2024 the increment in the disability grant is R90. The total payout with the added amount is R2180 per month. If we consider the R10 increment for the upcoming month of October then this amount will be R2190 per month.
War Veterans Grant
At the age of retirement war veterans who serve in the military can avail of this grant. The war veterans made sacrifices for their countries. They took part in different battles and now the government is giving some value to their struggles for the nation.
War Veterans Grant Payment Dates Augusts 2024
The grant amount for this social benefit is increased by R90 from the 1st of April 2024. The new total amount is R2200 per month. On the other hand, the further increment of R10 in the month of October will make it R2210 for a single month throughout the year.
Care Dependency Grant
The care dependency grants are for children who have some sort of permanent disabilities. These disabilities can be mental or physical. The costs associated with the care of these children are provided to their families. So the child can receive medical attention.
The increase in the grant payment is R90 from the start of April 2024. The new amount is now R2180 per month for the disabled child. From October an increment of R10 is expected that will increase the total grant amount up to R2190 per month.
Child Support Grant
The poor families who can not provide the basic needs for the children can take this grant. These basic needs can include food, clothing, and education. This grant is essential for the studies and schooling fees of children.
A total increment for this garnet is R20 started from the month of April 2024. The actual total amount for this relief is now R530 after a boost. These adjustments are made for the parents of the children to upbringing the child and pay their school fees on time.
Foster Care Grant
The foster parents can take the child under their custody for the time being. They can apply for a foster grant to cover the basic expenses of this child. The foster children live with non-biological parents and need proper care.
From the 1st of April 2024, a total R50 increment is granted for this social benefit. Now the foster parents are receiving R1180. The foster parents are responsible for the upbringing of this child and have to bear the financial expenses. This grant helps them to cover basic financial needs.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
This type of grant is temporary and is provided to the affected citizens in South Africa. These individuals may have different circumstances that make them struggle to live a good life. The loss of a job and bad financial conditions can cause them distress.
The social redlive grant is increased by R20 from April 2024. Now the new amount is R370 which is provided to the needy recipients. The rising cost of living and inflation rate forced the South African government to increase the grant amounts for different social relives by SASSA.
SASSA Budget For 2025-26
The government is planning to spend almost R1.17 trillion on grant aid and public welfare services. The initiative is taken for the disabled, old, and vulnerable people of South Africa. The maximum spending from this budget is allocated for the social grant, which is 81.8%.
The Department of National Treasury says that almost R217.1 billion will be spent on social grants for the year 2024. The upcoming increment for the years 2025 and 2026 shall be R259.3 billion. There are a number of people who are struggling with inflation and growing costs.
Approximately over 19 million people are receiving social grants which is a huge number. The number of recipients is expected to increase in the year 2026 and onwards. Most of the people get old age grants and child support grants from SASSA.
The budget for the SRD grants is different and is almost 33 billion. Most of the things are finalized but the discussion is still under process by the government and final remarks will decide on enhancements in the payments for the upcoming years.
Implications of the SASSA Grants Increase
The increase in social grants is a great step by the government. It plays a vital role in a socio economic landscape where investments are necessary for the deserving people of the nation. This initiative can drive suitable development as well as social cohesion.
Increased Financial Stability
The SASSA grant increases provide more financial stability for beneficiaries. With higher grants, individuals and families can better manage their basic needs, such as food and healthcare. This stability is crucial in combating poverty.
Boosting Economies
Disbursing multiple grants will increase the welfare projects in the local communities. The beneficiaries may spend the amount doing local business that can boost the local economy. Moreover, this spending gives us the opportunity to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Social Equity
Social equity is enhanced with the increasing number of grants. Financial support is provided to vulnerable people which reduces the disparities. It helps to foster a society that is more inclusive and promotes equity.
Reducing Poverty Levels
The poverty level is increasing worldwide, especially in South Africa. The grants play a vital role in reducing poverty. The more money you will give to the poor the more it helps to alleviate the financial hardships. Improving the quality of life for the poor people is necessary.
Economic Resilience
Economic resilience means that the beneficiaries can bear the uncertainties and economic shocks. The social grants by SASSA help to boost the economic stability of the country by helping the poor.
Consumer Spending
The consumers will spend more which will as a result benefit the economy of the country. They will buy the goods and services from the stores that can support the local business. The driving demand for the consumers for basic goods is essential to consider.
Long-term Benefits
The most vulnerable people in society are crucial to consider for a sustainable society. The government aims to benefit these people for a longer period of time. That is why these grants are provided for years on a monthly basis.
How To Apply For SASSA Increase 2024
The process of applying for the SASSA grant increase requires a basic understanding. For the new and existing applicants, we have a useful guide that has every possible aspect covered. You can read the steps below and apply for relevant grants.
Eligibility Check
Start by identifying which grant suits you most. For instance, the old people grant is for individuals who are 60 years old or above. The childcare grant is for children under 18 Years. Read the terms and conditions on the official website of SASSA for all these benefits.
Assemble Documents
Without wasting any time you should look for some documents that are essential. These are relevant to your personal information. A list of the most useful documents is provided as follows.
A South African national identity card, birth certificate, and proof of legal residency.
Proof of residency that requires utility bills such as for gas and electricity.
Medical reports for the care dependency grant and disability grants such as HIV. These reports are vital when you are having any kind of disability such as permanent or temporary.
Financial information that is the latest and helps you pass the mean test. The mean text is necessary for all types of grants but foster parents may be exempted from this test.
Death certificates, school attendance of a child, and divorce certificates from the court. These are some supplementary documents that are required in different cases.
All these documents have their own significance and importance. Most of these are required for all different types of grants. However, some grants may require additional documents that SASSA can demand at the time of the interview.
Applying Online
The people can apply on the online website of SASSA that is authorized. The website has a portal that can let you perform different tasks. You need to enter the South African ID card number and register yourself.
The users will then input the information that is asked on the portal for a specific grant. This information is already available on the different documents so you need to enter it carefully. In the end, upload the original photos of your official documents online and submit an application.
Visit Office
Visiting the SASSA office is the best and easiest way to apply. This process involves the same steps but most of them are manual. For instance, you will reach the SASSA office with the specified documents.
Take the form of a social grant and fill it out manually. Now submit the form to the concerned department and attach copies of the documents. The people need to consider the working hours of the SASSA office which will help them process the application on time.
Wait For Decision
The final step is to wait for the decision or outcome. The SASSA will announce the decision after a few days. It will review all the details in the application and match them with the documents. If they find everything correct and eligible, then the grant will be approved.
In this way, all the recipients who are eligible can receive the grants with the increased amount for the year 2024. This amount will be disbursed in the bank accounts or you can collect it from the pay points suggested by SASSA.
Considering Inflation and Social Security Policy Review
The increase in the grants aims to mitigate the high cost of living and inflation rate for South African citizens. The data from January 2023 to January 2024 determine the inflation rate of 5.3 percent. This data provides insights to tackle the challenge of balancing needs.
The government has decided to continue the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. This grant was actually R350 in the past. It is now extended and the benefits are now receiving R370 from April 2024.
All the beneficiaries of SASSA can apply for this grant even if they are receiving other benefits from the same organization. This SRD grant is extended up to March 2025. Moreover, different loan programs and other benefits are awaiting that are determined by the government.
Conclusion
The increase in the SASSA grants starts from R20 and goes up to R90. The increments are different for the various social benefits. The highest paid amount is R2200 which is for the War Veterans. For the old age and disability grant the total amount is R2180.
This increment starts from the month of April 2024. An expected increment is coming for the month of October. The government is also taking initiatives to improve the economy of the country.
They have invested a significant amount of money in the social sector. The people who are curious to get the excessive benefits offered by SASSA can apply for the grants on their website.
