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SASSA Grant Increases April 2026 - New Amounts Confirmed

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The February 2026 National Budget Speech confirmed the annual increases for all SASSA social grants. Effective 1 April 2026, millions of South African beneficiaries will see higher payments in their accounts. Here is a complete breakdown of every grant, showing the old amount, new amount, and the exact rand increase.

Key Highlights

  • -Older Persons, Disability, and Care Dependency grants increase by R85 to R2,400/month
  • -Child Support Grant increases by R20 to R580/month
  • -Foster Child Grant increases by R45 to R1,295/month (R1,310 from October)
  • -SRD R370 Grant remains at R370/month (no increase)
  • -All increases are automatic - no action needed from beneficiaries

All SASSA Grant Amounts - April 2026

The table below shows the complete list of all eight SASSA grants, their previous amounts (before April 2026), the new amounts effective from 1 April 2026, and the monthly increase in rands.

Grant TypeOld AmountNew AmountIncrease
Older Persons GrantR2,315R2,400+R85
(Over 75 years)R2,335R2,420+R85
War Veterans GrantR2,335R2,420+R85
Disability GrantR2,315R2,400+R85
Care Dependency GrantR2,315R2,400+R85
Foster Child GrantR1,250R1,295*+R45
Child Support GrantR560R580+R20
Grant-in-AidR560R580+R20
SRD R370 GrantR370R370No change

* The Foster Child Grant increases to R1,310 from 1 October 2026.

Detailed Breakdown by Grant Type

Older Persons Grant (Old Age Grant)

The Older Persons Grant is the largest social grant by number of beneficiaries. From April 2026, beneficiaries aged 60 to 74 will receive R2,400 per month, up from R2,315. Those aged 75 and older receive a slightly higher amount of R2,420 per month, up from R2,335. The R85 increase applies to both tiers and represents an approximate 3.7% adjustment.

More details: Older Persons Grant - Full Guide

Disability Grant

The Disability Grant increases by R85 to R2,400 per month. This grant is available to South African citizens and permanent residents aged 18 to 59 who have been medically assessed as having a disability that prevents them from working. Both temporary and permanent disability grants receive the same increase.

More details: Disability Grant - Full Guide

War Veterans Grant

The War Veterans Grant increases by R85 to R2,420 per month. This is the highest-paying individual grant and is available to veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, or the Zulu uprising. While the number of beneficiaries is small and declining, the grant continues to receive annual increases.

More details: War Veterans Grant - Full Guide

Care Dependency Grant

The Care Dependency Grant increases by R85 to R2,400 per month. This grant supports parents and caregivers of children under 18 who have severe disabilities requiring full-time care. The higher amount recognises the significant costs involved in caring for a child with special needs.

More details: Care Dependency Grant - Full Guide

Foster Child Grant

The Foster Child Grant has a two-stage increase in 2026. From April, it increases by R45 to R1,295 per month. A second increase takes effect from 1 October 2026, bringing the amount to R1,310 per month. This two-stage approach was introduced to manage the fiscal impact while still providing meaningful support to foster families.

More details: Foster Child Grant - Full Guide

Child Support Grant

The Child Support Grant, which reaches the most beneficiaries of any SASSA grant (over 13 million children), increases by R20 to R580 per month. While the rand increase appears modest, the sheer number of beneficiaries makes this one of the most expensive line items in the social grants budget. The increase represents approximately a 3.6% adjustment.

More details: Child Support Grant - Full Guide

Grant-in-Aid

The Grant-in-Aid increases by R20 to R580 per month. This supplementary grant is paid in addition to the primary grant (such as the Older Persons or Disability Grant) to beneficiaries who require regular care from another person. The total combined amount for someone receiving the Older Persons Grant plus Grant-in-Aid would be R2,980 per month.

More details: Grant-in-Aid - Full Guide

SRD R370 Grant - No Increase

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant remains unchanged at R370 per month. As a temporary measure, the SRD grant does not follow the same annual increase pattern as permanent social grants. The grant has been extended to March 2027 with a budget allocation of R36.4 billion. After March 2027, it is expected to be replaced by the permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant.

More details: SRD R370 Grant - Full Guide | SRD Extension to March 2027 | BIS Grant Information

What You Need to Do

The short answer is: nothing. All grant increases are applied automatically by SASSA. You do not need to visit a SASSA office, submit any forms, or make any phone calls. Your April 2026 payment will reflect the new, higher amount.

However, make sure that your banking details are up to date and that your phone number is correct on the SASSA system. This ensures you receive your payment without any issues.

Budget Context

The social grants budget remains one of the largest expenditure items in South Africa's national budget. The 2026/27 budget allocates over R270 billion for social assistance, covering all grant types. This includes R36.4 billion specifically for the SRD R370 grant extension through to March 2027.

The annual adjustments to grant amounts are calculated based on inflation and the available fiscal space. While the increases help offset rising living costs, social organisations continue to advocate for larger increases, particularly for the Child Support Grant and the SRD grant, arguing that current amounts fall below the food poverty line of approximately R760 per person per month.

For more information about when you can expect your increased payment, see our SASSA payment dates schedule or the April 2026 payment dates.

Disclaimer: MySASSA is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. The grant amounts listed above are based on the February 2026 National Budget Speech. For official SASSA services, always use www.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the new SASSA grant amounts take effect?
The new SASSA grant amounts take effect on 1 April 2026. Your first payment at the new rate will be in April 2026, paid according to the normal SASSA payment schedule.
Do I need to apply again to get the increased amount?
No. If you are already receiving a SASSA grant, the increase is applied automatically. You do not need to reapply, visit a SASSA office, or take any action. Your grant will simply be paid at the new, higher amount from April 2026.
Why did the SRD R370 grant not increase?
The SRD R370 grant remains at R370 per month. Unlike the other social grants which are adjusted annually for inflation, the SRD grant is a temporary relief measure with a fixed amount. Government has allocated R36.4 billion to extend the SRD grant to March 2027 at the current amount of R370.
How much did the Older Persons Grant increase by?
The Older Persons Grant increased by R85 per month, from R2,315 to R2,400. Beneficiaries aged 75 and older receive R2,420 per month, also an increase of R85 from the previous R2,335.
Will there be another grant increase in October 2026?
The Foster Child Grant has a second increase scheduled for October 2026, rising from R1,295 to R1,310. This is the only grant with a mid-year adjustment. All other grants will remain at their April 2026 amounts until the next annual increase in April 2027.
Where were the new grant amounts announced?
The new grant amounts were announced by the Minister of Finance during the February 2026 National Budget Speech. The increases are part of the government's annual adjustment to social grants to help offset the effects of inflation on beneficiaries.

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