In 2024, United South Africa (USA) leader Riyad Isaacs submitted the petition to the Minister of Social Development on behalf of more than 50,000 pensioners in the Western Cape. Isaacs also wrote an open letter to both the Social Development Minister and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, highlighting the financial difficulties pensioners face—often having to choose between paying rent or buying food as entire households depend on a single grant.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by older persons, the DSD explained that increasing the Older Persons Grant to R5,000 is not financially sustainable.
Currently, approximately 19 million South Africans receive social grants. The government has allocated R284.7 billion for social grants for the 2025/26 financial year. Of these beneficiaries, 4.1 million are older persons who receive R2,315 per month (ages 60–74) or R2,330 per month (ages 75 and older).
The DSD stated that increasing the grant to R5,000 for all 4.1 million pensioners would cost the government R246 billion—almost the entirety of the current social grants budget.
DSD Defends Older Persons Grant Value
According to the department, the value of the Older Persons Grant has increased steadily over the past decade—from R1,350 in 2014 to R2,310 in April 2025, with a further rise to R2,320 scheduled for October 2025. It also receives the second-largest allocation among all social grants and provides the highest individual payment.
While the government aims to adjust grants in line with inflation, fiscal constraints have occasionally resulted in below-inflation increases. Nevertheless, the DSD noted that the grant's value has consistently remained above the Food Poverty Line, the Lower Bound Poverty Line, and the Upper Bound Poverty Line for the past seven years.
South Africa follows a developmental social welfare model that provides more than just financial support. Vulnerable older persons also benefit from subsidised basic services, including shelter, water, sanitation, energy for low-income households, and access to primary healthcare.
