In a bid to alleviate the financial strain faced by millions of South Africans grappling with the increasing cost of living, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced significant expenditure on social grants.
With nearly 19 million citizens relying on these grants to meet their basic needs, the South African government underscored its commitment to providing essential support within the constraints of the country’s fiscal health.
Social grants distributed by Sassa include the Older Persons pension grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant, Care Dependency grant, Foster Child grant, Child Support grant, Child Support grant Top-Up and Grant-in-aid.
How Much Government Will Spend On Grants
- Old-age grant: R107.0 billion
- Social security funds: R89.0 billion
- Child-support grant: R85.8 billion
- Other grants: R73.4 billion
- Provincial social development: R22.0 billion
- Policy oversight and grant administration: R10.1 billion
To keep pace with inflation and increase access, permanent social grants were increased.
- An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October
- A R50 increase to the foster care grant; and
- A R20 increase to the child support grant.
The Finance Minister revealed that work is currently underway to improve the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year. The National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development to ensure that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations.
These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework. For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised.
