The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced a R10 increase to several social grants, effective October 2024. This adjustment aims to help beneficiaries cope with rising inflation and maintain their standard of living.
Millions of South Africans rely on Sassa grants to meet their basic needs. The agency distributes a range of permanent grants, including the Older Persons pension, Disability, War Veterans, Care Dependency, Foster Child, Child Support, and Grant-in-aid.
The budget for Social Grants is R265 billion. This is the amount which then gets allocated to the South African Social Security Agency but in my view I would simply say no amount of money is little money.
Grants that received the R10 increase in October 2024 include:
- Older Persons Grants
- Disability Grants
- War Veterans Grants
- Child Support Grant Top-Up
Updated Sassa Grant Amounts
- Older Persons grant: R2,190
- Older Persons (75 years and older): R2,210
- Disability grant: R2,190
- War Veterans grant: R2,210
- Child Support Grant: R530
- Care Dependency grant: R2,190
- Foster Care grant: R1,180
- Child Support Grant Top-Up: R270
- Social Relief of Distress: R370
While the R10 increase may seem modest, it's important to remember that it affects millions of vulnerable South Africans. Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi emphasized that even a small amount can make a significant difference when multiplied by such a large number of beneficiaries.
Letsatsi clarified that Sassa is not responsible for determining the amount of grant increases. This follows criticism regarding the relatively low increase.
He explained that the agency's mandate is to manage the distribution of grants, while policy decisions regarding monetary increases lie with the Department of Social Development and National Treasury.
The mandate of the South African Social Security Agency is to administer the distribution of grants. The issue of policy lies squarely within the Department of Social Development and in terms of the budget, it lies with National Treasury.
Sassa remains committed to providing timely and secure grant payments to South Africans in need.