VerifiedSASSA paid the higher social grant amounts announced in the February 2026 Budget from the April 2026 payment run. Beneficiaries did not have to apply for the increase.
Grant amounts from April 2026
| Grant | Before (2025/26) | From April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Older persons (60 to 74) | R2,315 | R2,400 |
| Older persons (75 and older) | R2,335 | R2,420 |
| Disability | R2,315 | R2,400 |
| Care dependency | R2,315 | R2,400 |
| War veterans | R2,335 | R2,420 |
| Foster child | R1,250 | R1,290, then R1,300 from October 2026 |
| Child support | R560 | R580 |
| Grant-in-aid | R560 | R580 |
| Social Relief of Distress (SRD) | R370 | R370 (unchanged) |
Government allocated R292.8 billion to social grants for 2026/27. The foster child grant is the only grant with a second step in October 2026.
If your payment did not go up
- Check the grant type: the SRD grant was not increased, so R370 is still correct.
- If you receive a foster child grant, the second step to R1,300 only applies from October 2026.
- If your amount is still wrong, call SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 with your ID number.
The means test moved with the increase
Income limits for the child support and care dependency grants are set at ten times the grant, so they rose in April too: R5,800 a month for a single child support grant caregiver and R24,000 a month for a single care dependency grant caregiver. Some people who did not qualify before may qualify now.
How the increases are paid
- Into beneficiaries’ own bank accounts.
- Through Postbank black cards, usable at ATMs and at till points in stores such as Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar.
- On the normal grant dates in the 2026/27 payment calendar.
Beware of false increase messages
Messages about extra payments or “new” grants often circulate on social media. Check any news against SASSA’s official channels. Questions: call 0800 60 10 11 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 2026 SASSA grant increases start?
With the April 2026 payment run, from 2 April 2026 for older persons grants.
Is there another SASSA increase in October 2026?
Only the foster child grant rises again in October 2026, from R1,290 to R1,300. The other grants stay at their April amounts.