REMINDER | How much SASSA grant recipients will be paid THIS week

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will begin paying out March social grants this week, with revised grant amounts coming into effect as part of government’s annual social assistance adjustments.

This is according to the 2026 Budget Review released by National Treasury last week.

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March 2026 Payment Dates

• Older Persons Grant: Tuesday, 3 March
• Disability Grant: Wednesday, 4 March
• Children’s Grants: Thursday, 5 March

Beneficiaries are reminded that once funds are paid into their accounts, they do not need to withdraw the money immediately, as it will remain available.

Confirmed Grant Increases

SASSA has announced the following increases:

• Old Age Grant: R2 315 → R2 400
• War Veterans Grant: R2 335 → R2 420
• Disability Grant: R2 315 → R2 400
• Foster Care Grant: R1 250 → R1 295
• Care Dependency Grant: R2 315 → R2 400
• Child Support Grant: R560 → R580
• Grant-in-Aid: R560 → R580

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will remain at R370, with payments extended until next year.

Background to the Increases

Social grant increases are typically announced during the annual National Budget to help vulnerable households keep pace with rising living costs, including food, electricity and transport.

South Africa’s social assistance programme is one of the largest on the continent, supporting more than 18 million beneficiaries each month.

The majority of recipients are children and older persons, making grant adjustments a critical intervention in reducing poverty and cushioning low-income households against inflationary pressures.

Government has consistently stated that social grants form a key pillar of the country’s social wage, alongside free basic services, no-fee schools and public healthcare.

The increases come amid ongoing economic strain on households, with higher food prices and cost-of-living pressures continuing to affect millions of South Africans.

SASSA has urged beneficiaries to rely only on official communication platforms for accurate information regarding payment dates and grant adjustments.