Leaps in social grant increases were instituted by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in April 2025 to provide better financial assistance to millions of beneficiaries suffering the brunt of rising living costs. These changes are in pursuance of the government’s continuing attempt to combat poverty and support vulnerable persons.
April 2025 SASSA Grant-increases At-a-glance
Several other grant increases were approved by SASSA effective from the 1st of April 2025 to allow the beneficiaries to cope with inflation and the cost-of-living pressures.
For persons aged 60-74 years, Older Persons Grant provides an extra R130; thus, now the monthly grant is R2,315. For persons aged 75 years and above, the Older Persons Grant received R135 in extra pay, which takes the current amount available to any those beneficiaries at R2,335 per month.
The Disability Grant gives R130 extra to beneficiaries, making the amount payable R2,315 per month. The War Veterans Grant and Care Dependency Grant were also increased by R130 to one payment of R2,315 per month.
Child Support Grant received a R30 increase to R560 monthly. The Foster Care Grant received R70 more, bringing it to R1,250 monthly.
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant was increased from R350, which had been stagnant for so long, by R20 to R370 monthly.
These increases aimed to cushion beneficiaries against inflation and the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).
Payment Dates for April 2025
According to SASSA, the payment dates for April 2025 were as follows:
Older Persons Grant was dispersed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, while the Disability Grant was paid on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5 saw the disbursal of the Children’s Grant.
Beneficiaries are warned to plan accordingly and collect their grants on the stipulated dates.
Additional increase scheduled for October 2025
Added grants will be set to increase in October 2025.
The Older Persons Grant for people aged 60-74 will be increased by R10 to R2,325 every month, while it will also increase by R10 to R2,345 for those 75 and older. The Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, and Care Dependency Grant will also each be assigned another R10 increasing for R2,325.
The Child Support and Foster Care Grants will not receive this additional increase in October.
Elucidation of “Double Grant Payments.”
“Double grant payments” are terms that can be confusing. To be specific, beneficiaries are not receiving two grants in April 2025. Rather, in lieu of the scheduled increase for a certain number of grants, there are two increases: one in April and another scheduled for October. The purpose of this is to increase the financial support of the beneficiaries progressively throughout the year.
Fixing the Gap between Announced and Implemented Grant Increases
In some cases, the announced increases have not been implemented. For example, Treasury projected in its original budget a very high increase that would never be matched by SASSA. This has led to public concern and disappointment among civil society groups since it was adjustment based on balancing increased social support with the country’s fiscal constraints.
SASSA Gold Card Transition
All beneficiaries on the SASSA gold card will now transition to the Postbank Black Card. The new deadline for switching over was 20 March 2025, but a grace period is now extended until June. During this period, beneficiaries can open the new card to keep being able to access their grants.
Conclusion
April 2025 saw the implementation of grant increases-the proof of the government’s belief and support for vulnerable populations during difficult economic swathes. Beneficiaries are urged to keep track of the pay dates, understand the increase in details, and effect any necessary transition, like that of cards, to ensure smooth and seamless access to their grants.