May, 21 2025
South Africa’s Social Grant Increases: What’s New in 2025?
The numbers are in and they’re big: South Africa’s social grants have gone up again as of April 2025, following a major announcement by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during his latest budget speech. Living expenses keep climbing, so these increases aim to soften the blow for millions who rely on monthly government support.
Let’s break down the new rates:
- SASSA Old Age Grant: R2,315, up from R2,185
- Disability Grant: R2,315, rising from R2,185
- Care Dependency Grant: now R2,315, also up from R2,185
- War Veterans Grant: R2,335, previously R2,205
- Foster Care Grant: R1,250, a R70 bump
- Child Support Grant: R560, up by R30
- Grant-in-Aid: matches Child Support Grant at R560
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, a temporary safety net that’s helped many weather tough times, holds steady at R370 per month. That’s still a lifeline, but not everyone is happy it hasn’t increased. The SRD administration alone gets a massive R35.2 billion, showing just how seriously the government treats this relief scheme.
Where the Money Is Going and Why
Backing all these changes is a social grants budget standing at R8.2 billion just for the latest increases, while the whole Department of Social Development will receive R422.3 billion for 2025/26. That’s expected to climb closer to R452.7 billion within three years—a clear recognition that the demand is going nowhere but up.
Why? For one, South Africa’s population is aging and unemployment remains stubbornly high. The government expects grant recipients to hit 19 million by the end of 2025/26, and that number could creep up to 19.3 million by 2027/28. With so many relying on this system, it now eats up 81% of the total social protection budget. In comparison to inflation, social grant spending has kept pace and then some, with the treasury noting its above-inflation average annual growth.
Minister Godongwana made it clear this system needs long-term fixes, not just annual bumps. With each new round of increases, there’s a push to make grants more efficient, better targeted, and sustainable for the future. While this year’s changes are a relief for those struggling with rising food prices and basic needs, the conversation about the future of social grants is just getting started.
For families across South Africa—from elderly pensioners and people living with disabilities to foster caregivers and millions of children—every extra rand feels essential. These grant increases don’t just balance the books, they put more food on the table and provide a cushion against the roughest spots in today’s economy.