Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stood before Parliament on 25 February 2026 and confirmed what 26.5 million grant beneficiaries had been waiting for: social grant increases effective from April. The increases are modest, tracking inflation at roughly 3.4%, but for households where every rand counts they represent real purchasing power. Here is the full breakdown, what it means for each grant type, and why the SRD staying at R370 has sparked fresh debate about social protection in South Africa.
The New Amounts from April 2026
The 2026 Budget Review released by National Treasury confirmed the following adjustments for the new financial year starting 1 April 2026. March payments will still reflect the old amounts.
| Grant Type | Current | April 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Person's (60-74) | R2,315 | R2,400 | +R85 |
| Older Person's (75+) | R2,335 | R2,420 | +R85 |
| War Veterans | R2,335 | R2,420 | +R85 |
| Disability | R2,315 | R2,400 | +R85 |
| Care Dependency | R2,315 | R2,400 | +R85 |
| Foster Care | R1,250 | R1,290 (Apr) / R1,300 (Oct) | +R40 / +R50 |
| Child Support | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| Grant-in-Aid | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| SRD (Social Relief of Distress) | R370 | R370 | R0 |
The Foster Care Grant is unique this year with a two-step increase: R40 in April (bringing it to R1,290) and an additional R10 in October (to R1,300). All other increases are single adjustments from April.
R292.8 Billion: Where the Money Goes
Government will spend R292.8 billion on social grants in 2026/27. This forms part of a broader social development budget that rises by 4.2% from R412.2 billion in 2025/26 to R466.4 billion by 2028/29. Social grants remain the single largest item in the social development ledger.
Excluding the SRD grant, core grant spending increases from R246.6 billion in 2025/26 to R276.5 billion in 2028/29. The SRD itself receives an additional R36.4 billion allocation to extend payments at R370 per month until 31 March 2027.
Social Wage Context
Basic education, health, and social protection make up 70.3% of the social wage in 2026/27. The social wage accounts for more than 60% of non-interest government spending over the medium term. For millions of families, grant payments are not abstract fiscal figures but the difference between food in the cupboard and empty shelves.
SRD Stays at R370: The Debate
Despite calls from civil society, labour unions, and several opposition parties, the SRD grant will not increase in 2026. It remains at R370 per month for approximately 8.2 million recipients. This has been one of the most contentious aspects of the budget.
Advocacy groups argue that R370 falls well below the food poverty line of R760 per person per month. Treasury, however, maintains that expanding the grant's value or eligibility would carry an enormous fiscal cost. Internal projections suggest expanding SRD to all 18 million eligible applicants and adjusting for inflation could cost as much as R93 billion annually, compared to the current R35 billion budget.
"This year, we will redesign the grant to more effectively support livelihoods, skills development, work opportunities and productive activity."
President Cyril Ramaphosa, SONA 2026 (13 February 2026)Ramaphosa's announcement at SONA 2026 signalled a significant shift. The SRD will transition from a temporary pandemic-era measure into a permanent programme tied to economic participation. The finer details, including the new name, eligibility rules, and potential amount changes, will be revealed at the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement later in 2026. Treasury has provisionally allocated R38 billion for 2027/28 and R39 billion for 2028/29, suggesting the programme will continue in some form.
The Biometric Crackdown: 34,661 Grants Cancelled
Running alongside the increases is a significant tightening of compliance. SASSA's allocation for 2025/26 was made conditional on the agency improving biometric and income verification. By December 2025, the results were dramatic.
Crackdown by the Numbers
6 million bank accounts checked. 8 million credit bureau records scanned. 291,581 beneficiaries flagged for review. 34,661 grants cancelled. 8,599 disability and old-age grants reduced under the income sliding scale. Projected savings: R170.7 million by end of 2025/26, with R3 billion in savings expected over the medium term.
All new applicants for all grant types must now undergo biometric verification, including fingerprint and facial recognition. SASSA CEO Themba Matlou confirmed the agency is working to connect beneficiaries with economic opportunities to support sustainable livelihoods.
The crackdown has not been without friction. SASSA offices in KwaZulu-Natal have been overwhelmed by beneficiaries seeking to resolve verification issues. In February 2026, approximately 70,000 grants were suspended pending review, creating widespread anxiety among vulnerable households.
What to Do if Your Grant is Suspended
Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document. Bring three months of bank statements and any supporting documents. Do not wait for a notification, as some beneficiaries report not receiving alerts before suspension. You can also call the toll-free helpline at 0800 60 10 11 to check your status.
When Will the New Amounts Start?
The increased amounts take effect from the start of the new financial year. The last payments at the old rates will be the March 2026 cycle, confirmed as follows: Older Persons on 3 March, Disability on 4 March, Children's Grants on 5 March, and SRD from 24 March onwards.
April 2026 payment dates have not yet been officially published. Based on previous years, expect Older Persons on or around 1 April, Disability on 2 April, and Children's Grants on 3 April. SASSA will confirm exact dates in March. SRD payments typically fall in the final week of the month.
No Action Needed
You do not need to reapply or visit a SASSA office for the increase. The new amounts will reflect automatically from April. Ensure your banking details and contact information are correct and up to date on the SASSA portal.
Looking Ahead: What Happens After March 2027?
The SRD grant is technically set to expire at the end of 2026/27. However, both Ramaphosa's SONA commitment and Treasury's provisional allocations for the outer years make it clear the programme will continue. The transition to a livelihoods-linked grant is expected to take shape over the coming months.
Stakeholders have raised concerns that linking the SRD to work-seeker activities or skills programmes could exclude some of the most vulnerable beneficiaries, including those in rural areas without access to training centres, and older unemployed individuals who fall outside the 18-35 youth focus of many government programmes.
For the 26.5 million South Africans who depend on social grants, the 2026 budget delivers incremental progress: small but above-inflation increases for core grants, continued funding for the SRD, and the promise of a more permanent social protection framework on the horizon. The details of that framework, and whether it truly serves those who need it most, will be the defining social policy debate of the year ahead.