The official announcement regarding the SASSA grant increases for 2025 has provided much-needed relief to millions of social-welfare recipients across South Africa.
The confirmation came during Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget Speech on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. After weeks of uncertainty following the postponed February Budget Speech, the clarity has been welcomed by those who rely on these grants.
Key Challenges Faced by SASSA in Recent Months
Over the past few months, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has been battling multiple challenges, including the ongoing Postbank card-swap debacle, a High Court ruling on the SRD grant, rampant identity theft, and the absence of a stable leadership team following the suspension of its CEO.
These issues have caused considerable distress among the country’s most vulnerable residents, who were left in limbo awaiting the official announcement on grant increases.
What Are the Official SASSA Grant Increases for 2025?
Despite the hurdles, Minister Godongwana revealed that the SASSA grants for 2025 will receive an increase of between 5.7% to 5.9%, which is higher than the 4.9% increase in 2024. This rise is intended to combat the 0.5% VAT increase and ensure that the grants can keep up with inflation.
Detailed Breakdown of the SASSA Grant Increases
The SASSA Older Persons Grant will see an additional R130 from April 2025. Specifically, those aged between 60 and 74 will receive R2,315, while those over 75 will receive R2,335. Similarly, War Veterans, Disability, and Care Dependency grants will also be increased by R130, bringing the total to R2,315 for the remainder of the year.
While Older Persons Grants are the most significant and impactful for South Africa’s most vulnerable population, the 2025 increase will also benefit those receiving Childcare Grants, Disability Grants, and support for War Veterans.
Childcare and Disability Grants for 2025
Childcare Grants, which are the largest grant program in the country, benefiting approximately 13 million recipients, will increase by R30, from R530 to R560, starting in April 2025. Foster Care Grants, which currently stand at R1,180, will rise by R50, bringing the new amount to R1,230.
All 2025 SASSA Grant Increases
| Grant Type | Old Amount | New Amount | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Persons (60-74) | R2,185 | R2,315 | R130 |
| Older Persons (75 and up) | R2,205 | R2,335 | R130 |
| War Veterans | R2,185 | R2,315 | R130 |
| Disability Grants | R2,185 | R2,315 | R130 |
| Care Dependency Grants | R2,185 | R2,315 | R130 |
| Child Support Grants | R530 | R560 | R30 |
| Foster Care Grants | R1,180 | R1,230 | R50 |
When Will the Increases Be Paid?
Although the SASSA grant increases for 2025 have been confirmed, the payment dates for April have yet to be officially announced. However, based on previous patterns, the expected dates for the first week of April are as follows:
- Older Persons Grants: Tuesday, 1 April 2025
- Disability Grants: Wednesday, 2 April 2025
- Children’s Grants: Thursday, 3 April 2025
Ongoing Issues with Postbank Migration
While the SASSA grant increases for 2025 bring relief, there are still concerns surrounding the ongoing Postbank card swap. Officials recently admitted that out of about 3 million Postbank clients, only 1.9 million have successfully migrated their accounts from the old gold cards to the new black cards.
As of now, only 900,000 accounts have been secured, representing just 30% of the total. This migration needs to be completed within a week, or the old cards will stop functioning, preventing users from accessing their funds.
The announcement of the official SASSA grant increases for 2025 has finally provided the much-needed clarity and reassurance for millions of South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens. With the increases set to cover Older Persons Grants, Child Support Grants, Disability Grants, and more, recipients can look forward to increased support in the coming year. However, ongoing issues like the Postbank card swap remain a concern that will need urgent attention.
FAQs
When will the new SASSA grant increases take effect?
The increases will be implemented in April 2025, with payments starting on April 1st for Older Persons Grants, April 2nd for Disability Grants, and April 3rd for Children’s Grants.
How much will the Older Persons Grant increase by in 2025?
The Older Persons Grant will increase by R130, making the new amount R2,315 for those aged 60-74 and R2,335 for those over 75.
How much is the increase for Child Support Grants?
The Child Support Grant will rise by R30, from R530 to R560.
Are there any issues with the new Postbank cards?
Yes, there is an ongoing issue with the Postbank card migration. Many users still need to swap their old gold cards for the new black cards in order to continue accessing their funds.
