On Wednesday afternoon, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana addressed the public to present the 2024 Budget Speech, during which he disclosed the Sassa grant increases for the upcoming year.
A total of R387.3 billion will be spent Social Development. This includes R107 billion for the old-age grant, R89 billion for social security funds, R85.8 billion for child support grants and R73.4 billion for other grants.
Sassa Grant Increases
The Finance Minister said that to keep up with inflation and increase access, Sassa grants will be increased. Godongwana announced the following Sassa grant increases:
| Grant | April Increase | October Increase |
| Old Age (under 75 years old) | R90 | R10 |
| Old Age (over 75 years old) | R90 | R10 |
| Child Support | R20 | - |
| Disability | R90 | R10 |
| Foster Care | R50 | - |
| War Veterans | R90 | R10 |
| Care Dependency | R90 | R10 |
| Child Support Grant Top-Up | R10 | R10 |
Godongwana unfortunately did not announce any increase for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The SRD grant payment currently remains at the value of R350 per month.
We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet. In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows.
National Treasury expects that grant beneficiaries, excluding those receiving the COVID‐19 SRD Grant, are projected to increase from 18.8 million in 2023/24 to 19.7 million in 2026/27.
Why Hasn't The R350 Grant Been Increased?
According to the Department of Social Development, the lack of an increase is due to "fiscal constraints." Despite the department's request to the National Treasury for an increase, it was not favourably considered due to these fiscal constraints.
Both the Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, and Brenda Sibeko, the Deputy Director-General at the department, have expressed their desire for an increase in the SRD grant.
