Millions of people benefit from monthly social grant payments from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa). More than 18 million people benefit from permanent social grants and an additional 8 million benefit from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD).
Permanent grants distributed by Sassa include the Older Persons pension grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant, Care Dependency grant, Foster Child grant, Child Support grant, Child Support grant Top-Up and Grant-in-aid. During the annual budget speech, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced grant payment value adjustments. These adjustments are small increases to protect the value of grants against inflation.
The first Sassa increase in social grant payments for 2024 was implemented in April 2024 while the second increase was implemented in October.
October 2024 saw R10 increases for the Older Persons Grants, Disability Grants, War Veterans Grant And The Child Support Grant Top-Up.
Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi says the agency's mandate is to manage the distribution of grants. Sassa is not responsible for policy decisions concerning the monetary increases in social grants.
The mandate of the South African Social Security Agency is to administer the distribution of grants. The issue of policy lies squarely within the Department of Social Development and in terms of the budget, it lies with National Treasury.
Criticism has been levelled at the agency due to an increase of just R10. Letsatsi explains that when an extra R10 is paid to millions of people, it tallies up.
The budget for Social Grants is R265 billion. This is the amount which then gets allocated to the South African Social Security Agency but in my view I would simply say no amount of money is little money.
Here’s How Much Sassa Grants Will Be For October
- Older Persons grant - R2,190
- Older Persons (75 years and older) - R2,210
- Disability grant - R2,190
- War Veterans grant - R2,210
- Child Support Grant - R530
- Care Dependency grant - R2,190
- Foster Care grant - R1,180
- Child Support Grant - R530
- Child Support Grant Top-Up - R270
- Social Relief Of Distress - R370
Postbank recently launched the Mzansi Debit Card to provide affordable banking solutions to all South Africans. This new offering is available to beneficiaries of the Sassa grants.
Letsatsi said Sassa cards can be used in the same was as regular bank cards which beneficiaries can use to make purchases and payments at pay points around the country.
Where To Collect Sassa Grants
Sassa beneficiaries can choose to have their Sassa grant be paid directly to their bank account.
Sassa grant beneficiaries can also collect their Sassa social grants at several payment points. These payment points include ATMs and retail stores such as Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite and Boxer.
