During the 2023 State of Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that permanent social grants distributed by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will be increased.
The president explained that the increase in social grants forms part of the government's effort to mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living in South Africa.
Ramaphosa said, “We will ensure that existing social grants are increased to cushion the poor against rising inflation.”
Permanent grants distributed by Sassa include the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support grant, Foster Care Grant, Grant in Aid, War Veterans Grant, and the Care Dependency grant.
When Will The Sassa Grant Increases Be Announced?
During the SONA address, the president said the details of government spending on grants will be set out in the budget by the Minister of Finance.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwna is set to deliver the 2023 National Budget Speech on 22 February 2023.
Ramaphosa also revealed more than 25 million people receive some form of income support. The cost of this social support is equivalent to around 60% of the country’s budget.
The president said, “Around 60% of our budget is spent on what is known as the social wage, providing various forms of support, basic services and assistance to households and individuals to combat poverty and hunger.
Around two million households currently receive free basic water, free basic electricity and free solid waste removal as part of this support.
