SASSA Grants to Increase in October 2024

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed that certain grants will increase in October 2024. While the increase is small, it provides much-needed financial support to beneficiaries. This article explores The SASSA grants to increase in October and by how much.

Overview of the SASSA Grants to Increase in October

Several social grants will see an increase of R10 in October 2024. Although the increase is minimal, it will benefit certain grant categories, as mandated by the Department of Social Development. Unfortunately, not all grants will be affected by this adjustment.

Here’s a summary of the SASSA grants to increase in October:

Grant Type	Current Amount	New Amount (Oct 2024)
Care Dependency Grant	R2,180	R2,190
Disability Grant	R2,180	R2,190
Grant-In-Aid	R510	R520
Old Age Grant (60-74 years)	R2,180	R2,190
Old Age Grant (75+ years)	R2,200	R2,210
War Veteran’s Grant	R2,180	R2,190

Payment Dates for the SASSA Grants to Increase in October

If you receive any of the grants that are set to increase, here are the payment dates for October 2024:

Older Persons Grant: Wednesday, 2 October 2024
Disability Grant and War Veterans Grant: Thursday, 3 October 2024
Care Dependency Grant and others: Friday, 4 October 2024

Who Benefits from the SASSA Grants Increase in October?

The SASSA grants to increase in October will primarily benefit elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and those receiving care dependency support. However, it’s important to note that the Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant will not be increased at this time.

SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi has confirmed that the current regulations do not allow for an increase in all grant types, which is why these specific grants were chosen for the R10 rise.

No Increase for SRD and Child Support Grants

Unfortunately, recipients of the SRD Grant and Child Support Grant will not see any increase in October 2024. These grants will remain at their current amounts:

Child Support Grant: R530
SRD Grant: R370

What’s Next for SASSA Grants After October?

While the SASSA grants to increase in October offer some short-term relief, beneficiaries are already looking ahead to 2025. Historically, grant increases are reviewed and adjusted again in April, with an expected 5% rise across most categories.

Here’s a projection of what SASSA grants could look like by October 2025:

Grant Type	Projected Amount (Oct 2025)
Older Persons Grant (75+ years)	R2,310
Older Persons Grant (60-74 years)	R2,290
Disability Grant	R2,290
Care Dependency Grant	R2,290
War Veteran’s Grant	R2,290
Foster Care Grant	R1,280
Child Support Grant	R600
SRD Grant	R370

Advocacy for Larger Increases

Many organizations and advocates for social welfare have called for more substantial increases to SASSA grants. They argue that the current grant amounts, even with the R10 increase, are still not enough to cover the real cost of living for many South Africans.

For example, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, which was introduced as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains at R370 per month. This amount is widely seen as insufficient, especially for those who are unemployed and rely solely on this grant for survival.

Advocates have also been pushing for a Basic Income Grant, which would provide a more sustainable and reliable form of income for those in need. While this idea has been discussed by the government, it has yet to be implemented. In the meantime, SASSA continues to adjust existing grants based on available resources and government budgets.

Final Thoughts on the SASSA Grants Increase

The SASSA grants to increase in October will provide some relief to millions of South Africans, particularly elderly people and those living with disabilities. While the R10 increase may not meet all their financial needs, it is a step in the right direction as the government continues to evaluate and adjust social grants. As we look ahead to April 2025, many will be hoping for larger increases that better reflect the rising cost of living. Until then, the small October 2024 adjustment will provide a little more help to those who need it most.