Social Grants
By Lerato Mpembe
In the 2025 Budget Speech delivered on 12 March 2025, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that all social grants, excluding the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, will receive above-inflation increases effective from April 2025. This move aims to provide enhanced support to vulnerable populations amid rising living costs.
Detailed Grant Increases:
• Old Age Grant: An increase of R130, raising the monthly payment from R2,185 to R2,315.
• War Veterans Grant: An increase of R130, bringing the monthly payment to R2,335.
• Disability Grant: An increase of R130, elevating the monthly payment from R2,185 to R2,315.
• Foster Care Grant: An increase of R70, resulting in a new monthly payment of R1,250.
• Care Dependency Grant: An increase of R130, adjusting the monthly payment from R2,185 to R2,315.
• Child Support Grant: An increase of R30, bringing the monthly payment from R530 to R560.
• Grant-in-Aid: An increase of R30, raising the monthly payment from R530 to R560.
These adjustments represent a 5.9% increase, surpassing the current inflation rate of 3.2% as of January 2025. 
Budget Allocations:
For the fiscal year 2025/26, the government has allocated R284.7 billion to social grants. This allocation reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing poverty and inequality while maintaining fiscal sustainability.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant:
The SRD grant, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended for another year, until March 2026. An additional R35.2 billion has been set aside for this purpose. The future of the SRD grant will be determined based on the outcomes of a review of active labor market programs, expected to be completed by September 2025. 
Beneficiary Projections:
The number of social grant beneficiaries, excluding SRD recipients, is projected to rise to approximately 19 million in 2025/26 and 19.3 million in 2027/28, primarily due to a growing population of older persons. 
Government’s Stance:
Minister Godongwana emphasized that South Africa’s social safety net is among the most comprehensive in emerging economies, reflecting a commitment to addressing poverty and inequality while ensuring sustainable spending.
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