SASSA welcomes increases announced in budget speech

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has welcomed the increases to social grants announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, saying it reaffirmed governments commitment to uplifting those in need.

Godongwana announced the increases during the budget speech delivered in Cape Town on Wednesday.

SASSA GRANT INCREASES EFFECTIVE IN APIL AND OCTOBER

An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants will be implemented, this amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October. 

An additional R50 increase to the foster care grant; and a R20 increase to the child support grant will also be implemented.

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“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,” he said.

In the expanded Budget 2024 review, the National Treasury explained that social grant expenditure, excluding the SRD grant – will increase from R217.1 billion in 2023/24 to R259.3 billion in 2026/27.

The Covid‐19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant is allocated R33.6 billion in 2024/25 with provisional allocations for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

Sassa spokesperson in the Western Cape Shivani Wahab said they welcome the increases.

“Social grants are a lifeline to millions of unemployed South Africans. Sassa welcomes the increases to social grants, as announced by the Minister of Finance in his budget speech. This reaffirms governments commitment to uplifting those in need,” she said.

PLANS TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL RELIEF OF DISTRESS (SRD) GRANT UNDERWAY

Godongwana said plans to improve the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant were also underway. 

“Work is currently underway to improve the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year. The National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development (SRD) in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations.

These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework. For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised,” he said. 

A further R61.4 billion is allocated for employment programmes over the medium term.