UPDATED: October 2024 SASSA grant increases announced

SASSA grants for October 2024, distributed by the South African Social Security Agency, will see an increase next month.

As approved by the National Treasury in Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech back in February, October 2024 SASSA grants will enjoy their final increase of the year, before government grants are renegotiated for the end of March 2025 and beyond.

OCTOBER 2024 SASSA GRANTS

As The South African reported earlier this month, October 2024 SASSA grants are set for a nominal increase, but not everyone will benefit, nor is everyone pleased with the amount. Dates for the next SASSA Older Persons Grant payment are Wednesday 2 October 2024. Disability and War Veterans SASSA Grants will see their increase come into effect on Thursday 3 October 2024. And SASSA Childcare Dependency Grants will go up on Friday 4 October 2024.

Although criticised for being nominal, here’s how much October 2024 SASSA grants will increase:

• From next week onwards, SASSA Old-Age Grants (aged 60 to 74) will receive R10 extra, pushing the total amount to R2 190. This equates to a R100 (4.8% increase) over the full year.
• SASSA pensioners aged 75 and older will also see October 2024 SASSA grants increase by R10 to R2 210. Likewise, this adds up to a R100 increase (4.8% total) for the year.
• SASSA Disability grants will increase by R10 to R2 190, as do SASSA Child Care Dependency grants, which is basically disability care for children (under the age of 18).
• Likewise, the same R10 bump up to R2 190 applies to SASSA War Veterans grants.

NO LOVE FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND SRD

According to the latest statistical info from SASSA recorded earlier this year, 4-million residents receive Older Persons grants, 1 million benefit from Disability grants and just over 165 000 get Child Care Dependency support. Sadly, for the more than 13-million Child Support beneficiaries and quarter-of-a-million Foster Care recipients, October 2024 SASSA grants will not increase.  

Following their previous increase in April 2024, the following government stipends stay the same in October:

• SASSA Child Support stays at R530.
• As does Child Support Top Up of R250.
• SASSA Foster Care remains unchanged at R1 180.
• SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) remains unchanged at R370.

WHEN WILL GRANTS INCREASE AGAIN?

Following the long-awaited and perhaps underwhelming increase to October 2024 SASSA grants, what comes next? Well, the National Treasury is expected to release updated social welfare budgets shortly, including an anticipated extension to Social Relief of Distress (SRD) beyond March 2025, but with zero increase likely.

Therefore, based on previous years, the next SASSA increase will take place in April 2025. And we anticipate little more than a 5% increase across the board, which should equate to an additional R100 in 2025. While unconfirmed, if this is the case, SASSA grants by October 2025 could look like so:

• SASSA Older Persons Grants (75 and older): R2 310
• SASSA Older Persons Grants (aged 60 to 74): R2 290
• SASSA Disability Grants: R2 290
• SASSA Child Care Dependency Grants: R2 290
• SASSA War Veterans Grants: R2 290
• SASSA Foster Care Grants: R1 280
• SASSA Child Support Grants: R600
• SASSA Child Support Top Up: R300
• SASSA SRD: R370

*Note that these are still unconfirmed by the agency.

HOW TO CONTACT SASSA

For any online applications you can visit the new SASSA online services portal. For payment queries and other information you contact SASSA directly:

• SASSA Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11
• SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322
• Email SASSA: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
• Or email: president@presidency.gov.za

Take note of payment dates for October 2024 SASSA grants and beyond:

OCTOBER 2024

• Older Persons Grants: Wednesday 2 October 2024.
• Disability Grants: Thursday 3 October 2024.
• Children’s Grants: Friday 4 October 2024.

NOVEMBER 2024

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 5 November 2024.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 6 November 2024.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 7 November 2024.

DECEMBER 2024

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 3 December 2024.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 4 December 2024.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 5 December 2024.

JANUARY 2025

• Older Persons Grants: Friday 3 January 2025.
• Disability Grants: Monday 6 January 2025.
• Children’s Grants: Tuesday 7 January 2025.

FEBRUARY 2025

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 4 February 2025.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 5 February 2025.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 6 February 2025.

MARCH 2025

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 4 March 2025.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 5 March 2025.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 6 March 2025.

*The agency reminds beneficiaries that payments may take 2-3 days to reflect in your bank account.