What is the government’s new stance on SASSA grants?
Here’s what to expect from the new Minister when it comes to August 2024 SASSA grants being disbursed to 24-million beneficiaries.
Following the conclusion of protracted GNU negotiations and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new 77-member Cabinet announcement, what can we expect from August 2024 SASSA grants? Firstly, there is a new Minister of Social Development – Sisisi Tolashe. And while it’s not clear what her academic qualifications in social welfare are, she is President of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), so we anticipate she will be sympathetic to the needs of mothers with young children and SASSA Childcare grants.
Anyone familiar with South African Social Security Agency welfare knows SASSA grants increased below inflation by 4.8% back in April 2024. Likewise, the majority of them are set for nominal R10 increase again in October 2024. At the same time, the Department of Social Development has initiated controversial biometric verification for Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants. This is meant to put a stop to fraud and corruption of the R370 stipend. However, many needy recipients are now unable to access the SASSA SRD portal if they do not have smartphones or access to the internet.
AUGUST 2024 SASSA GRANTS
This month’s remaining 2024 SASSA Childcare grants are paid today (Thursday 4 July), while Older Persons grants were paid earlier this week (Tuesday 2 July). Therefore, next in-line is the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) payment between roughly Friday 26 July and Wednesday 31 July 2024 (not confirmed as yet).
As for August 2024 SASSA grants. Stats SA explains that there are 4-million Older Persons, 13-million Childcare (across three grants) and 1-million Disability and War Veterans grants to be paid. Currently, this accounts for 3.6% of the South Africa’s GDP. It is unclear yet whether Minister Tolashe will be inclined to increase/decrease our change the infrastructure that supports this social welfare scheme.
GRANT AMOUNTS AND DATES FOR 2024
If you wish to qualify for August 2024 SASSA grants, you will have to check if you’re eligible at the links above. More often than not there are means tests to ensure people are not taking a government grant when the money could be better spent on someone else more needy. Below are the current grant amounts and the remaining payment dates for 2024:
| Grant | April 2024 | October 2024 | Total increase in 2024 |
| Older Persons (60 years) | R2 180 | R2 190 | R100 (4.8%) |
| Older Persons (75 years) | R2 200 | R2 210 | R100 (4.7%) |
| Foster Care | R1 180 | – | R50 (4.4%) |
| Child Support | R530 | – | R20 (3.9%) |
| Disability | R2 180 | R2 190 | R100 (4.8%) |
| Care Dependency | R2 180 | R2 190 | R100 (4.8%) |
*Note that you do not need to reapply to receive increased grants.
AUGUST 2024
- Older Persons Grants: Friday 2 August 2024.
- Disability Grants: Monday 5 August 2024.
- Children’s Grants: Tuesday 6 August 2024.
SEPTEMBER 2024
- Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 3 September 2024.
- Disability Grants: Wednesday 4 September 2024.
- Children’s Grants: Thursday 5 September 2024.
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.
*The agency reminds beneficiaries that payments may take 2-3 days to reflect in your bank account.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SASSA QUERIES?
For any payment queries, 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