There’s still no update from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) regarding grant increases for 2025. As we enter the third week of the year, there has been no official announcement, even though the expected April 2025 adjustments are just ten weeks away.
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The silence from government officials has left millions of grant recipients anxious about their financial future. With inflation continuing to erode purchasing power and basic necessities becoming increasingly expensive, South Africans who depend on these social grants are feeling the pinch more than ever.
I spoke with Thembile Ngcobo, a 67-year-old pensioner from Soweto who relies entirely on her old age grant. “Every month, I have to choose between buying all my medication or having enough food for the month,” she told me outside the local SASSA office where she’d come hoping for information about increases. “Last year’s increase was so small, it disappeared with the first trip to the shop.”
Current SASSA Grant Amounts vs. Living Costs
The current SASSA grant amounts have remained unchanged since April 2024, when modest increases were implemented. These grants serve as a lifeline for approximately 18 million South Africans, many of whom have no other source of income.
Let’s look at how the current monthly grant amounts compare to basic living expenses:
| Grant Type | Current Monthly Amount | Basic Monthly Expenses* | Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Age Grant | R2,080 | R3,500 | -R1,420 |
| Disability Grant | R2,080 | R3,700 | -R1,620 |
| Child Support Grant | R510 | R800 per child | -R290 |
| Foster Care Grant | R1,130 | R1,500 per child | -R370 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,080 | R4,200 | -R2,120 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,100 | R3,500 | -R1,400 |
| Grant-in-Aid | R510 | Additional care costs vary | Varies |
*Basic monthly expenses estimates based on research by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group, January 2025
The figures speak for themselves. Every single grant falls well short of covering the basic expenses faced by recipients. For the elderly and disabled, the R2,080 monthly payment must somehow stretch to cover food, housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and healthcare costs.
“These grants were never meant to provide comprehensive coverage for all living expenses,” admits Michael Tladi, an economics lecturer I interviewed at the University of Johannesburg. “But the gap between grant amounts and actual living costs has widened dramatically over the past five years. Each year without a meaningful increase pushes more South Africans deeper into poverty.”
Why the Silence on 2025 Increases?
The government’s silence regarding SASSA grant increases for 2025 is particularly concerning given South Africa’s current economic climate. Several factors may be contributing to this delay:
Budgetary Constraints
The National Treasury is facing significant fiscal pressure. With tax revenue below projections and government debt continuing to rise, finding room in the budget for substantial grant increases presents a genuine challenge.
“The government is caught between a rock and a hard place,” explains financial analyst Pumla Dlamini, whom I met at a recent economic forum in Cape Town. “They recognize the desperate need for increased social support, but they’re also under immense pressure from investors and ratings agencies to demonstrate fiscal discipline.”
Sources within the Department of Social Development, speaking on condition of anonymity, have suggested that intense negotiations are ongoing between various government departments. “There’s a push for at least inflation-matching increases,” one official told me, “but finding the money without further increasing the budget deficit is proving extremely difficult.”
Political Considerations
The timing of this decision also comes amid complex political dynamics. The current coalition government must balance competing priorities from different political partners, some of whom favor expanded social welfare while others push for fiscal conservatism.
Community activist Nosipho Mthembu, who organizes support groups for grant recipients in KwaZulu-Natal, expressed her frustration during our phone conversation: “Politicians are playing games while our people are suffering. The longer they delay, the more anxiety they create for vulnerable South Africans who need to plan their already stretched budgets.”
The Real Impact of Inadequate Increases
Behind the statistics and political considerations are real people facing increasingly difficult circumstances. During my visits to several communities across three provinces, I witnessed firsthand how grant recipients are struggling to cope.
In Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, I met Gogo Nkosi who cares for three grandchildren using her old age grant and child support grants. “Before, I could buy proper food for the whole month. Now the money is finished by the second week,” she explained as she showed me her carefully maintained budget book. “The children need school shoes, but how can I buy them when we need to eat?”
Healthcare is another area where grant recipients are forced to make impossible choices. At a public clinic in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, nurse Busisiwe Mpongo sees the consequences daily. “Many of our elderly patients are skipping doses or cutting pills in half to make their medication last longer,” she told me during her lunch break. “This just leads to more serious health problems down the line.”
Inflation’s Uneven Impact
While official inflation figures provide one perspective, the reality for low-income South Africans is far worse. Food inflation, in particular, has hit the poor hardest.
“The foods that make up a larger portion of poor households’ budgets have seen the highest price increases,” explains economist Thabo Molefe from the University of the Western Cape. “Items like maize meal, cooking oil, and beans have increased by 15-20% in the past year, far above the overall inflation rate.”
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group, which tracks the cost of a basic food basket, reports that the cost of feeding a family of four increased by 14.2% over the past year, significantly outpacing both general inflation and last year’s grant increases.
What Increases Are Needed?
Advocacy groups and economic justice organizations have been vocal about what they believe would constitute meaningful increases for 2025:
“At bare minimum, grants should increase by the inflation rate plus 2% to begin addressing the gap between grant amounts and actual living costs,” argues Mandla Sithole of the Social Justice Coalition, whom I interviewed at their Cape Town office. “For the old age and disability grants, this would mean an increase of at least R270 per month.”
The Black Sash, which has long advocated for expanded social protection, has called for even more substantial increases. Their research suggests that the old age grant would need to reach at least R2,750 per month to provide basic dignity and security for elderly South Africans, while the child support grant should be at least R850.
“These aren’t luxury amounts,” emphasizes their spokesperson, Thandiwe Xaba. “We’re talking about the bare minimum needed to keep people from going hungry and to provide the most basic necessities.”
When Will We Know More?
The most likely time for an announcement regarding SASSA grant increases will be during the Finance Minister’s budget speech in February. Traditionally, this is when social grant adjustments are confirmed for the coming fiscal year.
However, several government sources I’ve spoken with suggest that an earlier announcement is possible, given the growing public concern. “There’s awareness at the highest levels that people need clarity,” one Department of Social Development official told me. “We may see a statement from the Minister in the coming weeks.”
Until then, grant recipients like Thembile Ngcobo will continue their anxious wait. “All we can do is pray that they remember us,” she says, carefully folding her SASSA card back into her worn purse. “Remember that we are human beings trying to live with dignity.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the 2025 SASSA grant increases be announced?
A: Most likely during the Finance Minister’s budget speech in February, though an earlier announcement is possible.
Q: How much were SASSA grants increased in 2024?
A: In 2024, most grants received increases between 4.5% and 5%, below the inflation rate at that time.
Q: Are SASSA grants taxable?
A: No, SASSA social grants are not subject to income tax.
Q: Can I receive more than one SASSA grant?
A: In most cases, you can only receive one social grant. However, you can receive a Grant-in-Aid in addition to another grant if you require full-time care.
Q: How do I check my SASSA grant status?
A: Call the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11, visit your nearest SASSA office, or check online at www.sassa.gov.za.
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