The South African government has announced increases to all major social grants for the coming financial year, offering much‑needed relief to millions of vulnerable citizens. According to the 2026 Budget Review released by National Treasury on Wednesday, permanent grants such as old age, disability, child support and foster care will see boosts in monthly payouts — though the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant remains unchanged at R370 per month.
Under the new budget allocations, the old age, disability and care dependency grants will rise from R2 315 to R2 400 per month. The war veterans grant increases from R2 335 to R2 420, while the foster care grant is set to go up from R1 250 to R1 295. Child support and the grant‑in‑aid will both increase from R560 to R580.
These enhancements come as part of a broader strategy to strengthen social protection systems in the face of rising living costs and economic uncertainty. Social grants make up the largest share of the government’s social development spending, and funding is projected to grow significantly over the medium term — from R246.6 billion in 2025/26 to R276.5 billion in 2028/29.
Despite the increases, the SRD grant — introduced during the COVID‑19 pandemic — will remain at its current rate of R370 and continue through 31 March 2027, supported by an additional R36.4 billion in allocations. This means recipients of this temporary income support will not receive an uplift in their monthly payments for now.
National Treasury also highlighted efforts to tighten controls around grant eligibility to ensure that support reaches those who truly qualify. Measures include improved biometric and income verification checks, as well as more frequent eligibility reviews. These steps are expected to yield savings that can be redirected to bolster the sustainability of social assistance programmes.
The increased grants aim to help poor and vulnerable South Africans cope with inflation and daily expenses. However, some civil society groups have in the past warned that while such measures are helpful, they may still fall short of offsetting broader cost‑of‑living challenges facing low‑income households.
Overall, the 2026 grant adjustments reflect the government’s continuing effort to balance fiscal responsibility with social support for those who depend on these vital payments.
