Which Grant Do I Qualify For?
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SASSA grant amounts do not stay the same all year. They are adjusted to help beneficiaries keep pace with the rising cost of living, and the timing follows a predictable pattern. This guide explains when increases happen in 2026, lists the current amount for every grant, describes what drives the changes, and shows you how to stay up to date so you always know what to expect.
We are an independent helper site, not affiliated with SASSA. The official figures are confirmed by SASSA and the National Treasury, so always verify current amounts at sassa.gov.za.
When SASSA grants increase
Grant increases typically happen twice a year, in April and October. The April adjustment is the main annual increase announced around the national budget, and a further adjustment often follows in October.
Because of this two-step pattern, the amount you receive at the start of the year may rise partway through it. If you notice your grant total change mid-year, an April or October increase is the most likely reason rather than an error.
The exact new figures are confirmed by SASSA and the National Treasury each year. Always treat the official announcement as the final word, and verify current amounts at sassa.gov.za.
The April and October pattern explained
The two adjustment points serve slightly different purposes. The April increase is set as part of the national budget and is the larger, headline change for the year. The October increase is a smaller, mid-year top-up that helps grants keep pace when prices have moved since April. Knowing there are two moments in the year means you will not be surprised when your grant total steps up a second time later in the year.
Current grant amounts
The table below shows the current monthly amount for each grant. These figures apply until the next scheduled increase.
| Grant | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Old Age (Older Persons) | R2,400 |
| Old Age (75 and older) | R2,420 |
| Disability | R2,400 |
| Child Support | R580 |
| Foster Child | R1,290 |
| Care Dependency | R2,400 |
| SRD | R370 |
For a fuller breakdown of each grant and who it is for, see our guide on SASSA grant amounts in 2026. If you want to check whether you qualify in the first place, read who qualifies for SASSA grants.
What drives the increases
Several factors shape how much grants go up each year:
- Inflation and the cost of living. Increases are meant to protect the real value of grants as prices rise, so higher inflation generally means a larger adjustment.
- The national budget. Grant amounts are set as part of government spending decisions announced around budget time, which is why the main increase lands in April.
- The mid-year review. The October adjustment allows a further top-up, often reflecting how conditions have changed since April.
Because these figures are decided at a national level, no one can tell you the exact new amount before the official announcement. Be cautious of any message claiming to know a precise future figure ahead of time.
How increases affect different grants
Not every grant rises by the same rand amount. Larger grants such as Old Age, Disability and Care Dependency usually see bigger rand increases than the Child Support Grant simply because they start from a higher base.
The SRD R370 grant is reviewed separately from the permanent grants and does not always follow the same April and October pattern. Keep an eye on official announcements specifically for the SRD grant, and check your status regularly at srd.sassa.gov.za.
An increase does not change your payment date. Grants still pay in the usual order during the first week of the month, as explained in our guide on SASSA payment dates in 2026.
A worked example of how an increase feels
Suppose a beneficiary receives the Old Age Grant at R2,400 a month. When the April adjustment is announced and applied, the amount steps up to a new figure confirmed by SASSA. The beneficiary does not need to do anything: the higher amount simply appears in the account on the next pay day. The payment order, the collection points, and the card all stay the same. The only visible change is a larger number on the balance and the till slip. You can confirm the change has landed using USSD *120*3210#, as explained in our guide on checking your SASSA balance.
The means test does not disappear
An increase raises the amount you receive, but it does not remove the income and asset rules that decide whether you qualify in the first place. Those rules, known as the means test, are updated from time to time as well. To understand how they work, read our guide on the SASSA means test explained. If you are close to a threshold, an increase in your grant does not by itself change whether you still pass the test, so it is worth checking your position when amounts change.
How the different grants compare after an increase
It helps to see the grants side by side, because the rand value of an increase depends heavily on the starting amount. The three largest grants, Old Age, Disability and Care Dependency, all start from the same base, which is why they tend to move together. The Foster Child Grant sits in the middle, and the Child Support Grant, while the smallest per child, reaches the most households because so many children qualify.
| Grant | Who it supports | Relative size |
|---|---|---|
| Old Age, Disability, Care Dependency | Older persons, people with disabilities, children needing full-time care | Largest |
| Foster Child | Children placed in foster care | Middle |
| Child Support | Primary caregivers of children | Smallest per child, widest reach |
| SRD R370 | Adults with little or no income | Reviewed separately |
Because the Child Support Grant reaches so many children, even a small rand increase adds up to a large total across the country. That is one reason its adjustments are watched closely each budget. For more detail on who each grant is for, see our guides on the Child Support Grant and the Old Age Grant.
Spotting increase scams
An increase is exactly the kind of news scammers exploit. Around April and October, watch for messages that claim your grant has "gone up" and ask you to click a link, confirm your PIN, or pay a small fee to "release" the extra money. None of that is real. A genuine increase is applied automatically and costs you nothing. If a message pressures you to act quickly or hand over card details, delete it and, if unsure, phone the SASSA toll-free line on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm.
Keeping up to date
To make sure you always know the current amount:
- Check official SASSA channels around April and October when increases are announced.
- Read your till slips and balance so you notice when your grant total changes.
- Keep your contact details current so you receive official messages.
- Ignore any message that claims to know the exact new figure before the official announcement.
If you want to check where you stand against the income limits before an increase or review, our SASSA means test calculator gives a quick estimate. Older beneficiaries can also confirm their expected amount with our Old Age Grant calculator.
Frequently asked questions
When do SASSA grants increase in 2026?
Increases usually happen twice a year, in April and October. The April adjustment is the main annual increase around the national budget, with a further adjustment often following in October. Confirm the exact figures at sassa.gov.za.
How much is the Old Age grant after the increase?
The current Old Age grant is R2,400 a month, rising to R2,420 for beneficiaries aged 75 and older. These amounts apply until the next scheduled April or October increase, when new figures are announced officially.
Does the SRD R370 grant increase at the same time?
Not necessarily. The SRD grant is reviewed separately from the permanent grants and does not always follow the April and October pattern. Watch for official SRD-specific announcements and check your status at srd.sassa.gov.za.
Do I have to apply or do anything to get the increase?
No. Once an increase is announced and applied, the higher amount appears automatically on your next pay day. You do not need to reapply, visit an office, or pay any fee. Anyone asking for money to "unlock" an increase is running a scam.
Will an increase change my payment date?
No. An increase changes only the amount, not the timing. Grants still pay in the usual order during the first week of the month, and the SRD still pays in the second half of the month. See our guide on SASSA payment dates in 2026.
Why did my grant go up by less than someone else's?
Grants do not all rise by the same rand amount. Larger grants such as Old Age and Disability usually see bigger rand increases than the Child Support Grant because they start from a higher base. The percentage change can be similar even when the rand figures differ.
Can someone tell me the exact new amount before it is announced?
No, and you should be cautious of anyone who claims to. The figures are decided at national level and confirmed by SASSA and the National Treasury, usually around budget time in April and again in October. Any message quoting a precise future amount before the official announcement is guessing at best and a scam at worst.
Where can I confirm the current amount for my grant?
The current monthly amount for every grant is listed in the table above, and you can see a fuller breakdown in our guide on SASSA grant amounts in 2026. Always treat the official figures at sassa.gov.za as the final word, since amounts change at each April and October adjustment.