The recent announcement regarding SASSA grants raises the question: What changes can beneficiaries expect in April 2026? The answer is significant increases in several key grants, aimed at providing additional financial support to vulnerable populations in South Africa.
Effective April 2026, the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, and Care Dependency Grant will see an increase of R80, bringing their total to R2,400. Similarly, the War Veterans Grant will also increase by R80, reaching R2,420. The Foster Child Grant will rise by R40 to R1,290, while the Child Support Grant and Grant-In-Aid will increase by R20, totaling R580.
SASSA has confirmed that these payment increases are part of a staggered payment schedule designed to manage demand and reduce congestion at collection points. The Older Persons Grant will be disbursed on April 2, 2026, followed by the Disability Grant on April 7, and the Children’s Grants on April 8.
This announcement follows delays due to administrative approvals from the National Treasury. SASSA confirmed that the approval for the payment dates was granted on March 20, 2026. Approximately 19 million beneficiaries are expected to be affected by these changes.
Beneficiaries who do not receive their grants on the specified dates are encouraged to visit their nearest local offices for assistance, as SASSA has stated, “Beneficiaries have an option to open their bank accounts with a financial institution of their choice.” Payments are structured to avoid weekends and public holidays, ensuring that funds remain available after the payment date without the need for immediate collection.
SASSA continues to monitor payment systems and beneficiary access throughout April, aiming to ensure a smooth transition to the new payment schedule. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further adjustments or additional support measures that may be implemented in the future.
