What Happened
On February 25, 2026, the National Treasury released the 2026 Budget Review, announcing increases in various social grants, while the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will remain unchanged at R370 per month. The old age grant will rise from R2,315 to R2,400, and the child support grant will increase from R560 to R580, among other adjustments.
Why It Matters
Social grants are a crucial component of South Africa’s social development strategy, providing essential support to millions of households. The total allocation for social grants is projected to reach R292.8 billion in the 2026/27 financial year. While most grants will see above-inflation increases, the SRD grant’s stagnation raises concerns about the financial stability of many beneficiaries who rely on this support for basic needs.
What’s Next
The SRD grant is set to continue until March 2027, with discussions about its potential transformation into a permanent “livelihoods” grant ongoing. Future adjustments to the SRD grant will be addressed in the medium-term budget policy statement, as the government aims to tighten compliance and verification processes for grant beneficiaries.
