The SASSA old age grant, disability grant and care dependency grant each pay R2 400 a month as of the 2026/27 increase effective April 2026. The war veterans grant pays R2 420, the foster child grant pays R1 290, and the child support grant and grant-in-aid each pay R580. The SRD grant remains R370 a month and did not increase this year. You do not need to reapply to receive the higher amounts, and the next scheduled change is a further foster child grant adjustment expected in October 2026. dsd
The full list of SASSA grant amounts for 2026/27
These amounts were confirmed by SASSA and the Department of Social Development following the February 2026 Budget Speech, and took effect from April 2026. dsd
| Grant | Monthly amount | Change from 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Older persons grant, 60 to 74 | R2 400 | Up R80 |
| Older persons grant, 75 and older | R2 420 | Up R80 |
| War veterans grant | R2 420 | Up R80 |
| Disability grant | R2 400 | Up R80 |
| Care dependency grant | R2 400 | Up R80 |
| Foster child grant | R1 290 | Up R40 |
| Child support grant | R580 | Up R20 |
| Grant-in-aid | R580 | Up R20 |
| SRD grant | R370 | No change |
The foster child grant amount is paid per child in foster care, and the child support grant is paid per eligible child. The grant-in-aid is an additional amount paid on top of an existing grant to beneficiaries who need full-time care from another person.
The SRD grant stays at R370 a month, with payments extended until 31 March 2027. It has not increased since April 2024. MEXC
When SASSA pays in August and the months ahead
SASSA pays grants early in the month, staggered over three days. Older persons are paid first, then persons with disabilities, and then children’s grants. Payment dates avoid Mondays, the first of the month, weekends and the day after a public holiday. dsd
The confirmed dates for the next three months are: August 2026 on 4, 5 and 6 August; September 2026 on 2, 3 and 4 September; and October 2026 on 2, 5 and 6 October, in the order of older persons, disability and children’s grants each month. dsd
Money paid into your account or SASSA card stays there until you withdraw it. You do not need to queue on the payment date itself.
SRD grant payments work differently. They are processed later in the month in batches once monthly verification is complete, so there is no single fixed SRD payday. Check your own payment date each month on the SRD website, srd dot sassa dot gov dot za, under your status result.
Do you need to do anything to get the increase
No. The increase was applied automatically from the April 2026 payment cycle onwards, provided your grant is approved and you remain eligible. There is no reapplication form and no fee.
Anyone who asks you to pay a fee, share a PIN or click a link to “activate” or “unlock” an increased grant is running a scam. SASSA services are free, and the agency’s toll-free line is 0800 60 10 11.
If you receive your grant into a bank account, make sure your banking details on the SASSA system are current. Outdated details are one of the few things that can delay a payment that is otherwise approved.
Common problems and what they mean
If your payment is less than the amount in the table above, first confirm which grant you actually receive, because the amounts differ by grant type. If the grant type is right and the amount is still short, take your ID and card to your nearest SASSA office, or call 0800 60 10 11. Deductions such as funeral policy premiums authorised against a grant can also reduce the amount that lands.
If your payment did not arrive on the scheduled date, allow two to three business days for bank processing before escalating. SASSA has asked beneficiaries who experience delays or challenges accessing funds to visit their nearest SASSA office for assistance. dsd
If your SRD status shows pending, your application is still being verified for that month and no payment date will show yet. If it shows declined, the status result names a reason, and you can lodge an appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals within 90 days through the DSD appeals site linked from the SRD website.
Who qualifies for each grant
Eligibility rules sit with SASSA and are applied through a means test for most grants. In broad terms, the older persons grant is for citizens, permanent residents and refugees aged 60 or older who pass the means test. The disability grant requires a medical assessment confirming a disability that prevents you from working. The child support grant goes to the primary caregiver of a child under 18 who passes the means test. The SRD grant is for adults with no income and no other grant, verified monthly against bank and government records.
The full criteria, income thresholds and required documents for each grant are published by SASSA, and thresholds change periodically. Confirm the current means test limits with SASSA before applying, as fees and thresholds change periodically.
FAQ
How much is the SASSA old age grant in 2026?
R2 400 a month for beneficiaries aged 60 to 74, and R2 420 for those 75 and older, effective from April 2026.
Did the SRD grant increase in 2026?
No. The SRD grant remains R370 a month and has been extended at that amount until 31 March 2027.
When does SASSA pay in August 2026?
Older persons grants pay on 4 August, disability grants on 5 August and children’s grants on 6 August. SRD payments follow later in the month in batches.
Do I need to reapply to get the increased amount?
No. The new amounts were applied automatically from April 2026 to all approved beneficiaries.
Which grant increases again in October 2026?
Budget documents indicated a second foster child grant step, taking it from R1 290 to R1 300 from October 2026. Confirm the final amount with SASSA closer to the date.
What does SASSA status pending mean?
For the SRD grant, pending means your application for that month is still being verified. No payment date appears until the status changes to approved.
What to watch
The foster child grant is scheduled for a second adjustment in October 2026, and the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement later this year is expected to address the future of the SRD grant, which government has said it intends to convert into a longer-term support grant after March 2027. Either announcement would change the figures above.
