SASSA Annual Budget 2026/27. Grant Allocations and Increases

The SASSA annual budget for 2026/27 is R330.5 billion for direct grant payments. Total Social Development allocation is R446.6 billion. This covers 26.5 million beneficiaries. Most grants received above-inflation increases from April 2026. The Child Support Grant rose to R580. Old Age and Disability grants rose to R2 400. The SRD R370 grant remained unchanged.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the budget on 25 February 2026. The second budget under the Government of National Unity.

1. What Is the SASSA Annual Budget

Every year, South Africa’s Finance Minister stands before Parliament and delivers the National Budget. This moment matters deeply to millions of South Africans, because it determines how much money flows into their homes every month through SASSA grants.

On 25 February 2026, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2026/27 National Budget. It was the second budget under the Government of National Unity.

The budget had good news for most grant recipients. Above-inflation increases for permanent grants. Continued extension of the SRD grant. And a significant total allocation for social assistance.

2. Total Social Development Budget 2026/27

The SASSA budget for 2026/27 sits within the broader Social Development allocation. Here is the full picture.

How allocations compare visually

This R446.6 billion makes Social Development one of the largest spending areas in the entire national budget. Only Learning and Culture at R527.2 billion receives more funding.

Social spending represents approximately 60% of all non-interest government expenditure. This reflects South Africa’s deep commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens.

The total consolidated national budget revenue for 2026/27 is R2.35 trillion. South Africa’s debt is projected to peak at 78.9% of GDP in 2025/26 before beginning a decline. This fiscal stability made the grant increases possible.

3. Updated SASSA Grant Amounts from April 2026

All permanent grant increases took effect from 1 April 2026. These are the confirmed amounts.

These increases were designed to keep pace with inflation. CPI inflation for 2026 is projected at 3.4%. Most grant increases match or slightly exceed this level, preserving the real value of the grants for beneficiaries.

4. How Many People Does SASSA Support

SASSA supports 26.5 million beneficiaries in the 2026/27 cycle. This is nearly 40% of South Africa’s entire population.

The Child Support Grant remains the largest by volume, supporting 12.6 million children across South Africa.

The SRD R370 grant is growing, from 7.7 million in 2025/26 to 8.2 million in 2026/27. This reflects continued high unemployment among working-age adults between 18 and 59.

The Foster Child Grant is expected to see a decrease in recipients. It is from 184,000 down to 154,000. This is due to SASSA intensifying its verification and eligibility checks.

5. Why Did Some Grants Increase and Not Others

This is a fair question. Many beneficiaries are frustrated that the SRD R370 grant did not increase.

The permanent grants increased because they are long-term social commitments. They support the elderly, disabled, and children. These are recognised as essential income for households that have no other means.

The SRD grant did not increase because it was designed as a temporary emergency measure. It was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It has been extended multiple times. But the National Treasury views it as a transitional programme. It is not a permanent fixture. As a result, the amount stays frozen at R370 per month.

6. What the Budget Means for SRD R370 Recipients

The SRD R370 grant has been extended until 31 March 2027. The government allocated R36.9 billion for this extension.

• ✓Amount stays at R370 per month. It has not changed since 2022.
• ✓Payments continue in batches during the last week of each month, typically between the 24th and 30th.
• ✓Income threshold remains R625 per month. Even a one-time family gift above this can trigger a decline.
• ✓8.2 million unemployed South Africans will continue receiving support through to early 2027.

Despite the frustration around the frozen amount, the extension itself is important. It confirms continued financial support for millions of working-age adults with no other income.

7. The Future of the SRD Grant. Livelihoods Support Grant

The most significant policy announcement in the 2026/27 budget for SRD recipients is the planned redesign of the grant.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the SRD grant will be transformed into a Livelihoods Support Grant. This is a fundamental shift in philosophy.

The public consultation period closed on 30 April 2026. Over 45,000 submissions were received. The Department of Social Development is reviewing them. A final policy announcement is expected during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in late 2026.

8. How SASSA Is Fighting Fraud in 2026

The 2026/27 budget includes significant investment in fraud prevention. This directly affects how grants are verified and paid.

Biometric Verification

SASSA has intensified its eKYC system. This uses facial recognition to confirm that grant recipients are who they claim to be. It has already saved approximately R44 million per month by identifying fraudulent claims.

Database Cross-Checking

Every grant recipient is checked monthly against SARS, UIF, NSFAS, and Home Affairs records. Any income above the means test threshold triggers an automatic review or decline.

Grant Reviews

SASSA reviewed nearly 300,000 grant recipients in the past cycle. Over 34,000 non-qualifying grants were cancelled, generating savings of approximately R170 million.

Impact on Beneficiary Numbers

These tightened checks are why the Foster Child Grant recipient numbers are expected to drop from 184,000 to 154,000 over two years. And Child Support Grant numbers from 12.9 million to 12.38 million over the same period.

9. What the Budget Means for You as a Beneficiary

Here is a practical summary of what the 2026/27 budget means for your daily life.

• OA

  If you receive the Old Age Grant

  Your monthly payment increased by R80 to R2 400 from April 2026. If you are 75 or older, your amount is R2 420.

• DG

  If you receive the Disability Grant

  Your monthly payment increased by R80 to R2 400 from April 2026.

• CS

  If you receive the Child Support Grant

  Your monthly payment per child increased by R20 to R580 from April 2026.

• FC

  If you are a foster parent

  Your monthly payment per child increased by R40 to R1 290 from April 2026. A further increase to R1 300 is confirmed from October 2026.

• SR

  If you receive the SRD R370 grant

  Your amount stays at R370. The grant continues until March 2027.

• ALL

  For all beneficiaries

  Make sure your banking details are correct. Complete any eKYC verification requests immediately.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and References

• →National Treasury South Africa. 2026/27 Budget Review. February 25 2026.
• →Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Budget Speech 2026.
• →South African Social Security Agency. Grant Amounts and Allocations 2026/27.