Over the medium term, R66 billion will be allocated to the Department of Social Development. Millions of social grant recipients will receive monthly payments from this budget.
Sassa Grant Increases Now In Effect
Statistics South Africa reported in January 2023 that the annual consumer price inflation was 6,9%, down from 7,2% in December 2022.A medium-term allocation of R66 billion was then made to the Department of Social Development.
Enoch Godongwana, the Finance Minister, stated that R36 billion will be used to extend the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant until 31 March 2024 and R30 billion will be used to increase other social grants in line with inflation.Godongwana also announced that social grants would increase by at least 5%.
The increases to social grants are as follows
- Old Age grants (Below 75 years) will increase from R1995 to R2085
- Old Age grants (Above 75 years) will increase from R2015 to R2105
- War veterans grants will increase from R2015 to R2005
- Disability grants will increase from R1995 to R2085
- Foster Child grant will increase from R1075 to R1125
- Care Dependency Grants will increase from R1985 to R2085
- Child Support Grants will increase from R485 to R505
- Child Support Grant Top Up will increase from R245 to R255
- Grant-In-Aid will increase from R480 to R505
National Treasury explained that social development will receive R1.1 trillion in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for social grants and welfare services, and to strengthen advocacy for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Child care and old age grants continue to receive the majority of government spending, with the state expecting an increase in beneficiaries over the next three years. In 2023/24, 17.5 million beneficiaries will receive the two grants.
