The Department of Social Development (DSD) has formally published the updated increases to South Africa’s system of social grants, confirming that the revised payment amounts will take effect from Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Grant increases confirmed: Monthly social grants will rise by between R20 and R80 from April 2026, while the SRD grant remains unchanged at R370 until 2027.
- Significant budget allocation: Government has committed R292.8 billion to social grants for 2026/27, with additional funding ensuring continued support for millions of beneficiaries.
- Wide-reaching impact: Approximately 26.5 million South Africans receive grants, with 8.2 million relying on the SRD grant alone, highlighting the system’s critical role in household stability.
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Social Grant Increases and Government Spending Overview
The approved increases range between R20 and R80 per month, depending on the specific grant type, while the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will remain unchanged at R370 per month, with payments continuing at this level until the next financial year.
Social grants remain the single largest component of expenditure within the social development budget. For the 2026/27 financial year, a total of R292.8 billion has been allocated towards grants, representing approximately 3.6% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
An additional R36.4 billion has been specifically allocated to the SRD grant programme to ensure its continuation until 31 March 2027, maintaining the current monthly payment of R370 per beneficiary.
When excluding the SRD grant, overall spending on social grants is projected to rise significantly, increasing from R246.6 billion in 2025/26 to R276.5 billion by the 2028/29 financial year.
At present, around 8.2 million individuals benefit from the SRD grant, while the broader social grant system supports approximately 26.5 million recipients across the country.
Social grants support nearly half of South Africa’s population indirectly, meaning their economic impact extends beyond recipients to entire households and communities.
Planned Reform of the SRD Grant
South Africans should anticipate notable changes to the SRD grant during the course of 2026, as the government moves forward with plans to restructure it into a permanent jobseeker-focused support mechanism.
Although the existing SRD payments will continue unchanged until the end of the current financial year, authorities expect the programme to be phased out and replaced by a new Basic Income Support (BIS) grant from 2027 onwards.
The Department of Social Development has indicated that it is currently engaging with the National Treasury on the design and implementation of this new grant, with a draft policy framework and public consultations expected to be finalised by the end of March.
The proposed BIS grant is intended to align more closely with South Africa’s broader employment strategies and long-term social protection goals.
Officials have further indicated that the new system will likely focus on linking beneficiaries between the ages of 18 and 59 with:
- Employment opportunities
- Skills development and training programmes
- Small business and enterprise support initiatives
This shift is aimed at transforming social grants from tools used purely for survival into mechanisms that actively promote economic participation and self-sufficiency.
South Africa’s SRD grant was originally introduced as a temporary relief measure during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since evolved into a key pillar of social support policy.
Government’s Position on the New Grant
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the redesigned grant will take the form of a jobseeker-focused allowance, reinforcing its role in addressing unemployment.
During a keynote address at the News24 On the Record Summit, the president explained that the state intends to use the restructured grant system to help individuals access employment opportunities and sustain livelihoods over time.
He emphasised that strengthening the country’s social protection framework remains a priority, particularly in ensuring that unemployed South Africans receive a basic level of financial support while actively seeking work.
Beneficiaries should keep their personal and contact details updated with authorities, as future grant systems may require participation in job-seeking or training programmes.
Updated Grant Values for 2026
The following table outlines the revised grant amounts, comparing 2025 values with the updated figures for 2026:
| Grant | 2025 Value | 2026 Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | R2 320 | R2 400 | +R80 |
| Older Persons (75+) | R2 340 | R2 420 | +R80 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2 340 | R2 420 | +R80 |
| Disability Grant | R2 320 | R2 400 | +R80 |
| Foster Care Grant | R1 250 | R1 290 | +R40 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2 320 | R2 400 | +R80 |
| Child Support Grant | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| Child Support (Top-Up) | R560 + R280 | R560 + R290 | +R20 + R10 |
| Grant-In-Aid | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| SRD Grant | R370 | R370 | No Change |
*The foster care grant is scheduled to increase further to R1 300 from October 2026.
The increases will be implemented in two phases, with the initial adjustments taking effect on 1 April 2026 and additional changes, where applicable, coming into force on 1 October 2026.
Grant recipients are encouraged to check their payment schedules and banking details ahead of April to avoid delays when the new amounts are rolled out.
Conclusion
The upcoming social grant increases provide modest but meaningful financial relief to millions of South Africans, while underscoring the government’s continued reliance on social assistance as a key pillar of economic support. Although the SRD grant remains unchanged, its extension and planned transition into a jobseeker-focused Basic Income Support system signal a broader shift towards linking welfare with employment opportunities. As spending on grants continues to grow, the long-term effectiveness of these measures will depend on how successfully they balance immediate poverty alleviation with sustainable pathways to economic participation.
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