SRD Services

SASSA Grant Amounts 2026 Check Rates, Apply & Change Details

SASSA grant amounts are the monthly payments the South African Social Security Agency pays to older persons, people with a disability, children and people in financial distress. If you already receive a grant, or you plan to apply, the figure you get depends on the grant type and on your income and assets. From 1 April 2026, most grants went up by R20 to R85 a month, and every new amount is listed below with the rules that decide whether you qualify.

Who Qualifies for SASSA Grant Amounts?

You can receive a SASSA grant if you meet these basic conditions:

Citizenship: You are a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee.
Residence: You live in South Africa when you apply.
Identity: You have a valid 13-digit South African ID. Children need a birth certificate.
Means test: Your income and assets fall below SASSA’s limits (the SRD grant uses its own R624 income cap).
Not in state care: You don’t live in a state-funded institution such as a prison or a state psychiatric hospital.
One main grant: You can’t get two main grants for yourself, although Grant-in-Aid can sit on top of another grant.

Applying costs nothing. SASSA never charges a fee, and nobody needs to pay an agent to “speed it up.”

What Are the SASSA Grant Amounts for 2026/27?

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the new SASSA grant amounts in the 2026 Budget speech on 25 February 2026. National Treasury approved the schedule on 20 March 2026, and payments at the new rates started on 2 April 2026.

Grant	2025/26 Amount	2026/27 Amount	Monthly Increase
Older Persons Grant (60–74)	R2,315	R2,400	+R85
Older Persons Grant (75+)	R2,335	R2,420	+R85
Disability Grant	R2,315	R2,400	+R85
Care Dependency Grant	R2,315	R2,400	+R85
War Veteran’s Grant	R2,335	R2,420	+R85
Foster Child Grant	R1,250	R1,290	+R40
Child Support Grant	R560	R580	+R20
Grant-in-Aid	R560	R580	+R20
Social Relief of Distress (SRD)	R370	R370	No change

Treasury describes this as an above-inflation increase of about 3.6% to 3.7% for most permanent grants. The SRD grant stays frozen at R370 until 31 March 2027.

Older Persons Grant Amount

The Older Persons Grant (still called the “old age pension” by most people) pays R2,400 a month if you are 60 to 74. Once you turn 75, SASSA automatically moves you to the higher rate of R2,420. You don’t need to apply again for the extra R20.

You must be 60 or older, pass the means test and not receive another social grant for yourself.

Disability Grant Amount

The Disability Grant pays R2,400 a month to adults aged 18 to 59 who can’t work because of a physical or mental disability. A doctor appointed by SASSA must confirm the disability during a medical assessment.

SASSA gives two types:

Temporary Disability Grant: paid for 6 to 12 months when the condition is expected to improve.
Permanent Disability Grant: paid for longer than 12 months. It changes to an Older Persons Grant automatically when you turn 60.

A temporary grant stops when its period ends, so book your new medical assessment early if you still can’t work.

How Much Is the Child Support Grant?

The Child Support Grant (CSG) pays R580 per child per month from April 2026. It is the most common grant in South Africa, with around 13 million children on it.

Who gets it: the primary caregiver of a child under 18
Means test: caregiver’s income under R5,800 a month (single) or R11,600 (married)
Child limit: up to 6 children who aren’t your biological or adopted children, with no limit for your own children
Paid until: the child turns 18

What Is the CSG Top-Up?

The CSG Top-Up is for relatives who care for an orphan. It pays 50% more than the normal Child Support Grant, which works out to about R870 a month at the 2026/27 rate.

Tip: Apply as soon as the baby’s birth is registered, because the grant is only backdated to your application date, not the birth date.

How Much Is the Care Dependency Grant?

The Care Dependency Grant pays R2,400 a month for a child with a severe disability who needs full-time care.

Who gets it: parents, foster parents or primary caregivers of a child under 18
Medical proof: a SASSA-appointed doctor must assess the child
Means test: caregiver’s income under R24,000 a month (single) or R48,000 (married)
Paid until: the child turns 18

When the child turns 18, they can apply for a Disability Grant in their own name.

How Much Is the Foster Child Grant?

The Foster Child Grant pays R1,290 a month for each child placed in your care by a children’s court.

Who gets it: foster parents named in a valid court order
Means test: none, so your income doesn’t matter
Paid until: the court order ends, or age 21 if the child is still in school

Keep an eye on the court order’s expiry date. If it lapses and isn’t extended, SASSA stops the grant.

How Much Is the War Veteran’s Grant?

The War Veteran’s Grant pays R2,420 a month, the same as the Older Persons Grant for people aged 75 and over.

Who gets it: people who fought in the Second World War or the Korean War
Age or health: 60 or older, or living with a disability
Means test: the same limits as the Older Persons Grant

Very few people still receive it, because most veterans of those wars have passed away.

How Much Is Grant-in-Aid?

Grant-in-Aid is an extra R580 a month, paid on top of your main grant.

Who gets it: people on an Older Persons, Disability or War Veteran’s Grant
Condition: you can’t look after yourself and need someone to care for you full-time
How to apply: no separate form, just ask at your local SASSA office, either when you apply for your main grant or later

So an older person on Grant-in-Aid receives R2,980 a month in total (R2,400 + R580).

How Much Is the SRD Grant?

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant pays R370 a month. The amount didn’t change in 2026.

Who gets it: unemployed South Africans aged 18 to 59 with no other income or grant
Income limit: less than R624 coming into your bank account during the month SASSA checks
Valid until: 31 March 2027, backed by R36.4 billion in the 2026 Budget
Checked: every month, one month at a time

If your bank account shows R624 or more in a month, that month is declined, even if you were approved.

How Much Did SASSA Grant Amounts Change in 2026?

The April 2026 increase added between R20 and R85 a month to each permanent grant. Here is what the change means over a full year:

Grant	Extra per Month	Extra per Year
Older Persons (60–74)	R85	R1,020
Disability	R85	R1,020
Care Dependency	R85	R1,020
Foster Child	R40	R480
Child Support	R20	R240
SRD	R0	R0

A parent with three children on the Child Support Grant now gets R1,740 a month instead of R1,680. A pensioner couple who both get the Older Persons Grant now receives R4,800 together.

Why Didn’t the SRD Amount Increase?

The SRD grant is still a temporary grant, not a permanent one under the Social Assistance Act. Treasury has kept it at R370 since April 2024 while the government looks at replacing it with a permanent support programme. Until that decision is made, expect it to stay at R370.

Will SASSA Grant Amounts Change Again in October 2026?

No October increase was announced for 2026. In some past years (2022 and 2023, for example), government split increases between April and October. For 2026/27, the full increase took effect in April. The next change to SASSA grant amounts will most likely come with the February 2027 Budget speech and apply from April 2027.

Be careful with viral posts promising a “new October increase.” Only trust amounts published on sassa.gov.za, dsd.gov.za or sanews.gov.za.

What Are the Means Test Limits for 2026?

The means test decides whether you qualify for a grant at all. For most grants, it doesn’t change SASSA grant amounts once you pass. The limits below are SASSA’s approximate 2026/27 figures, and your local SASSA office can confirm the exact number for your case.

Grant	Income Limit (Single)	Income Limit (Married)	Asset Limit (Single / Married)
Older Persons	~R9,350/month	~R18,700/month	~R1,584,000 / R3,168,000
Disability	~R9,350/month	~R18,700/month	~R1,584,000 / R3,168,000
War Veteran’s	~R9,350/month	~R18,700/month	~R1,584,000 / R3,168,000
Child Support	R5,800/month	R11,600/month	No asset test
Care Dependency	R24,000/month	R48,000/month	No asset test
Foster Child	No means test	No means test	No means test
SRD	R624/month	Individual only	Bank account checks

The Child Support and Care Dependency limits are simple to remember. They equal 10 times the grant amount (single) and 20 times (married).

For the Older Persons and Disability Grants, SASSA uses a sliding scale. If your income is only slightly under the limit, you may get a partial grant instead of the full R2,400.

How Do You Apply for a SASSA Grant?

There are three ways to apply, depending on the grant. Whichever way you use, the grant is backdated to the date you applied, so apply as soon as you qualify.

How Do You Apply Online?

You can apply online for the Older Persons, Child Support and Foster Child grants on the SASSA Services Portal.

Go to services.sassa.gov.za and register with your ID number, email address and cellphone number.
Confirm the one-time PIN (OTP) SASSA sends to your phone.
Choose the grant you want and fill in the application form.
Upload clear copies of your ID, proof of address, proof of income and, for children, their birth certificate.
Submit the form and write down your reference number.

Tip: Scan documents in good light with every corner showing. Blurry uploads are the most common reason online applications get stuck.

SASSA may still ask you to come to an office once to take your fingerprints.

How Do You Apply at a SASSA Office?

All grants can be applied for in person, and the Disability and Care Dependency grants must be.

Find your nearest SASSA local office, or call 0800 60 10 11 to ask where it is.
Bring your green barcoded ID or smart ID card, proof of address, proof of income, bank statements and your marriage certificate or spouse’s death certificate if it applies.
For a Disability Grant, bring your medical records. SASSA will book a doctor’s assessment for you.
For children’s grants, bring the child’s birth certificate. For the Foster Child Grant, also bring the court order.
Fill in the application form with the SASSA official, and have your fingerprints taken.
Keep the stamped receipt. It’s your proof of the date you applied.

Arrive early. Most offices open at 7:30 and queues get long by mid-morning, especially in the first week of the month.

How Do You Apply for the SRD Grant?

The SRD grant is only applied for online or on your phone. You can’t apply for it at an office.

Go to srd.sassa.gov.za and click “Individuals applying for themselves.”
Enter your cellphone number and confirm the SMS PIN.
Fill in your ID number, personal details and banking details.
Accept the declaration and consent that SASSA can check your income with banks, SARS and UIF.
Submit the application.

You can also apply through WhatsApp on 082 046 8553. Remember that SASSA checks you again every month, so an approval in one month doesn’t guarantee payment the next.

How Long Does Approval Take?

SASSA aims to process most permanent grant applications within about three months. SRD applications usually show a status within a few days to a few weeks. If your application is declined, you have 90 days to ask SASSA to reconsider a permanent grant, or 30 days to lodge an SRD appeal at srd.dsd.gov.za.

How Do You Change Your Banking Details?

If you open a new bank account or close an old one, update SASSA quickly so your grant doesn’t bounce back.

Changing SRD Banking Details Online

Visit srd.sassa.gov.za and scroll to “How do I change my banking details?”
Enter your ID number and click “Send SMS.”
Type in the secure link or OTP SASSA sends to the cellphone number you applied with.
Enter the new bank account details, which must be in your own name.
Submit the update.

SASSA verifies the new account before it pays into it, so payment for that month can be a little later than normal.

Changing Banking Details for Other Grants

For the Older Persons, Disability, Child Support and other permanent grants, go to your local SASSA office in person.

Take your ID and a bank letter or stamped bank statement showing the account holder’s name and account number.
Fill in the payment method change form with the official.
Have your fingerprints verified.

Warning: SASSA never asks for your banking PIN or card password over the phone, SMS or WhatsApp. Anyone who does is a scammer.

When Are SASSA Grant Amounts Paid?

SASSA pays the new SASSA grant amounts early each month over three days: older persons first, then disability, then children’s grants. The payment dates for October 2026 are:

Grant Type	October 2026 Payment Date
Older Persons Grant	Friday, 2 October 2026
Disability Grant	Monday, 5 October 2026
Children’s Grants (CSG, Foster, Care Dependency)	Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Grant reviews / eLife certification	Wednesday, 7 October 2026

In most months, older persons are paid on the 2nd, disability on the 3rd and children’s grants on the 4th. Dates move when they fall on a weekend or public holiday. SRD payments go out later, usually during the last two weeks of the month, and each person’s date depends on when their verification finishes.

Your money stays in your account once it’s paid. You don’t need to rush to a shop or ATM on the first day.

Which Payment Method Is Best?

You can choose how SASSA pays your monthly grant amount. Here is how the options compare:

Method	Accessibility	Speed	Convenience	Notes
Personal bank account	Any major bank	Same day	High	Use any ATM, card or app
SASSA Gold Card (Postbank)	Postbank card	Same day	High	Free withdrawals at some retailers
Retail cash-send (SRD)	Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers, Usave	1–3 days after release	Medium	For SRD applicants only, needs SMS code
Post Office	Selected branches	Same day	Low	Long queues, limited branches

So, a personal bank account in your own name is the best method, because the money arrives on the payment date and you can use it anywhere without queuing. Just check your bank’s ATM and account fees, since a small grant can shrink quickly with R10 to R15 withdrawal fees.

Tips for Managing Your SASSA Grant

Withdraw cash at a till point. Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay and Boxer let you withdraw grant money at the till, often for a lower fee than an ATM. Ask for your balance first so you know how much is there.
Don’t collect on the first day. Queues and ATM crowds are worst on the payment date. Waiting a day or two is safer and quicker, and your money won’t disappear.
Keep your phone number the same. SASSA sends OTPs and SRD updates to the number you applied with. If you must change it, update it at srd.sassa.gov.za or at a SASSA office before you lose the old SIM.
Keep your application receipt. The stamped receipt proves your application date, and grants are backdated to that date. It also helps if your file gets lost.
Report the 75th birthday if it doesn’t update. The move to R2,420 should happen on its own. If it hasn’t happened after two payment cycles, take your ID to a SASSA office.
Check your SRD status every month. Log in at srd.sassa.gov.za and look at each month separately. One declined month doesn’t cancel the others.
Watch your bank inflows if you’re on SRD. Money a relative sends you counts as income. If it pushes you past R624 in a month, that month will be declined.
Complete your eLife or proof-of-life check. Some older beneficiaries are asked to confirm they’re still alive once a year. If you miss it, your grant can be suspended.
Report lost cards straight away. Call 0800 60 10 11 or visit Postbank to block a lost SASSA Gold Card before anyone uses it.
Trust only official sources for SASSA grant amounts. Fake Facebook pages and WhatsApp messages often post made-up increases. Check any new figure on sassa.gov.za or sanews.gov.za before you believe it.
Report fraud. If someone asks you for money to process a grant, call the SASSA fraud line on 0800 701 701.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the SASSA grant amounts for 2026?

From April 2026, the Older Persons, Disability and Care Dependency grants pay R2,400 a month, and the War Veteran’s Grant pays R2,420. The Foster Child Grant pays R1,290, and the Child Support Grant and Grant-in-Aid pay R580. The SRD grant stays at R370.

How much is the Older Persons Grant in 2026?

The Older Persons Grant is R2,400 a month for people aged 60 to 74 and R2,420 for people aged 75 and older. The new amounts started with the April 2026 payment on 2 April.

How much is the Disability Grant per month?

The Disability Grant pays R2,400 a month from April 2026. You may get less if your income is close to the means test limit, because SASSA uses a sliding scale.

How much is the Child Support Grant in 2026?

The Child Support Grant is R580 per child per month from April 2026, up from R560. Relatives caring for orphans may qualify for the CSG Top-Up of about R870.

When did the new SASSA grant amounts start?

The new SASSA grant amounts started on 1 April 2026. Older persons received the higher amount first, on 2 April 2026, followed by disability and children’s grants.

Will SASSA grant amounts increase in October 2026?

No October increase has been announced for 2026. The full yearly increase took effect in April, and the next change is expected from April 2027 after the February 2027 Budget.

Is the SRD grant going up from R370?

No. The SRD grant stays at R370 a month until 31 March 2027. Treasury extended it without increasing it.

Can I get two SASSA grants at the same time?

You can’t get two main grants for yourself. But you can receive a grant for yourself and also a Child Support or Foster Child Grant for a child in your care. Grant-in-Aid can also be added on top of your own grant.

How do I apply for a SASSA grant online?

Apply online for the Older Persons, Child Support and Foster Child grants at services.sassa.gov.za. For the SRD grant, use srd.sassa.gov.za or WhatsApp on 082 046 8553. Disability and Care Dependency grants need an in-person application.

How do I change my SASSA banking details?

SRD beneficiaries can change banking details online at srd.sassa.gov.za using an SMS link or OTP. For other grants, visit a SASSA office with your ID and a stamped bank letter or statement.

What is the income limit for the Older Persons Grant?

The 2026/27 limit is roughly R9,350 a month for a single person and R18,700 for a married couple. The asset limit is about R1.58 million single and R3.17 million married.

Does my grant amount change when I turn 75?

Yes. Your Older Persons Grant rises from R2,400 to R2,420 when you turn 75. SASSA makes the change automatically based on your ID number.

Are SASSA grant amounts backdated?

Yes. Once approved, your permanent grant is paid from the date you applied, so you receive the months you waited in one payment. SRD grants are paid only for months you qualify for.

What is the SASSA contact number?

Call the SASSA toll-free helpline on 0800 60 10 11 or email [email protected]. To report fraud, call 0800 701 701.

What happens to a Disability Grant at age 60?

A Permanent Disability Grant changes into an Older Persons Grant when you turn 60. You don’t need to apply again, and the amount stays at R2,400.

Final Thoughts

The 2026/27 SASSA grant amounts give older persons, people with a disability and carers of children with a severe disability R85 more each month. Families on the Child Support Grant get R20 more per child, and the SRD grant stays at R370 until March 2027. The amount you actually receive also depends on the means test, so check your income against the limits before you apply.

I really suggest you apply online at services.sassa.gov.za if your grant allows it, and get paid into a bank account in your own name. It saves you a queue at the office and another queue on payday. If something in your SASSA grant amounts looks wrong, call 0800 60 10 11 before you do anything else. If you have a question about your own grant, leave it in the comments and I’ll help you find the answer.