Sassa Confirms October Social Grant Increase: What R10 Means for South Africans

For millions of South Africans, social grants aren’t just monthly payments, they are the difference between getting by and going without. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has now confirmed that all social grants will see a R10 increase starting in October 2025, following the budget announcement made by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana earlier this year.

The Numbers: Small Increase, Big Impact

From October, beneficiaries can expect the following adjusted amounts:

• Old Age Grant: R2 320 (up from R2 310)

• Old Age Grant for 75+: R2 340 (up from R2 330)

• War Veterans Grant: R2 340 (up from R2 330)

• Disability Grant: R2 320 (up from R2 310)

• Care Dependency Grant: R2 320 (up from R2 310)

It’s a modest rise, just R10 but for households stretched to the limit by high food prices and transport costs, every rand counts.

Why This Matters

Social grants are South Africa’s largest safety net, supporting over 18 million beneficiaries. For many pensioners, parents, and people with disabilities, these payments cover basics like groceries, electricity, and school transport.

Sassa CEO Themba Matlou called the increase an “essential intervention,” noting that the agency is fully prepared for the October payment cycle. “This reaffirms government’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society, easing financial burden and cushioning them against economic hardships,” he said.

October Payment Dates

Sassa confirmed that payments will follow the usual staggered schedule:

• 2 October 2025 – Old Age Grants

• 3 October 2025 – Disability Grants

• 6 October 2025 – Children’s Grants

Beneficiaries with questions are encouraged to call the agency’s toll-free line: 0800 60 10 11.

Public Reaction: Relief, but Calls for More

On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some South Africans welcomed the confirmation, with one user posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Even R10 makes a difference when bread is almost R20.”

Others were less impressed, pointing out that the increase falls short of keeping up with rising living costs. A Facebook comment summed up the frustration: “R10 is not an increaseit’s a joke when taxi fares go up by R2 every other month.”

This marks the second grant adjustment of 2025, following the increase introduced in April. Historically, government has used staggered adjustments to cushion households from inflationary shocks, though critics argue that the raises rarely keep pace with actual cost-of-living increases.

South Africa has one of the most extensive social welfare systems in Africa, but it comes with fiscal pressure. With Treasury walking a tightrope between budget constraints and growing poverty levels, the R10 bump is both a symbolic and practical move, small in numbers, but significant in intention.

The October increase may not transform lives, but it does offer a little extra breathing room at the till. For Sassa beneficiaries, it’s a reminder that while the climb is steep, government support however modest, remains a lifeline.

{Source: The Citizen}

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