SASSA grants 2026: all 8 types, amounts and who qualifies
On this page (5 sections)
SASSA (the South African Social Security Agency) pays 8 social grants, from the R370 monthly SRD grant to the ±R2,400 Older Persons and Disability grants. Each has its own eligibility rules and means test. The table below compares all eight — figures marked * are reported 2026 amounts still being verified against the Gazette (why we label figures).
All 8 grants compared
| Grant | Monthly amount | Who it's for | Means test |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRD Grant | R370 | 18–60, unemployed, no other income | Income under R624/month, checked monthly |
| Child Support Grant | R590* | Primary caregiver of a child under 18 | Annual income limit; doubled if married |
| Older Persons Grant | R2,400* (R2,420* if 75+) | 60 years and older | Income and asset thresholds |
| Disability Grant | R2,400* | 18–59, unable to work due to disability | Income and asset thresholds + medical assessment |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,290* | Foster parents with a court order | No means test |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,400* | Caregiver of a child with severe disability | Income threshold + medical assessment |
| Grant-in-Aid | R560* | Grant recipients needing full-time care | Attached to a qualifying grant |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,420* | Veterans 60+ or disabled | Income and asset thresholds |
Which grant should you look at first?
- Unemployed, 18–60 → the SRD grant — and check what else applies with the benefits checker.
- Caring for any child under 18 → the Child Support Grant — the most under-claimed grant in the system.
- 60 or older → the Older Persons Grant, regardless of work history.
- Unable to work for medical reasons → the Disability Grant via a medical assessment.
- Raising a grandchild or relative's child → Child Support (no court order needed) or Foster Child (court order, higher amount) — compare the situations.
How grants work, briefly
Permanent grants are applied for in person at a SASSA office (see how to apply) with your ID and supporting documents; most involve a means test on income and assets. Once approved, they pay monthly on published dates until circumstances change or a review affects them. The SRD grant is the exception: online, monthly-checked, and covered in its own complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
When do the amounts increase?
Annually, announced at the Budget (usually with a smaller October adjustment some years), effective April. We track each change against the Gazette on the increases page as it goes live.
Are grants taxed?
No — social grants are not taxable income.
How do I check a grant application status?
For SRD, use the online status check. Permanent-grant applications get a receipt at the office and outcomes by SMS/letter — the office and 0800 60 10 11 can check progress.
Verified information
- Responsible body
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
- Official source
- sassa.gov.za
- Status
- Confirmed, some figures pending
- Date verified
- Confidence
- High confidence
Process and eligibility rules confirmed against official sources. Amounts marked * are widely reported 2026 figures still being traced to the Government Gazette.
SA Benefits is independent and not affiliated with SASSA or government. Editorial guidance on this page is clearly separated from official information — see how we verify.
What's changed on this page (1)
First published and checked against official sources. Future changes to figures, deadlines or processes will be listed here rather than silently edited.
Site-wide corrections are logged publicly in the corrections register.
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