Beneficiaries of SASSA grants are set for small payment increases from 1 April 2026, with one major exception: the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will not rise and will remain at R370 through 31 March 2027.
For most long-running, permanent grants, the adjustments come out to about 3.6%–3.7%, slightly edging above the current inflation outlook.
This means older South Africans and people receiving assistance for disability, care dependency, and child support can expect modest month-to-month relief as the new financial year begins.
South Africa SASSA grant increases from April 2026: what beneficiaries need to know
At the heart of the update is a set of straightforward changes across several grant categories. Several grants will increase by a similar amount, though the totals vary depending on the original payment level.
Government communication attached to the 2026 Budget Review confirms the increases for the 2026/27 financial year, effective April 2026 payments.
One of the most important points is that the SRD grant, commonly referred to as the R370 grant, will remain unchanged. That makes the SRD an outlier compared with the other regular grants that will move upward.
Officials say these updates also come with renewed efforts to improve the accuracy of eligibility checks inside the grant system, including verification measures aimed at reducing fraud and incorrect payments.
How much will each SASSA grant increase in April 2026?
For many recipients, the monthly increase is small but meaningful, especially for households that rely on social assistance to cover basics like food, transport, and essential medication.
The increases announced for most permanent grants follow a clear pattern. For example, several grants tied to life circumstances will rise by R85, while other categories receive R40 or R20 increases depending on the type of benefit.
Here is how the revised monthly amounts look from April 2026, based on the latest published figures:
- Old age grant: increases from R2,315 to R2,400 per month.
- War veterans grant: increases from R2,335 to R2,420 per month.
- Disability grant: increases from R2,315 to R2,400 per month.
- Care dependency grant: increases from R2,315 to R2,400 per month.
- Foster care grant: increases from R1,250 to R1,290 per month.
- Child support grant: increases from R560 to R580 per month.
- Grant-in-aid: increases from R560 to R580 per month.
- SRD grant (COVID-19 SRD): remains at R370 per month, with payments extended until 31 March 2027.
In practical terms, the R85 changes affect many of the largest monthly payments, meaning the budget adjustment will be most noticeable among recipients in those categories.
The smaller rises—such as the R20 increase for child support and grant-in-aid—still matter to families, particularly where multiple household expenses are covered by one or two grants.
When will SASSA pay in April 2026?
Payment dates are scheduled by grant type, and the April 2026 calendar includes specific days for different beneficiaries. This helps reduce delays and supports smoother processing.
According to the published schedule, the first April payment date is for older persons.
- Older Persons Grant: 2 April 2026 (Thursday)
- Disability Grants: 3 April 2026 (Friday)
- Children’s Grants and all other grants: 6 April 2026 (Monday)
Beneficiaries who receive different types of grants are still advised to check their own payment schedule carefully, since dates can differ by category.
If you’re expecting payment, it can also help to plan for bank processing time—especially for recipients receiving funds through digital or electronic channels.
More verification, tighter checks—what changes for beneficiaries?
The increases are not the only development. Alongside higher amounts, SASSA and Treasury-linked processes will involve tighter eligibility checks and more frequent reviews.
Treasury says SASSA’s funding for 2025/26 was made conditional on improvements including better biometric and income verification, stronger compliance processes, and more regular assessments.
System upgrades already flagged large numbers of applicants for review, and in some cases, grants were stopped where recipients did not meet the required criteria. Government messaging suggests this has contributed to projected savings running into several billion rand over the medium term.
However, advocacy groups have repeatedly cautioned that harsh verification can unintentionally exclude vulnerable people. For example, individuals who struggle to provide documents, update records, or manage digital processes may be at greater risk of delays or rejection.
SASSA beneficiaries are therefore encouraged to keep their information accurate and ensure their contact details and personal records remain consistent.
SRD R370 status, applications, and where to get help
For the SRD grant, eligibility and payment depend on monthly assessment. Even after approval, income and other checks can be repeated before the next payment cycle.
To apply for the SRD R370, beneficiaries are directed to use official SASSA pathways such as:
- Online: the official SRD portal at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/
- WhatsApp: the official line 082 046 8553 (via the GovChat/SASSA route)
- USSD: dial 1347737# (no data required)
If you already applied and want to check your 370 SASSA status, SASSA offers several options:
- Status website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status
- WhatsApp: contact 082 046 8553 and follow the prompts
- SMS route: send STATUS plus your ID number to 32555
- Assistance in person or by phone: call 0800 60 1011 or visit a nearby SASSA office
When it comes to updates, beneficiaries should be especially careful with banking details. For most permanent grants, changes like payment methods generally need to be done in person at SASSA offices, supported by documents and biometrics.
For the SRD grant, changing banking information is handled through the official SRD portal, where SASSA sends a secure link by SMS for verification.
A key requirement across SRD payments is that the account must belong to the beneficiary—SASSA cannot pay into a third-party account. If a person uses the cash-send option, the linked phone number must also meet registration requirements.
For recipients facing technical problems, the safest fallback is contacting SASSA directly using official channels, particularly when portal access becomes difficult.
These April 2026 changes bring welcome relief for many South Africans, but they also underline that access to grants remains closely managed through verification and eligibility review processes.