Starting May 1, 2025, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officially rolled out increased social grant amounts for millions of South Africans.
With rising food prices, transport costs, and healthcare expenses, this update offers some welcome financial relief to vulnerable families and individuals.
If you rely on a SASSA grant or care for someone who does, here’s a simple breakdown of what’s changed, when to collect your payments, and what’s coming next.
New Amounts
Let’s get straight to the numbers — here’s how much more beneficiaries are receiving from May 2025:
| Grant Type | Increase (R) | New Monthly Amount (R) |
|---|---|---|
| Older Persons (60-74 yrs) | R130 | R2,315 |
| Older Persons (75+ yrs) | R135 | R2,335 |
| Disability Grant | R130 | R2,315 |
| War Veterans Grant | R130 | R2,315 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R130 | R2,315 |
| Foster Care Grant | R70 | R1,250 |
| Child Support Grant | R30 | R560 |
| Social Relief (SRD) Grant | R20 | R370 |
These increases are now active and have already been paid out to qualifying beneficiaries this May.
Child Support
Special attention was given to grants supporting children and caregivers.
The Foster Care Grant rose to R1,250 per child, while the Child Support Grant increased to R560. These adjustments help ease the burden of rising household, schooling, and healthcare costs, directly benefitting some of the country’s most vulnerable children.
SRD Update
In a long-awaited move, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant went up by R20, bringing it to R370 per month. While modest, it’s the first SRD increase in several years — signaling government’s acknowledgment of growing financial pressures on unemployed and struggling citizens.
Payment Dates
Here’s a quick reminder of the May 2025 SASSA payment schedule:
- Older Persons Grant: Thursday, 1 May 2025
- Disability Grant: Friday, 2 May 2025
- Children’s Grants (Foster & Child Support): Monday, 5 May 2025
Pro tip: even if you can’t collect your grant on the scheduled date, the money stays in your account until you’re ready.
October Boost
Good news — there’s another increase scheduled for October 2025 for certain grants:
| Grant Type | October Increase (R) | New Amount (R) |
|---|---|---|
| Older Persons (60-74 yrs) | +R10 | R2,325 |
| Older Persons (75+ yrs) | +R10 | R2,345 |
| Disability Grant | +R10 | R2,325 |
| War Veterans & Care Dependency | +R10 | R2,325 |
The Child Support and Foster Care Grants will remain unchanged in October.
No Double Pay
Some beneficiaries assumed they received double payments in May — but this isn’t the case. The confusion arose because of the two-phase increase plan: one in May and another small one in October.
Each is a scheduled, once-off increase, not a duplicated monthly payout.
New Cards
SASSA is currently replacing the old SASSA Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards. The deadline was March but has now been extended to June 2025 to give everyone enough time to switch over without missing future payments.
Significant
The May 2025 SASSA grant increases offer meaningful, though modest, relief to millions of South Africans.
With another round of increases set for October and new payment cards being rolled out, it’s crucial for beneficiaries to stay updated, keep their details current, and track payment schedules.
While challenges remain, these updates show progress toward better financial protection for the country’s most vulnerable.
FAQs
How much is the SASSA SRD grant now?
It’s R370 per month after a R20 increase in May 2025.
When are May 2025 SASSA grants paid out?
From May 1–5, 2025, based on grant type.
Are SASSA grants increasing again in 2025?
Yes, another small increase comes in October 2025.
Do I need a new SASSA card in 2025?
Yes — switch to the Postbank Black Card by June 2025.
Was there a double grant payment in May?
No, it was a scheduled increase — not a double payment.
