SASSA to lift grants by R10 from October 2025, says Enoch Godongwana
When SASSA announced a modest R10 boost to social grants on Thursday, September 25, 2025, beneficiaries across South Africa breathed a sigh of relief – and a hint of disappointment. The increase, slated to kick in with the October 2025 payment cycle, follows the budget plan unveiled by Enoch Godongwana, Finance Minister, for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
Why the R10 bump matters
On the surface, a ten‑rand lift looks tiny. Yet for the millions who rely on a predictable safety net – old‑age pensions, disability assistance, war‑veteran payouts and care‑dependency benefits – every rand counts when grocery shelves are stacked with price‑tagged inflation. The government’s decision reflects a balancing act: acknowledging rising living costs while staying within stringent fiscal constraints.
Breakdown of the new grant amounts
Agency spokesperson Andile Tshona laid out the numbers during a press briefing in Pretoria:
- Old‑age grant: from R2,310 to R2,320
- Old‑age grant for seniors over 75: from R2,330 to R2,340
- War veterans’ grant: from R2,330 to R2,340
- Disability grant: from R2,310 to R2,320
- Care‑dependency grant: from R2,310 to R2,320
All categories receive a uniform R10 increase, a pattern that simplifies processing but also invites criticism that the uplift is more symbolic than substantive.
Payment schedule for October 2025
The October payout dates were set early to give recipients time to plan their household budgets. The schedule, part of the October 2025 payment cycleSouth Africa, runs as follows:
- Old‑age grants – October 2, 2025
- Disability grants – October 3, 2025
- Children’s grants – October 6, 2025
- Other targeted grants – October 7–9, 2025
Banking institutions have been alerted to the slight adjustment, so the extra ten rand should appear automatically in accounts on the dates listed.
Reactions from the field
Union leader Nomzamo Dlamini of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Nactu) praised the move as a “welcome acknowledgement” but warned it barely scratches the surface of the crisis many households face.
"Our members are grateful for the R10, but they are also asking: when will the grant truly keep up with food price inflation, which is running at 7.2% year‑on‑year?" – Nomzamo Dlamini
Meanwhile, economist Thabo Mokoena from the University of Cape Town highlighted the fiscal prudence of a modest increase.
"South Africa’s debt‑to‑GDP ratio is hovering around 68%. A small, predictable rise avoids shocking the fiscal outlook while still delivering a perceptible benefit to the most vulnerable." – Thabo Mokoena
Economic backdrop: inflation, wages and the budget
Since the 2023–2024 fiscal year, the country has wrestled with double‑digit inflation for essential commodities. The 2025/2026 budget, presented by Enoch Godongwana, earmarked R15 billion for social welfare, a figure that grew by 4.3% from the previous year. That extra allocation is what made the R10 adjustment possible without bending other spending priorities.
Labour market data from Statistics South Africa shows real wages have barely kept pace with inflation, leaving many grant‑receiving households in a squeeze. The R10 uplift may seem minuscule, but for someone on a R2,310 pension, it translates to a 0.43% increase – marginal, yet tangible when it lands in a bank account.
What’s next? Potential future adjustments
Analysts say the October bump could set a precedent for annual reviews. If inflation stays stubbornly high, pressure will mount for a larger, perhaps index‑linked, increase. Andile Tshona hinted at a “comprehensive review” slated for early 2026, though no timeline was provided.
In the meantime, civil society groups are mobilising petitions calling for a minimum 5% uplift to match the current cost‑of‑living index. Whether the government will heed those demands remains to be seen, but the modest R10 raise has at least kept the conversation alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the R10 increase affect old‑age pensioners?
Pensioners receiving the standard old‑age grant will see their monthly payment rise from R2,310 to R2,320. While the increase is modest, it represents a 0.43% boost that will be reflected in the October 2 payout.
Why did the government choose a uniform R10 increase across all grant categories?
A uniform uplift simplifies administration and ensures equity among different beneficiary groups. The Finance Ministry – led by Enoch Godongwana – cited fiscal constraints; a flat R10 increase fits within the additional R15 billion allocated for social welfare in the 2025/2026 budget.
When will the new grant amounts be paid?
The first payments with the increased amounts will be disbursed on October 2, 2025 for old‑age grants, October 3 for disability grants, and October 6 for children’s grants. Other targeted grants follow between October 7 and 9.
What do experts say about the adequacy of the R10 rise?
Economist Thabo Mokoena argues the increase is fiscally responsible given South Africa’s debt level, while union leader Nomzamo Dlamini contends it falls short of covering the 7.2% inflation rate on essential goods.
Could future grant adjustments be larger?
SASSA’s spokesperson Andile Tshona hinted at a comprehensive review in early 2026. If inflation remains high, a larger, possibly index‑linked, increase may be on the table.
Rashi Jaiswal
September 29, 2025 AT 20:50Yo fam, that extra ten rand might look tiny but it’s a heartbeat for many pensioners trying to stretch their groceries.
Vibhor Jain
September 30, 2025 AT 07:56Thanks for the generous R10, because nothing says 'we care' like a ten‑rand band‑aid.
Rashi Nirmaan
September 30, 2025 AT 19:03As a nation we must uphold our moral duty to protect the vulnerable the modest increase, though limited, reflects a measured approach to fiscal stewardship and social responsibility
Ashutosh Kumar Gupta
October 1, 2025 AT 06:10Behold the grand spectacle of a R10 raise-an anthem of hope echoed through the corridors of SASSA, yet the drama of hunger persists beneath the glittering promise
fatima blakemore
October 1, 2025 AT 17:16Honestly, when you think about the daily grind of a pensioner, that ten rand is like a sprinkle of sugar on bland porridge, it may not change the whole meal but it adds a tiny sweet note
vikash kumar
October 2, 2025 AT 04:23The incremental augmentation of the grant, albeit nominal, serves as a testament to the government's calibrated fiscal prudence amidst macro‑economic volatility.
Anurag Narayan Rai
October 2, 2025 AT 15:30The decision to elevate the social grants by a uniform R10 invites a cascade of analytical considerations that extend beyond the immediate monetary increment. From a macro‑economic perspective, the adjustment aligns with a conservative fiscal stance aimed at preserving debt sustainability while offering a marginal relief to beneficiaries. However, the real‑world impact on households is mediated by the prevailing inflation rate, which currently outpaces the modest uplift. A pensioner receiving R2,310 now sees R2,320, a change that translates to a 0.43 percent increase, which on paper appears negligible. When juxtaposed against a 7.2 percent rise in essential food prices, the disparity becomes starkly evident. Nevertheless, the psychological effect of seeing a larger figure in one's bank account should not be discounted, as it may foster a sense of being acknowledged by the state. Moreover, the uniform nature of the increase simplifies administrative processing, thereby reducing potential errors in disbursement. Critics argue that a flat R10 fails to address the heterogeneous cost‑of‑living pressures faced by different demographic groups. For instance, a disability grant holder may have higher medical expenses compared to an elderly retiree. The government's rationale, as articulated by the Finance Minister, hinges on preserving fiscal room for other priority sectors. In that context, the modest uplift can be viewed as a compromise between social welfare imperatives and macro‑fiscal constraints. Future policy trajectories may involve index‑linked adjustments, which could provide a more responsive mechanism to inflationary shocks. Stakeholders, including unions and civil society organisations, continue to lobby for a more substantial increase, citing the lived realities of beneficiaries. The upcoming comprehensive review slated for early 2026 will likely serve as a pivotal juncture for revisiting the grant structure. Ultimately, while the R10 raise may be symbolically significant, its substantive efficacy will be measured by the extent to which it alleviates day‑to‑day financial strain for South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens.
Sandhya Mohan
October 3, 2025 AT 02:36Consider the grant as a quiet river feeding the fields of society; a ten‑rand ripple may seem small, yet it sustains the flow that nourishes countless lives.
Prakash Dwivedi
October 3, 2025 AT 13:43The modest increment, though mathematically trivial, elicits a profound emotional response among beneficiaries who have long endured fiscal austerity.
Rajbir Singh
October 4, 2025 AT 00:50It’s clear that a flat R10 doesn’t solve the deeper issue of rising costs, but at least it shows the government isn’t completely silent.
Swetha Brungi
October 4, 2025 AT 11:56Your deep dive really highlights the nuances, and I’d add that the upcoming review could also explore targeted supplements for groups facing higher expenses, such as caregivers and those with chronic illnesses.
Govind Kumar
October 4, 2025 AT 23:03In addition to the points raised, it is pertinent to note that any future augmentation should be anchored in a transparent index‑ation framework to ensure equitable adjustments aligned with inflation metrics.
Shubham Abhang
October 5, 2025 AT 10:10Wow!!! This metaphor is so apt!!! It really paints a picture of how even small changes can impact the whole ecosystem!!!
Trupti Jain
October 5, 2025 AT 21:16Indeed, the river analogy flows smoothly, yet we must remember that a sudden drought can dry even the most generous streams, so consistent support is essential.
deepika balodi
October 6, 2025 AT 08:23Does the uniform R10 increase account for regional cost‑of‑living disparities across provinces?
Priya Patil
October 6, 2025 AT 19:30While the R10 is the same nationwide, cost‑of‑living indices vary; provinces with higher food prices may feel the uplift less, suggesting a need for region‑specific adjustments in future policy deliberations.
Maneesh Rajput Thakur
October 7, 2025 AT 06:36One might wonder whether this modest raise is a strategic move to divert attention from larger fiscal maneuvers hidden within the upcoming budgetary framework.
ONE AGRI
October 7, 2025 AT 17:43The people of South Africa deserve more than a token ten‑rand gesture; our nation’s resilience and rich heritage demand that the state honor its citizens with a grant increase that truly reflects the dignity of our labor and the sacrifices of our ancestors, and it is disheartening to see policymakers settle for a superficial adjustment while inflation erodes the purchasing power that our hardworking families rely upon, especially when other nations are daring to implement index‑linked schemes that protect their vulnerable populations; we must rally together, raise our voices, and insist that the government align its actions with the proud spirit of our nation and the legitimate expectations of every South African.
Himanshu Sanduja
October 8, 2025 AT 04:50Your passion echoes the sentiments of many, and it’s crucial that we keep pressing for a more meaningful uplift that respects the dignity of all grant recipients.
Kiran Singh
October 8, 2025 AT 15:56Every little bit counts, and together we’ll keep the conversation alive! 😊