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:

1. Old‑age grants – October 2, 2025
2. Disability grants – October 3, 2025
3. Children’s grants – October 6, 2025
4. 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.