SASSA grant top-ups for October 2026 remain undecided

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) manages several types of social assistance, including the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, and Child Support Grant. To qualify for the R350 monthly SRD grant, applicants must be permanent residents or valid asylum seekers/refugees, aged between 18 and 60, unemployed, and pass a means test indicating monthly income does not exceed R624.

Regarding future payments, the status of SASSA grant top-ups for October 2026 remains undecided for many core beneficiaries. While the 2026 Budget increased several grants in April—such as the Older Person and Disability grants to R2,400—official confirmation for October increases has not been released. The only confirmed adjustment in the Treasury’s Budget Review is a R10 increase for the SASSA Foster Care grant, raising it from R1,290 to R1,300.