Millions of South Africans who rely on social grants can expect to receive their payments during the first week of July, following confirmation of the latest payment schedule by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
Social grants remain a critical source of income for many households across the country. According to recent data, around 40% of South Africans and approximately half of all households benefited from social grants in 2023.
Earlier this year, Parliament allocated R292.8 billion towards social grants for the 2026/27 financial year, highlighting the significant role the programme continues to play in supporting vulnerable citizens.
Several grants were increased during the current financial year. The Older Persons Grant was raised by R80 to R2,400 per month, while the War Veterans Grant increased by R80 to R2,420. The Foster Care Grant rose by R40 to R1,300 per month, while both the Child Support Grant and Grant-in-Aid increased by R20 to R580 per month.
SASSA has confirmed the following payment dates for July 2026:
- Older Persons Grant: Thursday, 2 July 2026
- Disability Grant and Care Dependency Grant: Friday, 3 July 2026
- Child Support Grant: Monday, 6 July 2026
- Exceptions and outstanding payments: Tuesday, 7 July 2026
The agency has also announced that payments for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant will be processed between 24 and 25 June 2026.
Beneficiaries are advised to monitor SMS notifications and official SASSA communication platforms, as payment dates for certain grants, including the SRD Grant, may vary.
SASSA was established in April 2005 to centralise the administration and distribution of social grants in South Africa. However, many grants, including the Older Persons Grant and Disability Grant, had been available to qualifying beneficiaries long before the agency's creation.
When SASSA officially began operations in April 2006, approximately 10 million grants were being paid to beneficiaries nationwide. Since then, the agency has grown into one of the country's most important social support institutions.
With unemployment remaining a major challenge, social grants continue to provide a vital safety net for millions of households. The grants help older persons meet daily living expenses, support people living with disabilities, and provide assistance to vulnerable children, including orphans and those in foster care.
For many families, these monthly payments remain an essential source of financial relief, helping to reduce poverty and improve access to basic necessities during difficult economic conditions.