Social grant beneficiaries are set to receive inflation-aligned increases after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced additional funding for social assistance in the 2026/27 national budget.
Presenting the Budget in Cape Town, Godongwana said government has allocated R292.8 billion for social grants to fund the adjustments.
National Treasury noted that social grants remain the largest component of spending within the social development portfolio, reflecting their role as a key support mechanism for vulnerable households.
The old age, disability and care dependency grants will each increase by R80, bringing the monthly payment to R2,400. The war veterans grant will also rise by R80 to R2,420.
The foster care grant will increase by R40 to R1,290 in April, followed by a further R10 adjustment in October, taking it to R1,300.
Meanwhile, the child support grant and the grant-in-aid will each rise by R20 to R580 per month.
Government has also set aside an additional R36.4 billion for the Social Relief of Distress grant, extending payments at the current rate of R370 per beneficiary until 31 March 2027.
The increases aim to help households keep pace with rising costs, offering modest relief even if it may feel more like a nudge than a windfall in today’s economy.