On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Andile Tshona, spokesperson for South African Social Security Agency announced that the monthly R10 increase would be applied to most social grants, a move tied to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's 2025/2026 budget. The payments, which touch over 28 million South Africans, aim to blunt the impact of a 4.4 % Consumer Price Index rise recorded in August.
Why the October boost matters
The adjustment is the second quarterly increase of 2025, following a July raise that also added R10 to most benefits. Under the Social Assistance Act of 2004, the Treasury must review grant values each quarter and recommend changes based on inflation data. By aligning the October rise with the latest CPI figures, the government hopes to preserve purchasing power for essentials such as food, transport, and electricity.
Payment schedule and the numbers behind the rise
Payments kick off with the Older Persons Grant on October 2, followed by the Disability Grant on October 3, and a cascade of Children’s Grants on October 6. Disbursement is staggered according to the last three digits of beneficiaries' ID numbers, a method designed to avoid bottlenecks at cash‑pay points and bank branches.
- Older Persons Grant – reported at R2,310 to R2,320 (some sources say R2,280 to R2,290).
- Disability Grant – now R2,320 (alternatively R2,290).
- Child Support Grant – lifted to R530 (or R520 to R530).
- War Veterans’ Grant – R2,340 (previously R2,330).
- Care Dependency Grant – R2,320.
Two reputable South African outlets, Citizen.co.za and Eyewitness News, published slightly different figures, a discrepancy that has raised questions about communication consistency within SASSA.
How the money reaches recipients
SASSA’s distribution network leans on the South African Post Office, major banks such as ABSA, First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, plus rural cash‑pay points. For seniors and persons with disabilities, the schedule gives priority to early‑day slots, acknowledging mobility constraints.
Voices from the field: civil society and beneficiaries
Black Sash, the veteran watchdog founded in 1955, issued a statement that the R10 uplift “does not keep pace with soaring electricity tariffs and fuel prices,” warning that many households will still feel the pinch. Meanwhile, a small group of pensioners in Pretoria, the city where SASSA’s headquarters sit, described the increase as a “welcome sigh of relief,” yet expressed concern that it may be a stop‑gap rather than a long‑term solution.
Economic backdrop: inflation, CPI and the budget line
South Africa’s CPI climbed 4.4 % in August, driven largely by higher electricity tariffs, diesel, and basic food items. Finance Minister Godongwana’s budget earmarked an extra R1.5 billion for social assistance, a figure that the National Treasury approved after consulting the Department of Social Development. The Treasury’s decision follows Section 11(2) of the Social Assistance Act, which obliges the Minister of Finance to set the percentage adjustment each fiscal year.
What’s next? Looking ahead to January 2026
The next quarterly review is slated for January 2026. Analysts at the University of Pretoria’s School of Development Studies predict that, should inflation stay above 4 %, the government may need to consider a larger uplift or a targeted supplement for the most vulnerable groups.
Key facts
- Grant payments began on 2 October 2025.
- R10 increase applies to most grants, affecting 28 million beneficiaries.
- Inflation measured at 4.4 % in August 2025.
- Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana approved the increase in the 2025/2026 budget.
- Next review expected in January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the R10 increase affect pensioners receiving the Older Persons Grant?
For most recipients the grant rises from roughly R2,310 to R2,320 per month, a modest 0.4 % boost. While the extra cash eases the cost of staple foods, it barely offsets higher electricity bills, meaning many seniors still face tight budgets.
Why are there two different sets of grant figures in the media?
SASSA released an official table, but some outlets quoted earlier internal memos. The discrepancy stems from a brief administrative update that shifted the base amounts by R10 after the initial press release.
What role does Black Sash play in the grant debate?
Black Sash monitors grant policy and advocates for beneficiaries. Its latest comment argues that the R10 uplift is insufficient given rising utility costs, urging the Treasury to consider a larger, targeted supplement.
How are the payments actually delivered to recipients?
Beneficiaries can collect cash at the South African Post Office, receive electronic transfers through ABSA, First National Bank, Nedbank or Standard Bank, or pick up payments at designated rural cash‑pay points. The schedule is staggered by the last three digits of the ID number.
What can we expect from the January 2026 review?
If inflation remains above 4 %, experts say the Treasury may raise grants by a larger margin or introduce a supplemental payment for the poorest households. The outcome will depend on budget constraints and political will.
Arundhati Barman Roy
October 21, 2025 AT 22:26The R10 uplift, while modest, fails to address the soaring elecricity costs that many pensioners face daily. Under the current CPI figures, a four‑point four percent rise translates to a higher burden on food and transport. The government's reliance on a token increase appears more like a symbolic gesture than a real solution. Sadly, beneficiaries will still struggle to make ends meet.