The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced a notable increase in social grants for 2025, providing some financial relief to millions of beneficiaries amidst rising living costs. The adjustments, ranging from 5.7% to 5.9%, surpass last year’s 4.9% increase, signaling an effort to better support low-income individuals and families.
Key Grant Increases
The increases affect several key grants:
- The Older Persons and War Veterans Grants will rise by R130, reaching R2,315.
- The Child Support Grant will see an R30 increase, bringing it to R560.
- Other grants, such as Disability and Care Dependency, will also benefit from similar adjustments.
Overall, this initiative aims to help the over 4 million elderly and approximately 13 million children reliant on social support.
Operational Challenges
Despite these positive changes, SASSA faces ongoing operational challenges. Significant issues include the slow rollout of Postbank’s new black cards, with only 30% of beneficiaries transitioned, and administrative instability due to leadership uncertainties and fraud concerns. These hurdles may affect the timely distribution of the increased grants, with payment schedules anticipated in early April.
Beneficiaries are advised to stay informed about these developments to ensure they continue receiving their grants without disruption.
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