How the SASSA grants page works
Last updated 10 November 2026
SASSA, the South African Social Security Agency, pays social grants to older people, people with disabilities, children and others who qualify. This page gathers the amounts that took effect on 1 April 2026, the means test limits, the payment dates and the steps to apply, and says where each figure came from.
How it works
- Read the table of grant amounts and find the grant that fits you.
- Use the means test check: pick the grant, say whether you are married, and enter your yearly income and assets.
- See whether you are within the limits, and look up your payment date and the documents to take.
Worked example
With the starting figures:
- For the older persons grant, the yearly income limit for a single person is R 112 200 and the asset limit is R 1 584 000.
- An income of R 84 000 and assets of R 600 000 are within the limits.
Where the grant amounts come from
The amounts come from the Budget Speech of 25 February 2026 and the Department of Social Development’s statement on the 2026/27 increases. We read them on 10 November 2026. The older persons, disability and care dependency grants are R 2 400. The child support grant is R 580. There is a top-up to the child support grant for some children cared for by relatives. We could not confirm the 2026 amount, so none is shown.
The means test limits
These limits are from the National Treasury’s 2026 Estimates of National Expenditure, Vote 19 Social Development. SASSA’s own pages do not print them. They also follow the formulas in the Social Assistance Regulations, which give SASSA’s published 2025 limits exactly. Confirm your own case with SASSA.
For a single person the yearly income limit for the older persons, disability and war veterans grants is R 112 200 and the asset limit is R 1 584 000. The child support limit is R 69 600 a year in income. Income and assets include your spouse’s if you are married. The foster child grant has no means test.
For the older persons, disability and war veterans grants SASSA uses a sliding scale. Being under the limit means you may qualify, and the amount paid can drop as income rises. SASSA makes the decision.
Payment dates
SASSA pays older persons first, then people with disabilities, then children, over three days at the start of each month. Dates can change, as they did for the November 2026 elections. The table shows the dates published by the Department of Social Development and SAnews. Check with SASSA before you travel to collect.
Applying, appeals and staying safe
Applying is free. SASSA never asks for money or a PIN. Report fraud on the anti-fraud line.
If SASSA turns you down you can ask for the decision to be reconsidered, normally within 90 days. If you are still unhappy you can appeal to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals. SRD appeals go through the SRD appeals site. Check the current steps with SASSA.
A grant lapses if you do not claim it for 90 days. Tell SASSA if you will be outside South Africa for more than 90 days. A suspended grant must be restored within 30 days.
SASSA pays into a personal bank account in the beneficiary’s name. Postbank Black Cards replaced the Gold Cards.
What this page does not cover
We left out figures we could not confirm from an official document: the 2026 child support top-up, the SRD income limit and cash pay points. This is information from public documents, not advice, and SASSA makes the final decision on every application. Read the full disclaimer.
Things to watch
- SASSA never asks for money, a PIN or your card. Report fraud on the anti-fraud line.
- Amounts and dates can change. Confirm with SASSA on the call centre number.
Related: the minimum wage calculator, the take-home pay calculator and the Home Affairs fees checklist.