Social grant recipients say they were disappointed after the old age and child support grant increases were announced yesterday. 

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented the increases during the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament. 

Godongwana stated that the old age grant would increase from R2 315 to R2 400, and the child support grant would rise by R20 to R580. 

‘Increase not enough’ 

Single mother of two, Florah Sitoe (27) from Mpumalanga, says the increase is not enough because the cost of living is high. 

Sitoe has a qualification in environmental management but has been struggling to find employment. 

“I qualified last year and since then, I have been unable to get a job. The unemployment rate in our country is high. I try to earn money doing odd jobs like washing people’s laundry, but it is not a steady income,” she adds. 

Sitoe says she relies on the child support grant because it helps her provide for her children. 

Struggling to make ends meet 

“We live in an informal settlement and I have to make sure we have enough money for electricity vouchers and food. The grant itself is not enough and the R20 increase is not a big difference. It is disappointing and shameful that the government, knowing how high the cost of living is, gives us such a small increase,” she says. 

Sitoe feels the government needs to do proper research and review the amount allocated to the child support grant. 

Elderly most vulnerable 

Shaida Ali, a 65-year-old grandmother from KZN, was expecting more than an R80 increase. 

“I am not happy. The elderly are one of the most vulnerable communities in the country and we are not properly cared for by the government. Once we pay our utility bills, there is not enough money left for food,” she explains. 

Hoping for more 

Ali says she waits for the increase to be announced every year and hopes for a substantial increase, but adds that she is always disappointed. 

“I try to supplement the grant by doing clothing alterations for people, just so that I have enough money for the month. I hope the government will relook at grant payment and consider increasing it a little more,” she mentions. 

Despite recipients’ concerns, social grants remain the largest component of Social Development spending. SANews reports that social grants constitute the largest share of spending on social development.  

The Social Development budget is projected to grow at an average of 4.2% over the medium term, rising from R412.2b in 2025/26 to R466.4b in 2028/29. 

Other grant increases: 

• War veterans grant increases from R2 335 to R2 420. 

• Disability grant goes up from R2 315 to R2 400. 

• Foster care grant rises from R1 250 to R1 295. 

• Care dependency grant increases from R2 315 to R2 400. 

• The grant-in-aid increases from R560 to R580. 

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