SRD grant extended for another year; old age, foster care grants increase
As of 1 April, the old age grant, war veterans grant and care dependency grant will increase by R130, pushing the monthly stipend to R2,315.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the national budget for 2025 - weeks after it was postponed due to disagreements within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Picture credit: Phando at Parliament
CAPE TOWN - The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has been extended for yet another year despite government appealing a court ruling over the eligibility criteria and the permanence of the grant.
Thirty-five point two billion rand has been allocated to keep the monthly grant, first introduced during the COVID pandemic almost five years ago, at R370.
While other categories of grants will be increased above inflation, pensioners and other recipients will still be on the losing end.
More than R284 Billion has been allocated for Social Grants.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 12, 2025
1. Old age and Disability grant: R2 315
2. Child support grant: R560
3. Foster care grant: R1 250
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has been extend by another year. #BudgetSpeech2025 pic.twitter.com/P8ltoDyJx3
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has made reductions to what he had originally planned to table in February, owing in part to the reduced value-added tax (VAT) increase proposal of 0.5%.
The number of social grant beneficiaries, excluding those who receive the SRD grant, is expected to rise from 19 million beneficiaries in this financial year by another 300,000 in the next year, primarily due to a growing older population.
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As of 1 April, the old age grant, war veterans grant and care dependency grant will increase by R130, pushing the monthly stipend to R2,315.
This is R20 less than Godongwana planned to offer them in February.
The foster care grant increases by R70 to R1,250.
The finance minister said that expanding the basket of zero-rated food items would help cushion the blow of a VAT increase.
"The truth is, ours is one of the most comprehensive social safety nets among emerging economies. This reflects our commitment to addressing poverty and inequality, while keeping our spending sustainable."
The child support grant will increase to R560, less than the R50 increase Godongwana planned to offer in last month’s untabled budget.