For roughly 18 million South Africans who depend on social grants to survive, April 1, 2026 brings rare good news: the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is raising nearly all its permanent grants for the first time in the new financial year. But this increase comes wrapped in a warning — SASSA’s upgraded digital verification systems are already flagging and terminating grants at an unprecedented scale, and the same technology handing out more money is also quietly shutting the door on others.
The increases, confirmed in the 2026 Budget Review, range from R20 to R85 depending on the grant type — representing a roughly 3.6%–3.7% uplift across most categories, slightly ahead of current inflation running at around 3.5%. But the one grant that touches the most economically precarious South Africans — the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant — has been deliberately left frozen at R370 per month until at least March 2027, raising questions about government priorities in a year when cost-of-living pressures remain acute.
What changes and what doesn’t: the full April 2026 breakdown
The following amounts are sourced from the 2026 Budget Speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and confirmed in an official statement by SASSA CEO Themba Matlou.
| Grant type | Old amount | New amount (April 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old age grant | R2 315 | R2 400 | +R85 |
| War veterans grant | R2 335 | R2 420 | +R85 |
| Disability grant | R2 315 | R2 400 | +R85 |
| Care dependency grant | R2 315 | R2 400 | +R85 |
| Foster care grant | R1 250 | R1 290 | +R40 |
| Child support grant | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| Grant-in-aid | R560 | R580 | +R20 |
| SRD R370 grant | R370 | R370 | Frozen until March 2027 |
Sources: Moneyweb · BusinessTech · Daily Maverick · Official SASSA statement
When will your payment arrive in April?
SASSA follows a phased payment schedule, with different grant types paid on consecutive days. SASSA has confirmed that April 2026 payments will proceed as normal, with the agency awaiting final Treasury sign-off on the official dates. Based on the established schedule:
- Thursday, 2 April — Older Persons Grant
- Friday, 3 April — Disability Grants
- Monday, 6 April — Children’s Grants and all other grants
Note: SASSA senior media relations manager Andile Tshona told The Citizen that the proposed dates are with National Treasury for approval, and that beneficiaries should not be alarmed — “they will receive their grants as per usual.”
The other side of the coin: SASSA’s digital purge
Here is where the story gets complicated — and where Techmoni Africa’s readers need to pay close attention. National Treasury made SASSA’s 2025/26 funding explicitly conditional on improving biometric and income verification, conducting more frequent eligibility reviews, and strengthening fraud compliance. This is not an optional upgrade; it is a financial pre-condition tied directly to the agency’s budget.
The results are already visible in the data: by December 2025, SASSA had checked the bank accounts of about 6 million clients and 8 million credit bureau clients, flagging 291,581 beneficiaries for review. A further 34,661 grants were cancelled, generating expected savings of R170.7 million by end of 2025/26. Finance Minister Godongwana stated that enhanced authentication and tighter targeting are expected to yield R3 billion in savings overall.
Critical context — advocacy warning: A major analysis by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) found that between 2014 and 2025, roughly 75% of social grant fraud cases reported to police involved government officials, employees, or contractors — not beneficiaries. The IEJ warned that automated verification checks and inaccurate government databases can wrongly flag legitimate recipients, and that many grants are cancelled because beneficiaries fail to complete review processes, not because fraud was proven. If your grant was recently suspended or terminated, do not assume the decision is final. You have the right to appeal and to request a review at your nearest SASSA office.
The SRD freeze: who it hurts and why it matters
The SRD R370 grant was introduced as an emergency COVID-19 measure and has since become a permanent lifeline for millions of unemployed South Africans. Its monthly value of R370 has not increased, and government has now confirmed it will stay at R370 until 31 March 2027, with R36.4 billion allocated to extend it.
That freeze is notable for a specific reason: even a 3.6% inflation-aligned increase would bring the SRD to roughly R383 — a difference of just R13 per month. The political decision to hold the line on SRD while raising other grants by up to R85 reflects the government’s tension between fiscal consolidation and social protection, particularly as South Africa holds the unenviable record of the highest unemployment rate in the world, with the official rate standing at 31.4% in Q4 2025 — and 42.9%–44.9% when discouraged workers are included.
What this means in practice: The SRD grant is the only SASSA payment that is re-assessed every single month. Even if you were approved last month, SASSA checks your income and eligibility again before each payment. Missing an income verification step — or having a bank account show any deposit — can result in a declined payment without a formal termination notice.
How to apply for the SRD R370 grant
SASSA processes SRD applications entirely through digital channels. Use only official SASSA channels and submit one application only — duplicate applications cause delays and flags.
Option 1: Online via the SRD website
- Go to the official SRD site: srd.sassa.gov.za
- Select the option for South African ID holders.
- Enter your mobile number, click “Send SMS,” then enter the OTP received.
- Read and accept the declaration/consent so SASSA can verify your information, then submit.
- Enter personal details: ID number, name, surname, gender, disability status, cellphone number, and residential address.
- Enter employment and lifestyle sustainability information.
- Choose your payment option — a bank account is fastest. Capture the correct banking details if you have an account.
Option 2: WhatsApp
- Save and open the official SASSA/GovChat WhatsApp line: 082 046 8553.
- Send “Hi” and follow the prompts to “Apply for SRD R370.”
- Enter your ID/permit details, personal information, and payment choice when asked, then confirm and submit.
Option 3: USSD (basic phone, no data needed)
- Dial *134*7737# on your cellphone.
- Follow the menu for “SRD R370.”
- Enter your ID number, personal details, and preferred payment option, then confirm the application.
Note: SASSA assesses applications monthly, so even after first approval, your income is re-checked every month before payment.
How to check your SRD R370 status
Use the same ID number and contact details you provided when applying. SASSA provides several secure ways to check your status:
- Online: Visit srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status — enter your SA ID number and mobile number to see whether your application is approved, pending, or declined. If approved, payment dates will also be displayed.
- WhatsApp: Message 082 046 8553 and follow the prompts to provide your application ID and details. You will receive your grant status via chat.
- SMS: Send
STATUS [space] [your ID number]to 32555. - Call or visit in person: Call SASSA toll-free at 0800 60 1011, or visit your nearest SASSA office for in-person assistance, including biometric queries.
How to change your banking details
For permanent grants (old age, disability, child support, etc.)
Changes to banking details must be made in person at a SASSA office. SASSA will not pay into an account that is not solely in the beneficiary’s name — no joint or third-party accounts. Bring:
- Your original South African ID (plus a copy).
- A stamped bank statement no older than three months, or an official bank letter confirming the account is active and in your name.
Submit before the 15th of the month for changes to take effect the following payment cycle. Processing can take up to 21 working days.
For the SRD R370 grant
The process is fully online through srd.sassa.gov.za. Steps:
- Navigate to the official SASSA SRD portal and locate the “How do I change my banking details?” section.
- Enter your South African ID number (13 digits).
- SASSA will send a unique, secure link via SMS to your registered cellphone number.
- Click the link and follow the prompts to enter your new bank account information.
- Submit — the account must be in your name as it appears on your ID.
The new details will be sent to the bank for verification, which can take a few days to weeks. Updated details will only be used for future payments after successful verification.
If you experience difficulties with the portal, contact SASSA directly: call 0800 60 1011, email grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za, or visit your nearest SASSA local office.