South African citizens who receive government social assistance have good news this December. The South African Social Security Agency known as SASSA has started paying out higher monthly amounts for the Child Support Grant & the Older Persons Grant which is also called the Pension Grant. SASSA announced these changes as part of its 2025 social relief update. Children who qualify will now get R510 each month instead of the previous R500. Pensioners will receive R2180 monthly which provides important help as the cost of living continues to rise and inflation puts pressure on household budgets. These updated grant amounts are now being paid across the country. The timing of these new SASSA payments matters because thousands of families are dealing with expensive fuel prices & higher food costs while unemployment remains a serious problem. The government designed this increase as part of its wider 2025 plan to strengthen social protection & stop vulnerable people from sinking further into poverty.
SASSA Grant Increases Effective December 2025 – Full List of Updated Payments
The December2025 grant adjustments affect two of the most commonly used social assistance grants in South Africa: the Child Support Grant and the Older Persons Grant which is also known as the Pension Grant. These increases were recommended during the last budget speech and have been confirmed through official government channels. Key Changes in December 2025:
South African Parents Rejoice: R510 Child Grant and Free School Meals Now Fully Active Nationwide
– The Child Support Grant has increased from R500 to R510 per child.
– The Older Persons Grant has been raised from R2,090 to R2,180 per person.
– These increases became effective from 1 December 2025.
– Payments have already started reaching beneficiaries through their bank accounts and Post Office collections.
These revised amounts are intended to help families and pensioners manage rising costs for essentials such as food transport and utilities.
Compare the December 2025 SASSA Grant Changes – Previous vs New Amounts
| Grant Type | Previous Amount (Before December 2025) |
New Amount (From December 2025) |
Increase Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support Grant | R500 | R510 | R10 |
| Older Persons Grant | R2,090 | R2,180 | R90 |
| Disability Grant | R2,090 | R2,180 | R90 |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,130 | R1,180 | R50 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,110 | R2,200 | R90 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,090 | R2,180 | R90 |
| SRD R350 Grant | R350 (unchanged) | R350 | R0 |
| Grant-in-Aid | R510 | R520 | R10 |
Eligibility Rules Explained: Who Can Get the R510 Child and R2,180 Pension Grant?
SASSA grants are given out according to specific eligibility requirements. If you want to know whether you or someone in your family can receive these updated grants, here is a basic summary:
Requirements for the R510 Child Support Grant:
– The person applying must be the main caregiver of the child. This can be a parent or grandparent or legal guardian. The child needs to be younger than 18 years old.
– The household income each month must be below certain limits. For single parents this means earning less than R60,000 per year.
– For married couples the combined income must be under R120000 per year. Both the applicant and the child need to be South African citizens or permanent residents or refugees who have proper documentation.
Requirements for the R2,180 Older Persons Pension Grant:
– You must be at least 60 years old. You cannot be receiving other social grants for the same reason.
– Your income needs to be within the limits that SASSA sets. Single people must earn less than R96,840 per year.
– Married couples must earn less than R193680 combined per year. You need to be a South African citizen or have valid residency status.
December 2025 Payment Schedule – Dates When Beneficiaries Will Get Raised Grants
Steps to Check Your SASSA Grant Status and Confirm Your New Payment
All beneficiaries need to check their payment status regularly to make sure they receive their money on time. You can confirm your payment in several ways.
– You can visit the SASSA website at www.sassa.gov.za and go to the Grants section.
– For the SRD R350 grant you can check payment dates at srd.sassa.gov.za.
– Another option is to dial 12069277# on your phone to check your status.
– The official SASSA mobile app also gives you updates as they happen.
If your payment has not arrived after three working days you should contact your nearest SASSA office or Post Office right away.
Didn’t Receive the Updated SASSA Grant? Here’s What You Should Do
Some beneficiaries have reported that they are still getting the old payment amounts or experiencing delays with their grants. If you are facing this problem you should take the following steps.
– First check your bank account or the payment method you use to make sure the payment has not already arrived.
– Then contact the SASSA helpline by calling 0800 60 10 11 to report the issue.
– You can also go to your nearest SASSA office & bring your ID document and grant reference number with you.
– Another option is to submit a complaint through the official grievance portal on the SASSA website.
SASSA has confirmed that all beneficiaries will get the correct increased amounts by the middle of December 2025. The agency has also stated that any payment errors will be fixed within the same month.
Government’s 2025 Roadmap to Expand Grant Coverage Across South Africa
The Department of Social Development has said that additional increases and new relief programs might be launched later this year.
– A new budget amendment bill is expected in October 2025 and it may include a proposal to raise the SRD Grant from R350 to R400 along with expanded electricity support vouchers for indigent households & school nutrition and transportation subsidies for grant-receiving families.
These updates form part of the broader National Development Plan that aims to ensure no one is left behind during periods of economic hardship. The December 2025 increase in the SASSA Child Support and Pension Grants represents a major step in supporting the financial wellbeing of South Africa’s most vulnerable groups. With child grants raised to R510 and pension payments now at R2180 families and elderly citizens will gain much-needed breathing room. Beneficiaries are encouraged to check their payment status & ensure their details are updated while following all official communication from SASSA. This move by the government reaffirms its commitment to alleviating poverty and improving livelihoods amid tough economic times.
