As South Africa begins the new year, millions of social grant beneficiaries are preparing for the January 2026 payment cycle. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) plays a vital role in providing financial support to vulnerable individuals and families nationwide. Beneficiaries are keen to understand what changes, if any, are happening for the January 2026 grants, including payment dates, increases, and what this means for households struggling with rising costs of living.
Official Payment Dates for January 2026
For January 2026, SASSA has confirmed the social grant payment schedule. Older Persons’ Grants are set to begin from 6 January 2026, followed by Disability Grants on 7 January, and Children’s Grants on 8 January. SRD (Social Relief of Distress) R370 payments are scheduled between 25 and 31 January 2026.
These dates help beneficiaries plan their monthly budgets and manage essential expenses like food, transport, and utilities, especially during a time when holiday expenses may still impact savings.
Grant Amounts: What’s Been Adjusted?
Contrary to some expectations, January 2026 does not bring a major across-the-board increase in SASSA grant values. Instead, the grant amounts that beneficiaries will receive in January reflect previous adjustments—mainly those implemented in April and October 2025.
Here are the generally confirmed grant amounts as of January 2026:
Old Age Grant – around R2,315 (R2,335 for recipients aged 75 and above)
Disability Grant – around R2,315
War Veterans Grant – around R2,315
Care Dependency Grant – around R2,315
Foster Care Grant – around R1,250
Child Support Grant – around R560
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant – R370
These figures reflect annual and mid-year adjustments included in the national budget allocations for social grants.
Why January Doesn’t Bring a Big Increase
Unlike some years where grant increases take effect in January, SASSA 2026 increases have largely already been applied in 2025, with small adjustments handled through the national budget process. The focus for January 2026 is primarily on timely payments rather than new increases.
Grant increases usually depend on budget speeches, inflation trends, and government allocations, often announced months ahead of implementation. As a result, any further significant changes to grant amounts are more likely later in the year — such as in the April 2026 budget cycle, which traditionally brings more comprehensive adjustments.
Also Read: SASSA Announces New Year 2026 Grant Payment Schedule – Full Dates Revealed