The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is preparing to roll out its final round of social grant payments for the year during the first week of December 2025. Every month, Sassa manages more than 19 million payments, covering a wide range of support programmes such as the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, Child Support Grant, Top-Up Grant, and the Grant-in-Aid.
Confirmed Payment Schedule for December 2025
Sassa has released the official grant disbursement dates for December:
December 2025 Payout Dates
- Older Persons Grant: Tuesday, 2 December 2025
- Disability Grant: Wednesday, 3 December 2025
- Children’s Grants: Thursday, 4 December 2025
Updated Sassa Grant Amounts for 2025
Below are the current grant values applicable for December 2025:
- Old Age Grant (60–74 years): R2 315
- Old Age Grant (75+ years): R2 335
- Disability Grant: R2 315
- War Veterans Grant: R2 315
- Care Dependency Grant: R2 315
- Child Support Grant: R560
- Foster Care Grant: R1 250
- SRD Grant: R370
SRD Grant Extended Until 2027
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant has officially been extended for an additional 14 months, pushing its end date to March 2027. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Cape Town.
This extension follows an earlier decision in May, which had already moved the deadline to March 2026. According to the minister, continuing the SRD programme reflects the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable households while still maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Godongwana emphasized:
“We remain focused on providing a safety net for the most vulnerable, while working to stabilise public finances.”
Social Spending Remains Protected
The MTBPS reaffirmed that major welfare programmes—such as the Old-Age Pension, Child Support Grant, and Disability Grant—will continue receiving the largest share of the social development budget. These grants will be adjusted over the next three years to ensure their value keeps up with inflation.
The minister highlighted that 61% of total non-interest government spending over the next three years is devoted to public services and benefits that help keep the cost of living manageable for South Africans.
Stricter Eligibility Controls for Applicants
As part of the SRD extension, the government will introduce tighter verification systems. All applications will be checked against:
- SARS tax records
- Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) data
- National population register
These enhanced checks aim to ensure that only qualified individuals receive the grant. Godongwana added that the government is still assessing long-term solutions for sustainable income support beyond 2027.
Conclusion
The final Sassa payouts for 2025 mark an important moment for millions of South Africans relying on monthly social assistance. With the SRD grant extended, essential grants protected, and improved verification processes on the way, the government aims to maintain a strong social safety net while safeguarding public finances. These measures signal continued support for vulnerable families heading into the new year.
FAQs
1. When will Sassa grants be paid in December 2025?
Payments start on 2 December 2025 for older persons, followed by disability grants on 3 December and children’s grants on 4 December.
2. How much is the Sassa SRD grant in 2025?
The SRD grant remains at R370 per month, with the programme extended until March 2027.
3. Will grant amounts increase in 2026?
The MTBPS confirmed that Sassa grants will be adjusted over the next three years to maintain real value, though specific 2026 increases will be announced later.
