DSD Explains Why SASSA Pension Grants Won’t Be Doubled Despite Soaring Costs
The Department of Social Development (DSD) has officially confirmed that South Africa’s SASSA pension grants will not be doubled, despite mounting pressure and rising living costs affecting the elderly.
Also Read: May SASSA Grant Not Paid? Here’s What Beneficiaries Should Do
Advocates Push for Increase Amid Soaring Costs
According to The South African, calls to increase or double the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) pension grants were made during a recent committee meeting, where advocate Riyad Isaac highlighted the dire financial situation many pensioners face.
“I understand pensioners are now getting R2 310 (and R2 330 for over 75s) but it’s nowhere near enough to survive. Many live below the poverty line and struggle to make ends meet. There is no way we should allow pensioners to survive on only that amount,”Isaac said.
Isaac also pointed out that while some may receive private pensions, the majority are wholly dependent on state support, calling the current grant level inadequate in light of escalating costs for food, rent, and basic services.
DSD Cites Budget Constraints and Competing Priorities
In response, Dr. Maureen Mogotsi, acting chief director at the DSD, acknowledged the concerns but stated that doubling the grants would be financially unfeasible.
“Of the roughly 19 million core grants paid monthly, about 4 million are SASSA pension grants. We’ve already allocated R285 billion to social grants for the 2025/26 financial year,” she said.
Mogotsi explained that because the Older Persons grant is currently the highest among all social grants and already exceeds the upper poverty line, justifying a further increase is difficult—especially when the Child Support Grant sits far below the food poverty line.
“You see, we are between a rock and a hard place. Who should we consider first? It’s simply not possible for us to double SASSA pension grants,” she said.
VAT Proposal and Budget Uncertainty Add to Confusion
The DSD’s clarification comes amid uncertainty surrounding the yet-to-be-approved 2025 Budget.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to present his proposals to parliament for the third time, including a possible VAT hike to sustain the country’s expanding social welfare programme.
This follows ongoing speculation that suspended SASSA accounts in May were part of a strategy to recover funds. While above-inflation increases to grants were approved in April 2025, public frustration remains, especially among pensioners.
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The post DSD Explains Why SASSA Pension Grants Won’t Be Doubled Despite Soaring Costs appeared first on iHarare News.
