Budget 2026: R2 400 for pensioners, R580 for child support

Millions of South Africans will receive higher monthly social grants after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana outlined adjustments in his 2026 Budget speech on Wednesday, February 25.

Delivering the full speech in Cape Town, Godongwana confirmed increases to key social support grants that form part of the country’s redistributive social wage.

The minister announced social grant increases as follows:

• Old age, disability, and care dependency grants: rise by R80 to R2 400
• War veterans grant: rises by R80 to R2 420
• Foster care grant: increases to R1,290 in April and R1 300 in October
• Child support and grant-in-aid grants: increase by R20 to R580
• Social relief of distress: continues in its current form for 2026/27

Social grant increases will take effect in April 2026, as outlined in the Budget speech.