We have some exciting news to share with recipients of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Child Grant.Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced in the 2023 Budget Speech that the Child Grant will be increased by R20 in May 2023, and an additional R10 in October 2023.

In May 2023, applicants will receive R500 per child per month, and in October 2023, R510 per child per month. Families who rely on the Child Grant to provide for their children’s basic needs are thrilled by this news.

A grant of R350 is being sought by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI).The civil organization asked the Department of Social Development (DSD) to extend the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beyond 2024 on Tuesday, 14 March.

SASSA Child Grant Increase May 2023 Updates

According to the Social Assistance Act, the department is amending the grant regulations, but the amendments are limited to changing the expiration date from March 2023 to March 2024.

It was concerned that the extension was limited to twelve months.According to the statement, “We welcome its extension, but are deeply concerned about its twelve-month duration.”.

In addition, there is no allocation to fund the grant after March 2024 in the tabled 2023/24 National Budget, signalling a possible intention to withdraw the grant after a year.

According to SERI, the government handled this “critically important grant” poorly and failed to address systemic issues that civil society repeatedly raised.Poor people’s lives cannot be improved with R350 a month, according to the organization.