Latest news with #SRD
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Collect your June SASSA grants from tomorrow
SASSA has confirmed that Pretoria grant recipients can collect their payments from tomorrow, with June payout dates now officially announced. Below are the payment dates for Older Person's, Disability, and Children's grants in June: Older Person's Grant 3 June 2025 Disability Grant 4 June 2025 Children's Grant 5 June 2025 All social grants, barring the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, increased in April this year. Delivering the 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stated that the number of social grant beneficiaries – excluding those receiving the SRD grant – was expected to rise to around 19 million in 2025/26 and 19.3 million in 2027/28 due to a growing population of older persons. Godongwana said that for 2025/26, social grants were allocated approximately R284.7 billion. 'As announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address, the SRD was to be used as a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people. 'The future form and nature of the SRD would be informed by the outcome of the review of active labour market programmes, which was expected to be completed by September 2025. 'The truth was that ours was one of the most comprehensive social safety nets among emerging economies. This reflected our commitment to addressing poverty and inequality, while keeping our spending sustainable,' he said. The grant increases that took effect in April were: Old age grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 War veterans grant: increased from R2205 to R2335 Disability grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 Foster care grant: increased from R1180 to R1250 Care dependency grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 Child support grant: increased from R530 to R560 Grant-in-aid: increased from R530 to R560 In the Budget Review, National Treasury stated that the budget for social grants was increased by R8.2 billion over the medium term to account for higher living costs. 'An amount of R35.2 billion was allocated to extend the payment at the current SRD rate of R370 per month per beneficiary, including administration costs,' the department said. Also read: Is there an outbreak of Staphylococcus in Pretoria? Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
5 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 disbursed this WEEK
SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 will be disbursed this week, on Tuesday 3 June 2025. And not a moment too soon, following the uncertainty over Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget. As many will remember, SASSA grant increases were actioned back in April 2025, however, there was uncertainty whether VAT increases being overruled might lead to a reduction in SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 Nevertheless, it's been confirmed that the Department of Social Development (DSD) budget allocation of R285-billion for social grants in the 2025/26 is unchanged. However, recipients of SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 should make the most of the above-inflation adjustment. Because the allotment actually drops again in 2026/27, to just R260-billion, due to the redistribution/repurposing of SRD grants from next year … However, over 60s receiving SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 needn't worry for now about their portion. The South African Social Security Agency's rejig of SRD into a universal basic income grant could actually free up even more money for SASSA 'core' grants like Older Persons, for those who actually need the financial assistance. For now, South Africa's elderly enjoy above-inflation increases from earlier this year. In fact, South Africa's pensioners over 75 enjoy the highest grant paid out nationally – R2 330. While over 60s receive R2 310 monthly. Let's remind you who is eligible. And if you haven't done so already, how you can apply … The 2025 Postbank Black card debacle has left SASSA wanting to cut ties completely with Postbank. Image: File Roughly 28-million residents receive SASSA grants each month (45% of the population) in South Africa. The vast majority of these are R370 SRD grants and child support. However, many would argue the most critical are more than 4-million elderly pensioners. If you are over 60 and meet the following financial qualifying criteria, you should absolutely apply for SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025. Note that all applications must be done at a SASSA office with an official present to oversee and assist you. Be sure to present the following documents and biometric data: Official identity document (ID) – smart card or green booklet. Documents proving marital status. Proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it qualifies). Confirmation of proof of income and/or financial dividends. All information regarding your assets, including a valuation of property. Declaration of any private pension in your name (if applicable). Valid three months' statements certified by your bank (not more than three months old). Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous employer. A copy of your will, and first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years. Take note of the remaining SASSA Older Person grant pay dates for 2025. Image: File Furthermore, SASSA has started strict mandatory data checks with Home Affairs, Correctional Services, and the Unemployment Insurance Fund for grant applicants. Likewise, SASSA now has biometric verification for grant beneficiaries using alternative forms of identification, other than the standard 13-digit South African ID number. These checks will only increase in voracity as SASSA expects to deliver quarterly reports to Parliament on the efficiency of its progress. This is all in the name of ensuring grants are reviewed and cancelled in good time to save money per recipient. Millions are spent annually on paying grants to long-dead recipients (presumably to other family members still collecting the grants). More importantly, the agency needs to be able to confirm an applicant's income and assets. Those who have sufficient means through a private pension, savings and personal assets, will not be granted SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025. Moreover, it was announced in Parliament recently that SASSA will conduct stricter financial checks on beneficiaries in a bid to keep fraud/wastage down. This takes the form of monthly spot-checks on applicants' bank accounts to ensure they're not lying about their income. And this is not just for SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 but also SRD, child support, disability and care dependency. If you're over 60, here's how you can apply for SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025. Image: File SASSA officials will enforce the following income and asset limits: You cannot earn more than R8 070 per month ( R96 840 per year) if single. per month ( per year) if single. The income limit is R16 140 per month ( R193 680 per year) if married. per month ( per year) if married. Total value of your assets declared must not exceed R1 372 800 if single. if single. And your assets cannot be valued higher than R2 745 600 if married. Thankfully, these asset and means tests have not changed in several years. Even though SASSA Older Person grants in June 2025 are higher than they've ever been. And remember, if your grant application is denied, you have 90 days to appeal the decision with the Department of Social Development. For application queries you can contact SASSA directly here: SASSA Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11 SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322 Email SASSA: grantenquiries@ Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Treasury stands firm on unaffordability of continued extension of SRD grant
CAPE TOWN - Treasury is standing firm on the unaffordability of the continued extension of the social relief of distress (SRD) grant introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has budgeted R35.2 billion to pay the grant in this financial year, while also appealing a high court ruling that it relaxes its criteria for eligibility to include thousands more people. Delivering the second version of the budget in March, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the grant would be extended for yet another year. That is unchanged in the current version of the budget. ALSO READ: • SARS expects to see impact of increase in tax collection efforts from Q2 • Expanding list of tax-free food items won't benefit poorer households: Treasury • Treasury defends fuel levy increase However, responding to public submissions on the budget in Parliament on Friday, Treasury's head of public finance, Rendani Randela, said that Treasury has no choice but to appeal January's high court ruling that it include thousands more to receive the monthly R370 stipend. "That judgment is a fiscal risk on its own. And again, we are looking at the bigger picture here. Social assistance is not the only programme that we have, we also have other social assistance programmes outside the Department of Social Development." With 61% of the national budget going towards the social wage, Randela said Treasury believes that the existing social support net covers many of those also eligible for the SRD grant and double-dipping has to be avoided. Government is yet to take a decision on persistent calls from civil society for the SRD grant to become a basic income grant. "There's no way that we can't have a mechanism to filter out undeserving recipients of these social assistance programmes. That's why we are appealing that judgment because the way it is, if we don't challenge it, it is unaffordable."
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Human rights organisation, COSATU and economists debate future of social grants
South Africa's economy is not creating enough jobs, so what happens to the millions of people who currently rely on social grants? This was the question raised by activists, economists and labour leaders at a panel discussion hosted by the Black Sash in Cape Town on Wednesday. The event was part of the organisation's 70th anniversary celebrations, and looked at the impact of removing social assistance in a country with high youth unemployment, food insecurity and growing inequality. The General Household Survey released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) on Tuesday, shows that the proportion of people receiving social grants grew from about 13% in 2003 to 31% in 2019 and surged to 40% in 2024 'due to the introduction of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant'. Rachel Bukasa, Executive Director of Black Sash, said social grants are not a luxury, but a necessary response to high unemployment and poverty. 'Grants are an important stop-gap to the poverty and unemployment that exists. One of the biggest misconceptions when we talk about grants is that we don't want people to work. When we call for grants, it's in the absence of the jobs that the government has promised year after year.' She said while job creation remains the goal, the economy doesn't offer enough work for those who need it. Bukasa dismissed claims that grants breed dependency, saying they are a vital safety net while the government works to improve the job market. COSATU's Tony Ehrenreich agreed with Bukasa. He said the alternative to social support from the state is people falling into hunger and desperation. 'Grants are only a requirement when the market has failed. If the market is perfect there will be no need for grants, but the market is not perfect so we need to take care of people in the interim … It's not a question of jobs or grants. It's both,' Ehrenreich said. StatsSA reported that the official unemployment rate stood at about 33% in the first quarter of 2025. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged job seekers, is 43%. Ehrenreich said these statistics show the current economic direction is not working. 'We can say the system has failed if we look at the unemployment rate and deepening inequality … Must poor people pay for the failure of the rich and the public policymakers who drive around in their fancy cars? That can't be the response.' But political economist Phumlani Majozi said the current grant system is putting too much pressure on the country's fiscus. 'South Africans agree that the best way to move forward as a society is for people to have jobs … In our budget, the social grant expenditure is massive. 65% of our expenditure goes towards social grants, subsidised housing etc … Fiscally, it's not something that is manageable.' He criticised the lack of government vision. 'Where is the plan from the president and his cabinet to say by a certain year these are the targets … It doesn't seem like Enoch Godongwana has a plan.' Majozi said the system discouraged reform. 'There will be no incentive for government to change and pursue policies to encourage economic growth if our first argument is that we need social grants.' To which Bukasa responded that social security is a right, not a favour. 'Social assistance is protected by the Constitution. So we need to do away with the notion that it's a favour the government is doing … The fact that we have high needs for social protection right now is a reflection of governments inability to deliver on job creation.' This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
A step backwards for the country's poor
SOUTH Africa's third iteration of the 2025 National Budget, colloquially referred to as Budget 3.0, is the consequence of the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners not being in agreement on the contents of the previous two versions of the budget. Historically, a most embarrassing time for the finance ministry, as the budget was not able to pass the approval of the house. In the past 30 years, when the ANC was in the majority, it was a fait accompli that the budget would be paraded through parliament without comment or question. Our GNU is essentially a partnership between several parties, some historically in opposition to each other, that are now unlikely partners that have come together to collectively form the government. One would have assumed that these parties would air out their difference behind closed doors and show the world a unified face, but this was a naïve assumption. The DA appeared to have suffered from amnesia, as a member of the GNU, well represented in the form of the Deputy Minister of Finance, who collectively crafted the budget, then opposed a VAT increase to fund essential spending. One can only describe the DA's behaviour as grandstanding during the first iteration of the budget, where they opposed the VAT increase of 1%. Enjoying their moment of the limelight, they opposed the revised VAT increase of 0.5% immediately and 0.5% in a year's time in the 2nd Iteration of the budget. Remarkably, their voters, generally the wealthy and the white community, may not have felt the impact of a VAT increase, but the sales tax would have impacted the middle-income earners, leaving the poor unscathed. Some have explained the real motive of the DA was to force the reduction of social spending to avoid a widening budget deficit. Budget 3.0 is the result of incredibly difficult choices trying to fund a R65 billion shortfall, which a VAT increase would have yielded. Our official unemployment rate of almost 33% , forces many South Africans to rely on Social grants. The Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, introduced to provide financial assistance to the vulnerable during the pandemic, was meant to be a temporary measure consisting of R370. The SRD and its poverty relief is cancelled from March 2026. This saving will add approximately R35 billion to next year's budget. Old age and other grants, which the treasury planned to increase over a 2-year period, will now increase only this year, saving the government R6.6 billion over three years. Motorists and Commuters will pay an extra 16 cents per litre on petrol and 15 cents per litre on diesel to help offset lost revenue from the withdrawal of the VAT rate increase. Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) would originally have received R19.2 billion over three years to assist with a turnaround at the shattered commuter rail company; this allocation will be reduced to R12.3 billion. R2.3 billion is saved by scrapping plans to digitalise Home Affairs over a 3-year period, which is a setback to its efforts to make the process of getting identity documents, passports and other documentation more efficient. The education department had a three-year budget to expand access to early childhood development and compensate employees at the provincial level, which has now been drastically reduced by R9.5 billion. The already understaffed health department will suffer further as funds allocated for salaries to hire unemployed doctors and to buy medical supplies are slashed by R8.2 billion. We have a huge National debt to service of R426 billion, translating to 20% of the revenue collected from taxes, which is currently spent on servicing interest and debt repayments on loans built from past budget deficits. Currently, we are growing at a very slow pace of 0.6%, while many emerging economies and our BRICS partners like India and China grow at rates of over 5%. Slow growth makes job creation, increased standards of living, including education and healthcare, impossible to achieve. One of the obvious solutions is promoting Trade. Our president's recent visit to the White House was aimed at trading more trade and lowering tariffs with the USA, while time will tell the consequence of BEE rules for Elon Musk's Starlink will be a small price to pay if we can retain a favourable trading relationship with our biggest trading partner. Strong trade relations help retain a healthy demand for Rand. Currency stability makes for easier National debt redemption and helps stabilise the price of Oil imports, calming inflationary and interest rate swings. As we reflect on a busy economic week of Budget 3.0 and Ramaphosa's White House visit, we spare a thought for the poorest in our land, who are now ever poorer after this budget. Budget Revenue = R2.2 Trillion Budget Expenditure = R2.6 Trillion Budget Deficit = R377.9 Trillion
