In 2025, the South African government announced an increase in the Child Support Grant as part of its social grants adjustments. The grant has been raised by R30 per month, which amounts to about a 5.7% increase over the previous rate. This makes the new Child Support Grant R560 per month for eligible children.
Other Grant Increases Alongside The Child Support Grant
This increase did not happen in isolation. In the same budget cycle, other social grants also saw enhancements:
- The Old Age and Disability Grants were increased by R130 to a new amount of R2,315 per month.
- The Foster Care Grant rose by R70.
These adjustments reflect a government effort to ensure that social welfare supports keep pace with inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
Who Qualifies For The Child Support Grant
The Child Support Grant goes to caregivers of children that fulfill certain criteria set forth in the brief. Main criteria types include:
- The child must be under the age set in policy (typically under 18, but depends on formal regulations).
- The caregiver applies with all the required documentation to the relevant government agency (e.g. SASSA), including the child’s birth certificate and identification details with proof of residence, present income details, etc.
- These requirements are set to ensure that the grant is made available to impoverished family units in need of grant assistance.
The Effect Of The Increase In Grant
A mere increase of thirty rands in the amount of the Child Support Grant would be considered nominal until one stops to consider just how much it really means for the recipients. That extra bit of income goes towards compensating for the skyrocketing prices in food, schooling, clothing, and basic amenities.
Any inflation-based increase in social grants alleviates just a bit of pressure economic inflation would otherwise put on families depending on social grants. It is also deemed a commitment from the government that social grants should be increased over and above inflation, at least to an extent.
When The Increase Came Into Effect & What To Expect
- The increase to R560 took effect from April 2025, aligning with the similar grant increases declared during the setting of the 2025/26 budget.
- Recipients should see that their grant amount gets adjusted from the moment in the new financial period.
- Further cost-of-living or inflation-related increases can follow in upcoming budget announcements if economic challenges persist.