With poverty and unemployment rising in South Africa, support for vulnerable families is more crucial than ever.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offers a child support grant aimed at helping families provide basic needs for children, but for many, this assistance falls short. In 2024, there are talks of a potential increase in the SASSA child grant, designed to make a more significant difference in the lives of low-income families.
Here, we’ll look into the possible new amount, eligibility requirements, and payment dates for the SASSA child grant in 2024.
SASSA Child Grant
Currently, each child eligible under SASSA receives a grant of R530 per month. However, with the cost of living steadily climbing, this amount is well below what families need for essentials, like food. Experts estimate that a person requires at least R760 per month to meet the minimum nutritional needs.
For families like Sarah Hlongwane’s—who supports twelve family members—this shortfall makes it challenging to afford food, school transport, and housing.
Despite the current economic challenges, many advocacy groups are urging the government to increase the child grant to R760 or more. The goal is to align the grant with the food poverty line, thus helping families provide their children with a balanced diet and improving overall well-being.
Updated SASSA Grants Amounts 2024
Here’s a look at the current monthly SASSA grants to see how they compare with the child support grant:
| Grant Type | Amount (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant (60-74) | R2,190 |
| Older Persons Grant (75+) | R2,210 |
| Disability Grant | R2,190 |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,210 |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,190 |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,180 |
| Child Support Grant | R530 |
| Social Relief of Distress (SRD) | R370 |
Currently, the child support grant is one of the lowest amounts provided, despite its importance in child welfare.
Increase
Many South African advocacy groups have been vocal in demanding an increase in the child support grant.
These groups emphasize that a child grant aligned with the food poverty line would directly improve the lives of children, ensuring access to nutritious food and better health outcomes.
For children, proper nutrition is essential for physical and cognitive development, which affects their schooling and future potential.
By raising the grant to meet the basic food requirements, the government could make a lasting impact on poverty and hunger among South African children. This increase would likely help reduce the number of children experiencing food insecurity and improve their chances of better health, educational attainment, and future productivity.
Economic
Raising the child support grant could come with far-reaching economic benefits. In the short term, the government would need to increase its budget for social grants, but the long-term outcomes could justify the expenditure.
Improved childhood nutrition leads to healthier, more capable adults who contribute positively to the workforce, reducing the need for social services in the future.
Economic experts suggest that better support for families now can help break cycles of poverty, preventing adverse health conditions linked to malnutrition, such as diabetes and heart disease, from developing later in life. This kind of investment in people can ultimately strengthen the economy by creating a healthier, more skilled labor force that drives sustainable growth.
Payment
The SASSA payment schedule is consistent each month to help families budget more effectively. For November 2024, here’s the payment schedule:
- Older Persons Grant: Tuesday, 5 November 2024
- Disability Grant: Wednesday, 6 November 2024
- Children’s Grants: Thursday, 7 November 2024
Each grant type has a specific payment day to streamline the process and avoid confusion.
Steps
To support families even further, the government is exploring additional measures. Two main proposals have been suggested:
- Remove VAT on Essential Foods: Removing taxes on essential foods could make groceries more affordable, easing the financial burden on families.
- Regulate Fuel and Electricity Prices: Stabilizing the costs of necessities like fuel and electricity would help low-income households manage their expenses more effectively, creating a buffer against inflation and economic hardship.
Both proposals could make everyday life more affordable and reduce the overall cost of living for South Africa’s struggling families.
Ensuring the SASSA child grant is sufficient to meet families’ needs is essential. With increased financial support, low-income families would be better equipped to meet essential needs, offering children a brighter and healthier future.
