Economic Hardship Fuels Dependency on Disability and Care Grants

Economic hardship fuels dependency on disability and care grants as South Africa faces worsening financial strain. With an increased unemployment rate and more than half the population living below the poverty line, millions now rely on SASSA’s grants as lifelines for survival.

Rising Economic Hardship Fuels Dependency on Disability and Care Grants

South Africa confronts deepening economic hardship in 2025, and reliance on social support systems, especially the disability grant and care dependency grant, is growing at an alarming rate.

According to the IMF’s January 2025 report, the unemployment rate has surged to 32.5%, while more than 50% of the population lives below the poverty line, leaving millions with no alternative but to depend on state assistance.

Economic pressure continues to mount. Inflation is forecasted at 4.5% this year, largely driven by spiking costs in basic needs like food, electricity, and water. Notably, white maize, a dietary staple, has seen prices rise by over 50% year-on-year, making even staple meals unaffordable for many households.

In a controversial move, the government has proposed a Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase from 15% to 15.5% on 1 May 2025, and is considering raising it further to 16% on 1 April 2026. While framed as a revenue-boosting measure, the fallout has been severe for low- and middle-income families.

As VAT rises, everyday goods and services become more expensive, shrinking purchasing power and forcing vulnerable South Africans to stretch every rand just to maintain their basic living standards.

Communities across the country are feeling the weight. Families of disabled individuals and impaired children care with chronic conditions face relentless costs for medical treatment, assistive devices, and home modifications, while essential support services remain underfunded.

Even traditionally stable middle-class families are slipping. Those once able to manage their own expenses are now seeking SASSA grant assistance as inflation eats into their salaries, and energy insecurity, marked by frequent load shedding, stifles productivity and raises operational costs in businesses and homes.

This crisis of affordability and accessibility is reshaping the country’s socio-economic fabric. Disability and care dependency grants are no longer supplementary; they are essential. The rising dependency underscores not only the urgency for policy reform and inflation control but also the need for greater investment in sustainable support systems for vulnerable citizens.

SASSA Disability and Care Dependency Grants Increase Lag Behind the Cost of Living in 2025

In May 2025, SASSA continues to distribute disability and care dependency grants at R2,310 per month, a slight increase from previous amounts, but still below real living costs.

Treasury had earlier pledged to raise each grant to R2,315 with a 5.9% increase from 1 April 2025. However, SASSA now confirms that this adjustment has been revoked following the revised 2025 budget on 1 May 2025.

Families relying on these social grants, say the amount falls short of covering basic needs like transport, healthcare, and food. Advocacy groups argue that inflation has outpaced this modest adjustment, leaving vulnerable households under increased pressure.

As economic challenges deepen, many households, especially those supporting childrens with severe disabilities, rely heavily on care dependency and disability grants as their last financial lifeline. Seeing this, expert groups urge meaningful increases, stressing that SASSA support must match the real cost of living, not lag behind.

Important Notice for Beneficiaries Amid Pay Dates

SASSA has announced payment delays for certain beneficiaries amid ongoing May 2025 payment dates, due to mandatory ID verifications. To avoid suspension, affected individuals must complete their ID verification at SASSA offices to continue receiving their grants.

All beneficiaries are urged to monitor their payment status through SASSA status checker on the official website or visit the local offices, ensuring their personal details and biometric ID checks are up to date.