Fate of SASSA SRD grant hangs in the balance

The future of the SASSA SRD grant hangs in the balance, as millions await the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling. Back on 25 August 2026, government challenged the Gauteng High Court. The SCA’s judgment was reserved and is yet to be handed down, with no clear indication of when that might be. Nevertheless, here’s what each of the outcomes could be …

SASSA SRD GRANT HANGS IN THE BALANCE

Firstly, the last round of SASSA SRD grant payouts took place in October between the 22^nd and 26^th. As ever, barring official confirmation, November’s payment dates are likely to run in the final week of the month – somewhere between the November 23^rd and 27^th. But let’s recap the court proceedings that has SASSA SRD grant recipients waiting in limbo …

Back in January 2025, the High Court found that parts of the SASSA SRD grant regulations were ‘unconstitutional and invalid.’ These included the online-only application process, and that the definition of ‘income’ was too broad. The case was brought against government by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and #PayTheGrants.

After losing, government and the South African Social Security Agency appealed. It argued, basically, that the state simply cannot afford to do more and that a court shouldn’t prescribe budget decisions to the National Treasury. Meanwhile, the R370 grant itself, as confirmed in the 21 October MTBPS, is extended for another year until at least March 2028. So, keep applying on the official Social Relief of Distress online portal.

WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO SASSA SRD GRANT RULING?

• Nevertheless, if the High Court’s order did fall away, current SASSA SRD grant rules would remain the same. Applicants would still apply online and be checked against their bank balances. The IEJ would likely try to take the case to the Constitutional Court.
• Next, in scenario two, if the High Court’s ruling stands, we can expect more stalling tactics. Government’s lawyers told the court that four months would not be enough time to comply. And they do not have enough money. It put the cost of the relief sought at around R139 billion in additional budget They, too, could make an application to the Constitutional Court.
• In the case of a partial ruling, the SCA could uphold some findings, but not others. This might be the ‘income’ definition, like increasing the grant’s value. That would require changes to how SASSA treats things like lumpsum deposits from family support or stokvel payouts.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The date of any SASSA SRD grant judgment, and whether it’s appealed (by either side).
• Any order giving government time to fix its rules/budget.
• SASSA’s decision on the online process and deposit checks.
• Progress on replacing the SRD with permanent Basic Income Support.

But what do you think? Would you like to see the SASSA SRD grant change into Basic Income Support, or be done away with altogether? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …