Recipients of October 2025 SASSA Child Support Grants should feel aggrieved that their monthly stipend is not increasing. Scheduled for disbursement on Monday 6 October 2025 – later than all others, too – there is no surprise increase in store.
Sadly, recipients of Older Persons, Disability, Child Care Dependency and War Veterans will all enjoy a second grant hike this year. So, what’s the reason for South Africa’s most bountiful grant – October 2025 SASSA Child Support Grants – not increasing?
OCTOBER 2025 SASSA CHILD SUPPORT GRANTS
Before we get to that, allow us to remind you that October 2025 SASSA Child Support Grants pay R560 per month. Disbursed to more than 13-million needy residents fending for children under the age of 18, it is the costliest grant paid in the country. Even more so than Social Relief of Distress (SRD).
The South African Social Security Agency released details last week of future budget adjustments. Earlier this year, when the National Treasury had to finalise its social welfare contribution, it boasted lofty plans. Minister Godongwana planned to increase ‘core’ social grants by more than inflation for three consecutive years. This was going to counter the negative effects of increased VAT.
BUDGETS SET TO DECREASE
However, as we now know, the GNU challenged the VAT increase and the additional revenue suddenly fell away. Therefore, after 2025/26’s increase (up R1.6 billion to R284 billion), it’s only downhill from here for SASSA recipients. The figure for 2026/27 decreases to R271 billion. And 2027/28 down again to just R259 billion.
Long story short, that’s (partly) why October 2025 SASSA Child Support Grants have not increased. Likewise, it’s why the agency is introducing stricter SASSA grant reviews. And mandatory biometric enrolment for new applicants. It is doing everything in its power to tighten the purse strings. Which is no mean feat considering SA’s rising unemployment and the fact that 45% of the population receives some form of SASSA grant as a main source of income.
HOW TO APPLY FOR OCTOBER 2025 SASSA CHILD SUPPORT GRANTS
If you are in need of financial support of a child under the age of 18, here are your eligibility requirements:
- Only one parent may draw a SASSA Child Support Grant per child.
- You must prove you earn less than R134 300 annually if married.
- Or less than R67 200 annually if single. Both of these have increased in 2025.
Here’s what you need to bring along to an agency appointment to secure your October 2025 SASSA Child Support Grants:
- Valid identity documents for all applicants (child and spouse, if married).
- Proof of marital status (marriage, birth or death certificate of your spouse).
- Proof of income (you and your spouse, if applicable), a three-month bank statement approved by your bank.
- Proof of address (a utility statement with your name on it that’s not more the three-months old).
ALLOW FOR THREE MONTHS WAIT TIME
A reminder that applications for SASSA Child Support Grants in October 2025 can take up to three months to be processed. So you likely won’t see any money before the end of the year. And if you are unsuccessful, you may lodge an appeal with the DSD, also within three months. Take note of the last remaining payment dates for the year:
- OCTOBER – Monday 6 October 2025 (next)
- NOVEMBER – Thursday 6 November 2025
- DECEMBER – Thursday 4 December 2025
