The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has said that a new rule about who can get social grants will go into effect on February 28, 2026. This will affect people all over the country who get social grants. The new rule says that people who make more than R8,070 a month may have their grants cut or stopped altogether. The change will make it easier to direct grants to the households that need them the most, making the system more fair and long-lasting.
Why a New Income Limit Was Set
SASSA is working to make the social assistance system more stable, and the new limit of R8,070 per month is a part of that. The agency needs to take stricter steps to check people’s income because of budget limits and the growing demand for grants. By giving the support to the families with the lowest incomes, SASSA will not only make sure that the social grants have the biggest effect, but they will also make sure that government resources are distributed fairly.
Who Will Be Affected by the Regulation
Most SASSA grants, like the Old Age Grant, the Disability Grant, and the Child Support Grant, have an income limit of R8,070. This is because the grants are based on income. If all the adults in a household make more than this amount, they might lose some of their grants or have them completely taken away. But it’s important to remember that only people who already have grants will need to check their income records to make sure they’re correct. SASSA will look at the most recent information and start checking grant eligibility on February 28, 2026.
How the Rule Will Be Followed
Starting on February 28, 2026, SASSA will use the new income requirements to process new grant applications and renewals. In this case, beneficiaries may need to give the agency documents like a letter from their employer showing their pay, their staffs’ or their banks’ pay slips or bank statements. But if the income is more than R8,070, the grant may be stopped completely or cut back for a while. SASSA will let the people who are affected by this change know about it and give them a chance to explain their income situation if they need to.
How to Stay Eligible
If beneficiaries want to stay eligible under the new rule, they need to check and update their income information by February 28. Reporting all of your income correctly means that you can keep getting social grants. Beneficiaries can change their information at SASSA offices or on official websites. They should also keep track of all their sources of income to avoid any problems.
Help for Families Affected
Families affected by this rule may still be able to get help from local support services or other social assistance programs. Community groups and welfare offices can help families who have had their grants cut or put on hold by giving them the information they need. This way, the families can still get some kind of financial help while they go through this change.
