Pensioners Angry as R80 SASSA Grant Increase Stalls and Queues Grow

A proposed R80 SASSA grant increase has stalled while pensioners continue to face long queues and rising living costs, The South African reported on 22 July 2026. Beneficiaries responded with public anger, directing criticism at government spending priorities. “Stop wasting money and give the pensioners the increase,” wrote Andrew Fourie. Deon Jj called for accountability over ministerial salaries: “Citizens should now decide what ministers earn cause it’s their tax money.” The frustration extends beyond the stalled increase to the daily experience of accessing grants, with Andrew Monota describing the queue situation bluntly: “Before you even start cooking, the queues are already long.”

The R80 increase, if implemented, would bring the Older Persons Grant from R2,400 to R2,480 for recipients aged 60 to 74. Beneficiaries have described even this amount as insufficient given rising food prices, utility costs and medication expenses. The stall in the increase compounds years of minimal adjustments that have failed to keep pace with inflation. Pensioners also criticised SASSA management spending through comments like “Sassa budget is not for lavish Salaries and lunches, please increase Sassa Pension.”

No confirmation has been given on when or whether the R80 increase will proceed. The current Older Persons Grant amounts remain R2,400 for ages 60 to 74 and R2,420 for ages 75 and older. Beneficiaries who believe their grant amount is incorrect can contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 or raise the matter at their nearest SASSA office. Any official announcement on grant increases will be covered in the SASSA news section.

Source: The South African — “‘Nonsense’: Pensioners turn on government spending as SASSA grant increase stalls” — 22 July 2026