SASSA is making big changes to how people apply for grants in South Africa. They’re going digital and making the process more modern.
The money for these changes will come from ending their deal with Postbank. The Department of Social Development shared these plans in October 2025.
They want to make everything faster by using computers to check and review grants. They’ll also put self-service machines in their offices & create a digital system to manage waiting lines.
SASSA first worked with the Post Office in 2018 after they had to stop using their old payment company. When the Post Office had money problems in 2023 Postbank took over.
Now, that deal will end in October 2025. The government will spend R248.8 billion on social grants in 2025/26. This amount will go up to R259.7 billion in 2026/27 and R271.4 billion in 2027/28.
A 2025 survey shows more South Africans now depend on government money. In five provinces more people get grants than salaries. About 40% of South Africans now get social grants compared to just 13% in 2003.
The R350 Covid relief grant has gone up to R370. The government might use this as a starting point for a basic income grant but hasn’t made firm plans yet.
Half of all South African homes get grants. For many homes grants are their main money source especially in the Eastern Cape Northern Cape and Limpopo.
After salaries grants are the biggest source of income for South African families.
