Sassa, USA News: The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spent an estimated R1,28 billion on social grants and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) payments for legally eligible foreign nationals during the 2025/26 financial year.
The figure accounts for less than 1% of the country’s social assistance budget. This was revealed by Social Development Minister Dina Pule in a written parliamentary response to African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Vuyo Zungula. The figures cover the financial year ending 31 March 2026 and were disclosed following Zungula’s request for a breakdown of grant expenditure on foreign nationals.
The response shows that permanent residents received the biggest share, with approximately R1,12 billion allocated to them. Of this amount, R931,5 million went towards Older Persons Grants, while R134,5 million was spent on Child Support Grants and R31,7 million on Disability Grants. Other allocations included R8,4 million for Care Dependency Grants, R6,6 million for Grant-in-Aid, and R3,8 million for Foster Child Grants.
Recognised refugees accounted for another R150,8 million in social grant expenditure. Child Support Grants made up the largest portion at R105,8 million, followed by Older Persons Grants at R32,7 million. A further R6 million went towards Disability Grants, R5,9 million towards Care Dependency Grants, R271 600 towards Grant-in-Aid, and R198 750 towards Foster Child Grants.
SRD Payments and Permit Allocations
These figures also revealed that R10,6 million was spent on R370 SRD payments to qualifying foreign nationals. Lesotho Exemption Permit holders received the biggest portion at R9,18 million, followed by asylum seekers who received R962 370. Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders received R448,810, while holders of the Special Angolan Dispensation Permit received R24 420.
Pule explained that these payments were made in accordance with the country’s social assistance laws and that not every foreign national living in South Africa qualifies for support. In terms of Regulation 2(e) of the social assistance regulations, a person qualifies for a social grant if they are a South African citizen, a permanent resident, or a refugee residing in the Republic of South Africa.
Pule also made it clear that undocumented immigrants do not qualify for social grants or SRD assistance. She explained that the agency has measures in place to check whether beneficiaries meet the requirements before receiving assistance through verification against Home Affairs records.
