SASSA R370 grant: These 14 basic groceries cost more than the payment

0 How far does R370 stretch? A basket of 14 basic groceries cost R388.86 in September 2026. Image: OpenAI-generated Home » SASSA R370 grant: These 14 basic groceries cost more than the payment

Can R370 cover basic groceries? A September 2026 food basket cost R388.86, exceeding the monthly SASSA SRD grant by R18.86.

0 How far does R370 stretch? A basket of 14 basic groceries cost R388.86 in September 2026. Image: OpenAI-generated A basket of 14 everyday groceries cost R388.86 in September 2026, leaving South Africans receiving the R370 SRD grant short of the full amount.

The SASSA R370 grant, officially part of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme, provides temporary financial assistance to eligible adults aged 18 to 59 who meet the programme’s requirements.

Research published in October 2026 found that 14 everyday grocery items cost R388.86 in September, leaving beneficiaries relying solely on the grant R18.86 short of the full basket.

Recent calls to increase the grant to R700 have reignited discussions about affordability. But research into the cost of 14 essential grocery items reveals just how quickly R370 can be spent.

According to Daily Maverick’s food affordability investigation, a basket of 14 basic grocery items cost R388.86 in September 2026.

The monitored basket included the following essentials:

While the grant would cover most of the basket’s cost, it would not be enough to purchase all 14 items at the recorded prices.

Importantly, this basket does not represent all the food an individual would need for an entire month.

The R370 grant would cover approximately 95% of the basket’s cost, leaving recipients who rely solely on the payment needing an additional R18.86 to buy all 14 items.

This calculation excludes transport, electricity and any additional groceries needed during the month.

Interestingly, the monitored basket became slightly cheaper between August and September 2026.

In August, the same basket cost R405.86. By September, it had fallen to R388.86, a saving of R17.

Part of the decrease came from switching to a cheaper sugar brand. A 2kg bag of Sugarfields white sugar was priced at R49.99, around R20 less than certain branded alternatives.

However, not every product became cheaper. Rice increased by R5, while sugar beans decreased by R2.

The findings show how choosing different brands can affect the final grocery bill, even when households continue to face financial pressure.

Where consumers shop can also influence how much they spend.

As SAPeople previously reported in its supermarket price comparison, choosing a cheaper retailer can make a noticeable difference to the cost of everyday groceries.

However, travelling between supermarkets to take advantage of lower prices may also increase transport expenses.

For shoppers working with R370, comparing prices and choosing affordable alternatives can help, although savings depend on the products and stores available.

The R370 Social Relief of Distress grant provides temporary financial assistance to eligible adults aged 18 to 59 who have insufficient means.

Unlike household-based assistance, the grant is assessed individually. Applicants must meet SASSA’s eligibility requirements, and their eligibility is reassessed monthly.

The grant is intended to provide temporary financial relief rather than cover a complete household grocery budget.

Applications and payment-status checks can be made through the official SASSA SRD portal.

Some beneficiaries have called for the monthly SRD payment to increase from R370 to R700, citing the rising cost of everyday necessities.

An increase to R700 would provide an additional R330 per month.

Using the September grocery basket as an illustration, R700 would leave R311.14 after purchasing the 14 items.

However, the increase has not been approved, and the SRD payment remains R370.

Although the monitored basket became R17 cheaper in September, its total still exceeded the monthly SRD payment.

For beneficiaries with little or no other income, even small changes in grocery prices can make a difference.

And while shopping around and choosing cheaper brands may help stretch a limited budget, purchasing 14 basic grocery items does not necessarily mean having enough food to last an entire month.

Price note: The basket and prices are based on Daily Maverick’s September 2026 research, published in October. The figures are historical and do not represent current supermarket shelf prices or an independent SAPeople price survey.

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