SASSA pensioners want a double to survive the festive season

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SASSA Grant recipients are calling for something extra this December, and one suggestion is quickly winning support.

0 Decorated Christmas tree with red and gold ornaments. Image: Pexels As the festive season gets closer, many SASSA grant recipients say a single monthly payment won’t last through December.

Comments on The South African’s Facebook page show strong support for one idea in particular.

Sasha May started it: “It’s really sad Pensioners should at least get a thirteenth cheque a double to survive the the festive season.”

Other commenters agreed quickly. Soufie Dir replied: “Sasha May, perfectly said; 100% agree.”

Andre Van Der Merwe pointed to what the season means to families: “Give some extra for Chrismas , like a bonus, its family time.”

Kholeke Rafa kept it short: “Please we waiting for Bonus.”

Grant amounts are set in the national Budget each year. The current schedule runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, with the Older Persons Grant at R2 400 per month.

That increase was smaller than the previous years. The R80 rise in 2026 was smaller than the 2025 increases, when permanent grants rose by R130 as government cushioned households against VAT pressures.

December has 31 days. A pensioner aged 60 to 74 therefore has about R77 a day to cover food, transport, electricity and festive costs, often for more than one person.

Pensioners are not the only ones under pressure. Maryanne Jansen hopes families with children will also get relief: “Hope the children have more this December.”

The Child Support Grant currently pays R580 a month. Many households depend on a pension and child grants together to get through the holidays.

Grant recipients should only trust announcements about payments or extra amounts that come through official SASSA channels. Fake “bonus” messages often circulate on social media in December.

If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you.

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