The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has disclosed that an estimated R1.27 billion in social grants was allocated to qualifying foreign nationals during the 2025/26 financial year. This represents less than 1% of South Africa's Social Assistance budget. The allocation was made to permanent residents, recognised refugees, and qualifying foreign nationals through the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
According to the Department of Social Development's response to a parliamentary question, permanent residents received the largest share of the funding, with an estimated R1.12 billion allocated to them. Recognised refugees accounted for approximately R150.8 million, while qualifying foreign nationals through the SRD grant received R10.6 million. The combined estimated expenditure across the three categories amounts to approximately R1.28 billion.
A breakdown of the estimated social grant expenditure for permanent residents reveals that the Old Age Grant accounted for the largest portion, at R931.5 million, followed by the Child Support Grant at R134.5 million and the Disability Grant at R31.7 million. Other allocations included R8.4 million for the Care Dependency Grant, R6.6 million for Grant-in-Aid, and R3.8 million for the Foster Child Grant.
Recognised refugees residing in South Africa accounted for an additional R150.8 million in estimated social grant expenditure. Of this amount, R105.8 million was allocated to Child Support Grants, while R32.7 million went towards Old Age Grants. Disability Grants accounted for R6 million, followed by R5.9 million for Care Dependency Grants.
Lesotho Exemption Permit holders accounted for the largest share of SRD grant expenditure allocated to qualifying foreign nationals, receiving approximately R9.18 million. General asylum seekers accounted for R962,370, while Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders received R448,810. Angolan Special Permit holders accounted for the smallest allocation, at R24,420.
SASSA has maintained that social assistance is restricted to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by South African legislation. The Constitution and the Social Assistance Act allow qualifying South African citizens, permanent residents, and recognised refugees to receive social grants. However, individuals unlawfully living in the country are excluded from receiving such assistance.
The disclosure comes amid scrutiny of the social grant system, with SASSA defending its verification procedures, saying checks against Department of Home Affairs records are intended to ensure that beneficiaries meet the legal requirements. The department emphasised that the amounts disclosed related exclusively to foreign nationals legally entitled to receive social assistance.
Key points
- - Less than 1% of South Africa's social assistance budget was allocated to qualifying foreign nationals during the 2025/26 financial year. - Permanent residents accounted for the largest share of grant expenditure, with an estimated R1.12 billion allocated to them. - SASSA does not provide social grants or SRD benefits to illegal immigrants or any person unlawfully present in the Republic.
