Social Grants to Increase in 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Introduction
Social grants are expected to increase to keep in line with inflation and increase access for those who are eligible. This does not include the Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) also known as the R350 grant. This was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the Budget Speech delivered in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Increased Grants
“We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet. In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows,” he said.
The increases to be implemented during this year are as follows:
- An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October;
- A R50 increase to the foster care grant; and
- A R20 increase to the child support grant.
Projected Expenditure
In the expanded Budget 2024 review, National Treasury explained that social grant expenditure – excluding the SRD grant – will increase from R217.1 billion in 2023/24 to R259.3 billion in 2026/27.
The COVID‐19 Social Relief of Distress Grant is allocated R33.6 billion in 2024/25 with provisional allocations for the 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Improvements to the SRD Grant
“Work is currently underway to improve the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year. National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations.
“These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework. For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised,” the Minister said.
Projected Beneficiaries
National Treasury expects that grant beneficiaries, excluding those receiving the COVID‐19 SRD Grant, are projected to increase from 18.8 million in 2023/24 to 19.7 million in 2026/27.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
- SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
- SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 1.3: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, disaggregated by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 3.8: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access).
- Indicator for SDG 10.4: Income growth of the bottom 40% of the population.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. | Indicator: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, disaggregated by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities. |
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. | Indicator: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access). |
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality. | Indicator: Income growth of the bottom 40% of the population. |
Based on the article, the issues discussed are connected to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The specific targets identified are SDG 1.3 (implementing social protection systems), SDG 3.8 (achieving universal health coverage), and SDG 10.4 (adopting policies for greater equality). The indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards these targets are the proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, coverage of essential health services, and income growth of the bottom 40% of the population.
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Fuente: sanews.gov.za
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