The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) allocated an estimated R150.8 million in social grants to recognised refugees living in the country during the 2025/26 financial year, with more than R105 million going towards Child Support Grants, R32.7 million to Old Age Grants and R6 million to Disability Grants.
Care Dependency Grants totalled R5.9 million, while smaller allocations were recorded for Grant-in-Aid and Foster Child Grants, amounting to R271,600 and R198,750 respectively.
The figures were disclosed in a written parliamentary response by the Department of Social Development to a question from African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Vuyo Zungula, who sought clarity on how much government funding was paid to foreign nationals.
According to the response, an estimated R1,12 billion was allocated to permanent residents, while recognised refugees accounted for approximately R150,8 million.
A further R10,6 million was allocated to qualifying foreign nationals through the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
The combined estimated expenditure across the three categories amounted to approximately R1,28 billion, representing less than 1% of South Africa’s social assistance budget.
Permanent residents account for largest share of grant expenditure
The parliamentary response revealed that permanent residents – foreign nationals who have been granted the legal right to live in South Africa – accounted for R1,116,540,950 in estimated social grant expenditure during the 2025/26 financial year.
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.
The department said expenditure on permanent residents represented just 0,45% of the country’s social assistance budget.
“In terms of the 2025/2026 Social Assistance budget, SASSA spent 0,45% of the Social Assistance Budget on permanent residents,” the parliamentary response stated.
Lesotho accounts for most SRD payments to foreign nationals
The parliamentary response also provided a breakdown of the estimated R10,617,150 in SRD grant expenditure allocated to qualifying foreign nationals during the 2025/26 financial year.
Lesotho Exemption Permit holders accounted for the largest share, 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.
The department indicated that the total expenditure represented 0.03% of the allocated R370 SRD grant budget.
“In terms of the 2025/2026 Covid Social Relief of Distress (SRD 370) budget, SASSA spent 0.03% of the allocated SRD 370 budget on Foreign Nationals,” SASSA said.
SASSA rules out social grants for illegal immigrants
The department maintained that social assistance is restricted to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by South African legislation.
It explained that 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.
“SASSA does not provide social grants or SRD benefits to illegal immigrants or any person unlawfully present in the Republic,” the parliamentary response said.
The department further explained that certain categories of asylum seekers and special permit holders may qualify for the SRD grant, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
These include having insufficient financial means, holding valid documentation, living in South Africa and meeting the prescribed age and eligibility criteria.
Less than 1% of social assistance budget goes to foreign nationals
The disclosure comes amid scrutiny of the social grant system following reports that approximately 400,000 beneficiaries had been flagged for assessment and review.
Zungula’s parliamentary question specifically sought a breakdown of payments to foreign nationals according to grant type, country of origin and residency status.
In its response, the department emphasised that the amounts disclosed related exclusively to foreign nationals legally entitled to receive social assistance.
“According to the 2025/2026 estimates, less than 1% of South Africa’s Social Assistance budget was paid to foreign nationals,” SASSA said.
The department also defended SASSA’s verification procedures, saying checks against Department of Home Affairs records were intended to ensure that beneficiaries met the legal requirements.
“The Agency’s eligibility verification processes, including verification against Department of Home Affairs records, are designed to ensure compliance with the legislative framework governing social assistance.”
The department maintained that the social grant system does not provide benefits to people unlawfully present in South Africa.
