2026 SASSA unemployment grant confirmed by Ramaphosa

It’s good news for supporters of the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant. Speaking at the State of Nation Address (SONA) last night, Thursday 12 February 2026, the president confirmed that this was finally the year. And it would take the shape of an expanded Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.

South Africa’s expanded unemployment rate sat at 42.4% in quarter three of 2025 (the last available figures). And including new graduates and discouraged work seekers, youth unemployment remains very severe at more than 60%. And the new 2026 SASSA unemployment grant will tackle this issue head-on …

2026 SASSA UNEMPLOYMENT GRANT CONFIRMED

The South African Social Security Agency will be tasked with implementing the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant. As such, Ramaphosa reiterated that the ‘temporary’ R370 SRD grant: “Has been a great success in the country since the COVID pandemic, helping millions of needy residents.” The grant is paid to more than 8-million residents and was previously set to expire in March 2027.

Now it will be extended indefinitely, making it a permanent addition to SASSA’s preexisting ‘core’ grants, paid to roughly 20-million residents monthly. The president explained that the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant would be redesigned from the ground up. And crucially for new jobseekers, it would link beneficiaries to job opportunities.

NOT JUST MONEY BUT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

“An essential mechanism for alleviating poverty, 2026 is the year the SRD grant will be expanded to more effectively support livelihoods. SASSA will bolster it for skills development and finding new work opportunities. It will be a transformative instrument to improve the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people of South Africa,” insisted Ramaphosa.

Generally, President Ramaphosa’s 2026 SONA has been lauded for its ‘polish.’ He clearly outlined how South Africa’s economy is improving. Thanks to good GDP growth, low inflation, strong investor confidence and the cessation of load-shedding. However, he still says a 2026 SASSA unemployment grant is necessary to tackle unemployment and poverty.

SUPPORT AND CRITICS FOR 2026 SASSA UNEMPLOYMENT GRANT

Of course, as we’ve heard before, President Ramaphosa has confirmed the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant in principle. But that still leaves the National Treasury with the dilemma of how to actually fund it. In the wake of previous SONAs there’s been no clear sign on how to make a vastly expensive unemployment grant work in South Africa.

However, what is notable is that government has moved away from calling it a SASSA basic income grant. The vision is that the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant is only for qualifying persons specifically linked to unemployed challenges. Presumably, the agency will make proof of active job-seeking one of the requirements.

AS MUCH AS R400 BILLION NEEDED

However, as in previous years, the major concern is how much such a grant will cost taxpayers. National Treasury throughly quashed the idea back in 2024, saying such a scheme would cost as much as R400 billion annually. Depending on eligibility criteria, it could reach as many as 35-million jobseekers.  

In turn, massive tax hikes will be needed to sustain the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant. And critics say it will only create over-dependence on the state and won’t solve unemployment at all. More details about implementation of the grant are expected in next week’s 2026 Budget Speech (Wednesday 18 February 2026), which we keenly await …

But what do you think? Is the 2026 SASSA unemployment grant a good idea to curb poverty for jobseekers. Or will it create more dependency on the state and taxpayers? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below …