💸How the 2026 Budget Could Affect You💸

1. 🧓 Old Age & Disability

Grants for old age, disability, and care dependency are increasing by R80 in April 2026.

New Amount: R2 400 per month.

👉 More money for food and basics.

The child support grant increases by R20.

New Amount: R580 per month.

👉 Helps cover school needs and clothes.

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will continue in its current form this year.

👉 The R350 grant is not being stopped for now.

Government cancelled R20 billion in planned tax increases.

👉 Life won't get more expensive through extra direct taxes right now.

Fuel taxes are rising slightly:

👉 Watch for small rises in taxi fares and food prices.

Taxes on "sin goods" are rising in line with inflation.

👉 Smoking and drinking will cost more.

R26 billion allocated for HIV/AIDS and hiring more doctors.

👉 Clinics should have better staffing and medicine availability.

Expanded funding for Early Childhood Development and school feeding schemes for 9.9 million children.

👉 Continued access to meals and early learning for poor children.

The Public Transport Network Grant is being reduced.

👉 This may slow down bus improvements in some cities.

Municipalities must use utility money strictly for service delivery and fixing pipes/grids.

👉 Better services over time, but it will take time to see results.