South Africa reveals social grant spending on legal foreign nationals
SASSA is trending after government figures revealed the agency spent approximately R1.28 billion on social assistance for eligible legal foreign nationals in 2025/26. The data was disclosed in a written parliamentary response to African Transformation Movement MP Vuyo Zungula. The Department of Social Development noted that these payouts represent less than 1% of the nation's total social grant budget.
What happened
- 31 Mar 2026
The 2025/26 financial year concluded, covering the evaluation period for the SASSA grant spending report [3].
- Recently
ATM MP Vuyo Zungula submitted a parliamentary question asking for spending breakdowns on foreign nationals [1].
- Recently
The Department of Social Development released official figures detailing payments to permanent residents, refugees, and permit holders [2].
What you need to know
Total spending on legal foreign residents was about R1.28 billion, which is less than 1% of the social assistance budget.
Permanent residents accounted for R1.12 billion, primarily through old-age and child support grants.
Recognized refugees received R150.8 million, while R10.6 million in SRD relief went to qualifying permit holders and asylum seekers.
Undocumented immigrants are legally excluded from receiving any SASSA grants or emergency relief.
The exact date the parliamentary reply was formally submitted has not been specified in the reported details.
Background
South African legislation and constitutional rules state that eligible citizens, permanent residents, and recognized refugees have a right to social security. SASSA checks all grant applications against Home Affairs records to confirm proper legal status.
The data release follows public debates over government welfare spending. Agency representatives reiterated that all grant recipients must satisfy strict financial eligibility requirements to obtain financial support.
Questions people ask
Which foreign nationals qualify for SASSA assistance?
Permanent residents, recognized refugees, and holders of valid asylum seeker or special exemption permits can qualify if they pass financial checks.
Do illegal immigrants receive SASSA payments?
No, state regulations explicitly prohibit providing social grants or distress relief to anyone living in the country illegally.
What proportion of the grant budget went to non-citizens?
Expenditure on legal foreign nationals accounted for less than 1% of the overall budget, with permanent residents making up 0.45%.
Where this came from
[1] timeslive.co.za
Less than 1% of Sassa budget aids legal foreigners
Preview image from timeslive.co.za
[2] iol.co.za
R150,8 million in social grants paid to recognised refugees during 2025/26, SASSA reveals
Preview image from iol.co.za
[3] snl24.com
Sassa crunches foreign nationals’ grants numbers!
Preview image from snl24.com
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