This study investigated the effects of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program on the livelihoods of beneficiaries in the Kasisi area of Chongwe District. It focused on livelihood activities, expenditure patterns, and systemic challenges. To operationalize it, a methods approach was employed The findings reveal that the SCT serves as a multi-functional economic catalyst; while subsistence maize cultivation remains the primary livelihood, the grant enables a critical transition from recycled seeds to hybrid varieties and fertilizers, effectively acting as an informal agricultural subsidy. Beyond farming, beneficiaries have diversified into asset accumulation through small livestock rearing, year-round vegetable gardening (Dimba), and micro-entrepreneurship such as the “Pamela” reselling system while also utilizing the funds to repair tools or re-engage in technical trades like tailoring and charcoal burning. Regarding expenditure composition, the research established that while staple food (mealie meal) is the immediate priority, significant portions of the grant are strategically allocated toward educational requirements, emergency healthcare, and village banking (Chilimba) to build lump-sum capital. However, the net impact of the grant is frequently undermined by a “revolving door” of informal debt (Kaloba) and high transaction costs, including transport to distant pay points and milling fees. These successes are further tempered by significant structural challenges, most notably the unpredictability of disbursement schedules, the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation, and technical barriers such as biometric failures for elderly recipients with worn fingerprints. Additionally, the lack of formal communication channels and the high dependency ratios within households where a single grant often supports multiple orphans create a state of “stretched” resources. The study concludes that while the SCT provides a fundamental nutritional foundation and enables modest investments in productive assets, its effectiveness is constrained by logistical hurdles and a lack of formal “graduation” strategies, suggesting a need for more robust infrastructure and integrated financial literacy training to break the cycle of permanent dependency.