The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides monthly financial support to qualifying citizens facing hardship. Nearly 18 million South Africans depend on these vital social grants managed by SASSA to afford basic living necessities.
This guide covers all SASSA grants available, eligibility per type, payable amounts, and step-by-step application instructions.
SASSA grants serve as a safety net for vulnerable groups unable to independently sustain themselves financially. These programs help recipients meet fundamental needs like food, housing, clothing, and healthcare.
To qualify, individuals must pass both a means test and other criteria unique to each grant. SASSA offers 8 main assistance categories:
Social Relief Distress (SRD) Grant
Older Person’s Grant
Disability Grant
War Veterans Grant
Child Support Grant
Foster Child Grant
Care Dependency Grant
Grant-in-Aid
1. SRD Social Relief Distress Grant
The SRD Grant provides R350 monthly to persons facing situational crises leaving them destitute and unable to support themselves or family. It serves as temporary assistance for up to 12 months while beneficiaries regain self-sufficiency.
SRD Grant Eligibility & Requirements
To qualify for the R350 SRD grant, applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Waiting for an existing SASSA grant already approved
Primary household breadwinner diagnosed disabled for less than 6 months
Main breadwinner recently deceased (apply within 12 months)
Breadwinner admitted to an institution for 1+ months
Breadwinner not receiving required child maintenance
Victim of a declared provincial disaster
Unable to meet basic household needs
Applicants must provide original RSA ID documents or asylum/refugee paperwork and give proof of address. You also need to supply your registered mobile number. You can check status of your application at SRD Status Check.
SRD Grant Application Process
Visit your nearest SASSA office
Complete application form and supply all supporting documents
SASSA verifies details and determines eligibility
Receive notification of application outcome via SMS
If approved, collect R350 at designated paypoint each month
SRD Grant Key Details
SRD Grant
Details
Grant Amount:
R350 monthly
Duration:
Up to 12 months
Documents Needed:
ID or Asylum Papers, Proof of Address, Banking Details
Application Location:
Local SASSA Office
The SRD grant serves as short-term relief for South Africans struck by disaster, disability, death or other crises leading to financial distress. It pays R350 monthly for up to a year while beneficiaries overcome turmoil and regain stability.
2. Older Person’s Grant
The Older Person’s Grant helps seniors aged 60+ without income meet daily welfare needs. It pays R2,090 monthly as long as recipients satisfy age and means testing requirements.
Old Age Grant Eligibility & Requirements
To qualify for the Older Person’s Grant, applicants must meet all criteria below:
Aged 60 years or older
Single or combined spouse income under defined threshold
South African citizen or permanent resident
Not receiving other SASSA grants
Not housed in state institution
Provide original ID document and proof of spousal income
You’ll also need to give your residential address, bank details and registered mobile number to finalize registration.
The Old Age Grant provides vital welfare assistance to low-income seniors ensuring their basic nutritional, healthcare and housing necessities are met. Approved recipients get R2,090 monthly.
3. Disability Grant
The Disability Grant gives financial aid for essentials like medical treatment and personal care to South Africans with physical or mental conditions preventing independent self-sustainability.
Disability Grant Eligibility & Requirements
To receive SASSA disability welfare support, applicants must satisfy all criteria below:
South African citizen / permanent resident
Age 18 – 59 years
Medically certified as temporarily or permanently disabled
Passed prescribed means test threshold
Not housed at state institution
Supply ID document and proof of disability
Provide clinical diagnosis and healthcare reports
Give residential, bank and mobile contact details
Specific disability sub-categories include sight, hearing, communication, physical, intellectual or emotional impairment.
ID Book, Medical Reports, Proof of Disability, Banking Details
Application Location:
Local SASSA Office
The Disability Grant provides R2,090 monthly allowing access to vital medical treatment, home healthcare and recovery assistance for low-income disabled persons.
4. War Veterans Grant
The War Veterans Grant gives R2,110 monthly support to former soldiers of World War 2 or the Korean War now needing financial assistance for basics like food, utilities and clothing.
War Veterans Grant Eligibility & Requirements
To receive the SASSA War Veterans Grant, applicants must meet all criteria below:
Fought in WW2 or Korean War as verified soldier
Aged 60+ years or certified medically disabled
South African citizen or permanent resident
Single or combined spouse income under threshold
Not receiving other social grants
Not housed at state institution
Provide certified ID documents and proof of war participation
You’ll also need to give bank details, residential address and make your registered mobile number available.
War Veterans Grant Application Process
Obtain documentary proof of war participation
Visit nearest SASSA office
Complete application form
Supply war records, ID, income proof, address details
The War Veterans Grant pays R2,110 monthly to low-income senior or disabled soldiers who fought in World War 2 and the Korean War to help cover their basic needs.
5. Child Support Grant
The Child Support Grant helps guardians unable to sufficiently provide for the essential welfare of children under their care due to financial constraint.
Child Support Grant Eligibility & Requirements
To apply for the Child Support Grant, applicants must satisfy all criteria below:
South African citizen or permanent resident
Primary guardian of child(ren) under age 18
Child(ren) must reside with applicant
Applicant and spouse income below defined threshold
Provide child birth certificate and ID documents
Supply evidence of school attendance if age 7-18
Confirm details like residential address, bank and mobile number
Caregivers can receive funds for a maximum of 6 children with no child qualifying for more than one grant.
ID Book, Birth Certificates, Proof of School Enrollment
Application Location:
Local SASSA Office
The Child Support Grant pays R510 monthly for each eligible child to aid caregivers struggling to provide nutrition, schooling costs, healthcare, clothing and safe housing.
6. Foster Child Grant
The Foster Child Grant helps appointed legal guardians caring for orphaned or abandoned children under court-ordered placement meet associated welfare costs.
Foster Care Grant Eligibility & Requirements
To qualify for the SASSA Foster Care Grant, the following criteria must be met:
Valid court order assigning child(ren) to foster caregiver
Child(ren) currently under applicant’s care
South African citizen or permanent resident
Provide original legal documents and IDs
Supply child(ren) birth certificate copies
Furnish details like address, bank and mobile contacts
Foster parents must utilize funds solely for needs of assigned child(ren) per court instructions.
Foster Child Grant Application Process
Obtain foster care placement ruling from children’s court
The Foster Child Grant pays R1,130 monthly per foster child to help cover costs of essentials like nutrition, clothing, safe shelter, medical treatment and school transportation while under assigned caregiving placement.
7. Care Dependency Grant
The Care Dependency Grant helps caregivers fund specialized daily assistance for severely mentally/physically disabled children unable to dress, feed or wash themselves without permanent supervision.
Care Dependency Grant Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the SASSA Care Dependency Grant, legal guardians must satisfy all below:
Child aged below 18 years when applying
Child’s disability is permanent and requires full-time specialized care
Qualification based on health functional assessment results
Child not cared for at state institution
South African citizen or permanent resident
Meet Care Dependency Grant means test threshold
Supply IDs, proof of income and required medical reports
Associated expenses like treatments, rehabilitation and home modifications are covered.
Care Dependency Grant Application Process
Obtain medical reports certifying child’s permanent disability/incapacitation
Visit nearest SASSA office
Complete application form
Provide IDs, disability proof, income declaration
SASSA reviews eligibility
Outcome decision received via SMS
If approved, select grant payment method
Ongoing renewal requires updated medical assessments before annual expiry to reconfirm permanent disability. SASSA uses these to determine continuation or termination of assistance funds. You can check the status of your application at Check SASSA Care Dependency Grant Status Online
Care Dependency Grant Key Details
Care Dependency Grant
Key Details
Grant Amount:
R2,090 monthly
Duration:
Annual renewal under age 18
Key Documents:
ID Book, Medical Reports, Birth Certificate
Application Location:
Local SASSA Office
The Care Dependency Grant provides R2,090 monthly to aid with specialized full-time care costs for severely disabled children unable to dress, feed or wash themselves without supervision.
8. Grant-in-Aid
The Grant-in-Aid provides an extra R510 monthly allowance for existing SASSA grant beneficiaries needing regular attendance care at home unable to independently manage daily self-maintenance tasks.
Grant-in-Aid Eligibility & Requirements
To qualify for the Grant-in-Aid top-up, applicants must satisfy all criteria below:
Existing Older Person, Disability or War Veteran grant holder
Deemed permanently unable to care for themselves
Not receiving care at state institution
Provide supporting medical assessments
Confirm details like bank account, address and mobile number
Associated in-house assistance costs are covered like bathing, cooking, feeding and cleaning.
Grant-in-Aid Application Process
Obtain updated medical assessments certifying permanent lack of self-care ability
Visit nearest SASSA office
Complete Grant-in-Aid supplementary form
Provide new disability reports and required proofs
SASSA reviews eligibility based on details furnished
Annual renewal based on care-dependency assessments
Key Documents:
Medical Reports, ID Book Copy
Application Location:
Local SASSA Office
The Grant-In-Aid pays an extra R510 monthly to cover home care assistance costs for existing beneficiaries physically unable to complete basic living activities alone.
The Grant-in-Aid is specifically for existing social grant beneficiaries deemed permanently care-dependent requiring home assistance with self-maintenance tasks like washing, dressing, cooking and feeding. Renewals are tied to updated medical assessments each year reconfirming the beneficiary’s lack of self-care ability.
How to Apply for SASSA Grants?
You can submit SASSA grant applications through two main channels:
In-Person Application
Visit your nearest local SASSA office to apply face-to-face. Confirm operating hours and documentation requirements in advance.
Complete all sections and upload attachments like ID copies and disability proofs
Save and officially submit online
SASSA aims to determine outcomes within 90 days but complex cases may take longer. Track your status via registered communication channels. Visit a SASSA office for assistance if needed.
Common Grant Application Outcomes
There are three primary outcomes when SASSA finalizes review of submissions:
Approved – You have satisfied all qualifying criteria and will begin receiving monthly payments. Follow instructions to activate payout method.
Rejected – Your application failed to fulfill key welfare grant requirements. Appeal or reapply correctly.
Pending – Further verifying documents, assessments or clarification needed from your side to complete evaluation.
Appeal SASSA Grant Rejection Decisions
If your application is unsuccessfully rejected, quick next steps include:
Request reconsideration directly from SASSA
SASSA Appeal the unfavorable decision to secure review
Visit your SASSA office for assistance contesting an unfavorable welfare determination you feel was made incorrectly. Submit supporting evidence you qualify and deserve equitable reconsideration.
Understanding SASSA Grant Means Testing
A key component in the welfare eligibility process is SASSA’s means or income testing to confirm applicants qualify within defined financial constraint thresholds.
This helps ensure limited social protection funds are fairly prioritized for citizens genuinely unable to provide basic self-sustenance due to poverty. Means tests check:
Individual and spousal incomes from all sources
Income of other persons residing in the same household
The market value of fixed properties you may own
Other movable assets like investments or luxury vehicles
Considers expenses for dependents also
Falling below SASSA income cut-offs and asset ceilings varies by grant type but generally follows national poverty lines. Submit required financial statements like pay slips and bank records to confirm your situation.
Conclusion
We hope this complete guide to every available SASSA grant in South Africa assists you in identifying and successfully applying for suitable assistance in your situation. These welfare programs serve as an essential lifeline empowering vulnerable groups to meet fundamental daily necessities.
Remember to select the appropriate grant category tailored to your needs and carefully confirm you fulfill all listed eligibility criteria before submitting an application to SASSA. This aids quicker approval for persons genuinely requiring state relief. Reach out to SASSA directly for any other questions.
I’m Anele Zulu, a South African social worker dedicated to serving my country’s most vulnerable. With my degree and field expertise, I empower underprivileged communities through compassionate support and tireless advocacy on this website. My goal is simplifying access to services so families can uplift themselves
