Apply for SASSA Grant-in-Aid
Extra SASSA support when you need regular full-time care
Grant-in-Aid is additional financial assistance for qualifying recipients of the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant or War Veterans Grant who cannot look after themselves properly and need regular care from another person.
You can apply for SASSA Grant-in-Aid if you already receive an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant or War Veterans Grant, cannot adequately look after yourself because of a physical or mental disability, and need regular full-time assistance from another person. The current Grant-in-Aid amount is R580 per month.
Grant-in-Aid is sometimes incorrectly described as a separate caregiver grant. It is actually a supplementary grant attached to an existing adult social grant.
For a comparison with other SASSA assistance, see Type of SASSA Grants .
Who Qualifies for SASSA Grant-in-Aid?
A person cannot qualify for Grant-in-Aid without one of the three underlying adult grants. Needing a caregiver by itself is not enough.
Which SASSA Grants Can Have Grant-in-Aid Added?
A qualifying Older Persons Grant beneficiary who needs regular full-time assistance can apply for Grant-in-Aid.
A Disability Grant beneficiary who cannot manage normal daily living without regular assistance can apply.
A qualifying War Veterans Grant beneficiary can receive Grant-in-Aid where the care requirements are met.
If you receive an Older Persons Grant, see How to Apply for SASSA Old Age Pension .
If your main grant is the Disability Grant, see Apply for SASSA Disability Grant .
What Kind of Care Qualifies for Grant-in-Aid?
The grant is aimed at beneficiaries who need another person’s regular assistance with normal daily living because of their physical or mental condition.
Help with bathing, dressing, grooming or other personal daily needs.
Regular assistance with activities the beneficiary cannot safely or reasonably manage alone.
Necessary help with basic household activities where disability or frailty prevents independent functioning.
The key issue is not simply whether someone helps you occasionally. SASSA must be satisfied that your condition means you need regular or full-time assistance.
The medical evidence should explain why your physical or mental condition prevents you from properly looking after yourself and why another person’s regular assistance is required.
How Much Is SASSA Grant-in-Aid?
The current Grant-in-Aid amount is R580 per month.
This amount is paid in addition to the beneficiary’s qualifying Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant.
If you qualify, the R580 is added to the qualifying main grant under the applicable SASSA payment arrangement.
Does Grant-in-Aid Have a Means Test?
Grant-in-Aid does not have a separate financial means-test table in the normal application guidance.
However, you must already qualify for and continue receiving the underlying:
- Older Persons Grant,
- Disability Grant, or
- War Veterans Grant.
Those main grants have their own eligibility requirements, including financial rules where applicable.
If the underlying grant ends because you no longer qualify, the Grant-in-Aid cannot normally continue as an independent payment.
Medical Requirements for Grant-in-Aid
Medical evidence is a key part of the Grant-in-Aid application.
The current government application guidance requires a medical report or assessment report that is less than three months old and confirms that you require full-time care.
SASSA can also require a medical or functional assessment confirming the need for regular assistance.
What should the medical report show?
The report should support the fact that:
- You have a physical or mental condition.
- The condition affects your ability to care for yourself.
- You require regular or full-time assistance from another person.
Ask the treating health practitioner to provide accurate information about how the condition affects daily functioning and why assistance from another person is needed.
What if you were previously rejected on medical grounds?
Current SASSA information says a person previously rejected on medical grounds may need a referral form completed by the treating facility or practitioner.
Documents Needed for Grant-in-Aid
The normal application guidance specifically requires the medical or assessment report to be less than three months old.
How to Apply for SASSA Grant-in-Aid
You must receive an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant.
The report should confirm that your condition means you require regular or full-time care from another person.
Take your identity information, marital records and other documents that apply to your case.
Use the Grant-in-Aid services currently offered by SASSA or contact your nearest SASSA office for assistance.
Provide the medical information and attend any assessment SASSA requires.
Respond if SASSA asks for additional clinical, identity or grant information.
Keep proof that you submitted the Grant-in-Aid application.
Track the application where online status services are available or follow up with SASSA.
Can You Apply for Grant-in-Aid Online?
The current SASSA Services Portal lists Grant-in-Aid among its social grant service options.
SASSA Services can also provide functions such as:
- Application management.
- Supporting-document uploads.
- Application status tracking.
- Medical assessment bookings where required.
- Grant support requests.
Grant-in-Aid depends on medical evidence and the beneficiary’s care needs. Follow the instructions generated for your individual application rather than assuming every step can be completed remotely.
What If You Are Too Sick to Visit SASSA?
The people who need Grant-in-Aid are often the same people who find it difficult or impossible to travel to a SASSA office.
Government guidance allows a family member or friend to assist with the application where the beneficiary is too old or sick to travel.
The person assisting should take:
- A letter from the beneficiary explaining the situation.
- A doctor’s note where applicable explaining why the beneficiary cannot attend.
- The documents required for the application.
A procurator can represent a beneficiary or applicant in the management of a grant where the appropriate SASSA process has been followed.
Use the recognised SASSA process if another person needs authority to act or collect money on your behalf.
How Long Does Grant-in-Aid Take?
Government guidance says a Grant-in-Aid application may take up to three months to process.
The process may involve:
- Confirming your existing main grant.
- Reviewing the medical report.
- Completing a medical or functional assessment.
- Checking identity information.
- Reviewing outstanding documents.
Keep the receipt or application confirmation because it provides proof of when you applied.
How Is Grant-in-Aid Paid?
Grant-in-Aid is paid together with the beneficiary’s main social grant.
The combined grant payment can be deposited into an approved bank account.
Applicable beneficiaries can use the approved Postbank grant-payment arrangement.
A qualifying institution or welfare organisation can administer the grant where the approved arrangement applies.
Which payment date applies?
Because Grant-in-Aid is attached to an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant, it is paid with the beneficiary’s main grant rather than having its own separate monthly payment date.
Check SASSA Payment Dates for the current regular grant calendar.
Is Grant-in-Aid Paid Directly to the Caregiver?
Not automatically. The grant belongs to the qualifying SASSA beneficiary and is paid together with that person’s main grant.
Its purpose is to provide additional financial support because the beneficiary needs another person’s regular care.
If the beneficiary cannot collect or manage the grant themselves, SASSA allows formal arrangements such as appointing a procurator or giving an authorised person power of attorney under the applicable process.
If someone needs formal authority to manage or collect the grant, contact SASSA and use the recognised process.
Grant-in-Aid vs Care Dependency Grant
These grants can sound similar, but they serve different people.
| Grant | Who it supports | Current amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grant-in-Aid | A recipient of an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant who needs regular care from another person. | R580 in addition to the main grant |
| Care Dependency Grant | A qualifying caregiver of a child under 18 with a severe disability requiring permanent or full-time special care. | R2,400 |
| Disability Grant | A qualifying adult aged 18 to 59 whose physical or mental disability prevents them from supporting themselves through work. | Up to R2,400 |
For a disabled child, read Apply for SASSA Care Dependency Grant .
How to Check Your Grant-in-Aid Status
Where your Grant-in-Aid application is connected to SASSA Services, log in and check the active application shown on your account.
Application statuses can include:
- Application Submitted.
- Application Assessed.
- Application Documents Outstanding.
- Application Pending.
- Incomplete Application Saved.
For detailed explanations, see How to Check Your SASSA Grant Status .
Check whether SASSA has asked for an updated medical report, referral form or assessment before assuming the application has simply stopped moving.
What If Grant-in-Aid Is Rejected?
If SASSA does not approve the application, it should inform you in writing and provide the reason for the unsuccessful decision.
Possible reasons can include:
- You do not receive a qualifying main grant.
- The medical evidence does not show a need for regular full-time care.
- The medical report is missing or does not meet the required timeframe.
- You are cared for in a government-subsidised institution.
- Required information could not be verified.
- Your underlying social grant is no longer active.
The standard SASSA social grant process allows an appeal to the Minister of Social Development within 90 days after you are notified that the application was unsuccessful.
It is part of the standard social assistance system, so follow the normal social grant appeal route.
Can SASSA Review Grant-in-Aid?
Yes. Grant-in-Aid is reviewed when the main social grant to which it is attached is reviewed.
A review may consider whether:
- You still receive the underlying grant.
- You continue to need regular care.
- Your medical circumstances have changed.
- Your living or institutional-care arrangements have changed.
- Other eligibility information remains correct.
If SASSA cannot confirm that you remain eligible for the main grant or the additional care support, future Grant-in-Aid payments can be affected.
When Can Grant-in-Aid Stop?
Because Grant-in-Aid depends on both the beneficiary’s main grant and their continuing need for care, it can stop when those circumstances change.
| Change | Possible effect |
|---|---|
| Main grant ends | Grant-in-Aid cannot normally continue independently. |
| You no longer need full-time care | SASSA can review whether Grant-in-Aid remains necessary. |
| You enter a government-subsidised care institution | You may no longer meet the Grant-in-Aid requirements. |
| Medical circumstances improve | A review can find that regular care is no longer required. |
| False information was supplied | The grant can be suspended or cancelled and further action may follow. |
| You fail to cooperate with an official review | Continued payments can be affected. |
Common Grant-in-Aid Application Mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Applying without a qualifying main grant | Confirm that you receive an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant. |
| Using an old medical report | Use a medical or assessment report that meets the current requirement, normally less than three months old. |
| Medical report only lists a diagnosis | Provide information explaining how the condition affects daily functioning and creates the need for care. |
| Thinking the caregiver applies for themselves | Grant-in-Aid is attached to the beneficiary’s qualifying adult grant. |
| Assuming the R580 goes directly to the caregiver | The amount is normally paid with the beneficiary’s main SASSA grant. |
| Paying someone to apply | The application is free. Use official SASSA services. |
| Ignoring a review | Respond to legitimate SASSA review and medical verification requests. |
| Using the SRD appeal website | Use the standard social grant appeal process for Grant-in-Aid. |
Useful SASSA Guides
Main SASSA guide covering applications, amounts, payments and grant help.
Compare Grant-in-Aid with the other SASSA social grants.
The main grant used by many older Grant-in-Aid beneficiaries.
Adult disability assistance that can have Grant-in-Aid added where the care requirements are met.
The separate grant for a qualifying child with severe disability and permanent care needs.
Track a grant application and understand application statuses.
Check confirmed regular social grant payment dates.
Update contact information used for SASSA communication and verification.
Visit the SASSA category for grant applications, payment dates, status checks and beneficiary help.
SASSA Grant-in-Aid Questions
How much is SASSA Grant-in-Aid?
The current Grant-in-Aid amount is R580 per month. It is paid in addition to the qualifying beneficiary’s main social grant.
Who qualifies for SASSA Grant-in-Aid?
You must already receive an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant or War Veterans Grant and require regular full-time assistance from another person because of a physical or mental disability.
Is Grant-in-Aid a separate SASSA grant?
No. Grant-in-Aid is a supplementary grant attached to an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant.
Can I get Grant-in-Aid with the Older Persons Grant?
Yes. A qualifying Older Persons Grant beneficiary who cannot adequately look after themselves and needs regular care can apply for Grant-in-Aid.
Can I get Grant-in-Aid with a Disability Grant?
Yes. A Disability Grant beneficiary can qualify if their condition means they require regular or full-time assistance from another person.
Can I receive Grant-in-Aid with a Child Support Grant?
No. Grant-in-Aid is attached specifically to the Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant. It is not an additional payment to the Child Support Grant.
Can I receive Grant-in-Aid with a Care Dependency Grant?
Grant-in-Aid is not normally attached to the Care Dependency Grant. Care Dependency is already a separate grant for a qualifying child with severe disability and permanent care needs.
Do I need a medical report for Grant-in-Aid?
Yes. Current government guidance requires a medical or assessment report, normally less than three months old, confirming that you need full-time care.
What kind of care qualifies for Grant-in-Aid?
The beneficiary must need regular assistance with daily living because a physical or mental disability prevents them from adequately caring for themselves.
Can I get Grant-in-Aid if I live in a care home?
You do not qualify under the normal rules if you are cared for in an institution that receives a government subsidy for your care or housing.
Is Grant-in-Aid paid directly to my caregiver?
Not automatically. Grant-in-Aid is paid to the qualifying beneficiary together with the main social grant. It is not a separate SASSA salary for the caregiver.
Does Grant-in-Aid have a separate means test?
The normal Grant-in-Aid guidance does not list a separate financial means test. However, the beneficiary must continue to qualify for the Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant to which Grant-in-Aid is attached.
Can I apply for Grant-in-Aid online?
The current SASSA Services Portal lists Grant-in-Aid among its social grant service options. Medical assessment or an office process can still be required depending on the application.
How much does it cost to apply?
The SASSA Grant-in-Aid application is free.
How long does Grant-in-Aid take to process?
Government guidance states that a Grant-in-Aid application may take up to three months to process.
Will SASSA pay Grant-in-Aid from my application date?
Current government guidance states that if the application is approved, payment is generally made from the date on which the successful application was submitted.
Can someone apply for me if I am too sick to visit SASSA?
Yes. Government guidance allows a family member or friend to assist where the beneficiary is too old or sick to travel, using the official SASSA process and supporting letter or doctor’s note where required.
Can another person collect my Grant-in-Aid?
SASSA allows formal arrangements such as appointing a procurator or giving an authorised person power of attorney where the beneficiary cannot collect the grant themselves.
What if my Grant-in-Aid application is rejected?
SASSA should explain why the application was unsuccessful. If you disagree with the final decision, the standard social grant process allows an appeal within 90 days after notification.
Can SASSA review Grant-in-Aid after approval?
Yes. Grant-in-Aid can be reviewed when the main social grant to which it is attached is reviewed.
What happens if I no longer need a caregiver?
SASSA can review Grant-in-Aid if your medical circumstances change and you no longer require the level of regular assistance that qualified you for the additional payment.
SASSA Grant-in-Aid Help
Need help with the application or medical report?
Contact SASSA if you cannot travel to an office, need help with the medical assessment, do not understand which documents are required or have waited beyond the normal processing period without an outcome.
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