Frequently Asked Questions about SASSA Grants
This section provides answers to common questions about social grants administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), including eligibility, application processes, supporting documents, and managing grants through the SASSA Services portal.
A social grant is financial assistance provided by the South African government through SASSA to citizens, permanent residents, or refugees in need. These grants support vulnerable groups, such as older people, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers of young children. Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees with official status granted by the South African government and must reside in South Africa.
A means test is an evaluation of your income and assets conducted by SASSA to determine eligibility for social grants, except for the Foster Child Grant. It ensures that grants are awarded to those with insufficient means to support themselves.
The Care Dependency Grant (CDG) is for caregivers of children under 18 who have been assessed as permanently and severely disabled, requiring constant care due to mental or physical disabilities. The caregiver can be a parent, primary caregiver, or foster parent. The grant is not payable if the child is in a government-funded institution for more than six months. If married, both spouses must meet the means test requirements.
The Child Support Grant (CSG) assists primary caregivers over 16 years old in meeting the needs of children under 18 in their care, whether biological parents or non-related caregivers. The caregiver must be primarily responsible for the child’s daily needs and provide proof of this role. If married, both spouses must meet the means test requirements.
The Disability Grant (DG) is for adults aged 18–59 who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability. It can be permanent or temporary (6–12 months). A medical assessment or report (not older than 3 months) is required to confirm the disability. If married, both spouses must meet the means test. Recipients cannot receive another adult grant, such as the Older Persons Grant. The grant converts to an Older Persons Grant when the recipient turns 60.
The maximum amount for the Disability Grant is R1,890 per month, though the actual amount may be less depending on the means test.
The Foster Child Grant (FCG) is for children under 18 legally placed in foster care through a Children’s Court. The foster parent, who cannot be the biological parent, must live in South Africa and provide a court order indicating foster care status. The grant is valid for the duration of the court order and may be extended until the child is 21 if they remain in education, with annual applications and proof of school attendance required after age 18.
The Older Persons Grant, also known as the Old Age Grant, is for individuals aged 60 or older who are not in a state institution and do not receive another adult grant. Residents of subsidized facilities, like old age homes, may apply. If married, both spouses must meet the means test. The maximum amount is R1,890 for those under 75 and R1,910 for those over 75, subject to the means test.
The Grant-in-Aid (GIA) is a supplementary grant for recipients of the Disability, Older Persons, or War Veteran’s Grant who require regular assistance from another person for daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, cleaning) due to physical or mental disabilities.
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) is a temporary grant (up to 3 months) for individuals in desperate need of material assistance. Eligibility includes cases where the household breadwinner is medically unfit to work for less than 6 months, is admitted to an institution for at least 1 month, has died (application within 12 months), or the applicant is awaiting payment of an approved grant. It also applies to those affected by a disaster in an area not officially declared a disaster zone. The amount varies and is determined by SASSA.
The War Veteran’s Grant (WVG) is for individuals over 60 or disabled who served in World War II or the Korean War. Recipients cannot receive other adult grants or be cared for in a state institution. The grant includes a R20 monthly supplement above the regular amount, subject to the means test.
To stay safe when collecting your grant:
- Be cautious of people loitering around ATMs and ensure you’re not followed.
- Check your balance regularly and report discrepancies to your bank immediately.
- Leave the ATM area immediately after completing your transaction.
- Avoid assisting strangers who ask you to return to finalize transactions, as they may be skimming your card.
- Secure your card and cash in your wallet, handbag, or pocket before leaving the ATM.
It’s your responsibility to report suspected fraudulent or corrupt activities related to social grants. Contact SASSA’s grants and fraud hotline at 0800 601 011.
SASSA application statuses include:
- Application Submitted: Your application has been submitted, and a SASSA official will review it. You may be contacted for further information. Next: Waiting for Assessment.
- Application Assessed: Your application has been captured and is being processed. Next: Waiting for Approval.
- Application Documents Outstanding: Your application is incomplete. Check for an email or SMS detailing required documents. Next: Waiting for Re/Submission of Outstanding Documents.
- Application Pending: Your application is processed and awaiting final approval. Next: Waiting for Final Assessment.
- Incomplete Application Saved: Your application is saved as incomplete and can be completed later. Next: Waiting for Completion of Application.
To register on the SASSA Services portal, you need a cellphone number for verification and an email address for notifications. Click the ‘Register’ link on the SASSA Services page, complete the form with your personal information, and submit. A One-Time Pin (OTP) will be sent to your cellphone. Enter the OTP to confirm registration. A procurator can use a single account to manage multiple grants.
Click the login link on the SASSA Services page. Select the option to reset your password or retrieve your username. Provide the requested information, and the details will be sent to your registered cellphone number via OTP.
Log in to the SASSA Services portal, click ‘Manage My Personal Information,’ and update the displayed form. Save your changes, and confirm with an OTP sent to your registered cellphone number.
A Procurator is an agent who represents a beneficiary or applicant, managing their grant or applying on their behalf.
Yes, a grant managed by a procurator can be accessed by both the beneficiary and the procurator. Notifications about changes or application status updates are sent to the applicant.
Acceptable documents include a South African Identification Document, Temporary South African Identification Document, or Refugee Permit.
Acceptable documents include a Marriage Certificate, Customary Union Certificate, Civil Union Certificate, Death Certificate, or Divorce Order.
Proof of income includes:
- Three months’ bank statements (or a Bank Letter if the account is less than three months old).
- Proof of investments.
- Proof of monthly income, such as salary/wages slips, interest on investments, annuities, pension payments, rental income, or other income sources.
Proof of assets includes statements confirming investments (shares, deposits, annuities, etc.) and a rates certificate for property owned.
Proof of banking details includes three months’ bank statements or a Bank Letter if the account is less than three months old.
Proof of deductions includes documents for medical aid contributions, income tax payments, UIF contributions, or pension fund contributions.
Yes, you can still qualify for a grant without a bank account, though you are encouraged to have one for payment purposes.
You can provide a Bank Letter confirming the account number for a newly opened account.
Yes, all uploaded supporting documents must be certified by a Commissioner of Oaths.
From the SASSA Services portal homepage, select the grant you want to manage. Choose from the available change of circumstances options, complete the associated form, and submit it.
On the SASSA Services portal homepage, a table displays all active applications and their statuses. Status updates are also sent via notifications to the SASSA Services user and the applicant.
Select the related application on the SASSA Services portal to view options for uploading supporting documents. The required documents are listed based on the application form. Each document has actions like View, Upload, Remove, or Print. Every application requires a completed SASSA affidavit specific to the grant type to be uploaded.
Complete the Questionnaire or Application Form on the SASSA Services portal. Indicate your Province, District, and preferred SASSA Assessment Site. A calendar will show available assessment dates. Select a date, confirm, and receive a notification of the booking.
Select the application reference on the SASSA Services portal homepage to view application details, including the medical assessment booking information.
Select the application reference on the SASSA Services portal homepage to view application details, including booking information. From there, you can cancel or reschedule the booking.
From the SASSA Services portal homepage, select the Grant Support Request option, complete the form, and submit it. A reference number will be sent via notification for future reference.