Apply for SASSA War Veteran’s Grant
SASSA support for qualifying World War II and Korean War veterans
The SASSA War Veterans Grant is a specialised social grant for qualifying former soldiers who served in World War II or the Korean War and cannot adequately support themselves. Applicants must meet the service, age or disability, residence and financial requirements.
You may qualify for the SASSA War Veterans Grant if you served in World War II from 1939 to 1945 or the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, are 60 or older or disabled, live in South Africa, are a South African citizen or permanent resident, pass the applicable means test, do not receive another social grant for yourself and are not cared for in a state institution. The current grant is R2,420 per month.
The current War Veterans Grant is specifically linked to service in World War II or the Korean War.
Which War Veterans Can Qualify?
The SASSA War Veterans Grant does not apply to every person who has served in the military.
The applicant must have fought in one of these two conflicts:
A former soldier who fought in the Second World War can potentially qualify if the other SASSA requirements are also met.
A former soldier who fought in the Korean War can potentially qualify if the other requirements are met.
You should bring evidence of your military service, such as a certificate of service or another record accepted by SASSA.
Who Qualifies for the SASSA War Veterans Grant?
Can you receive an Older Persons Grant and War Veterans Grant?
No. The War Veterans Grant cannot normally be paid together with another social grant for yourself.
A qualifying veteran should therefore not expect to receive both the Older Persons Grant and War Veterans Grant as two separate adult grants.
Grant-in-Aid is supplementary support that can be added to a qualifying War Veterans Grant where the beneficiary needs regular assistance from another person.
How Much Is the SASSA War Veterans Grant?
The current SASSA War Veterans Grant is R2,420 per month.
The amount increased by R80 in April 2026. It remains R20 above the current standard maximum Older Persons and Disability Grant amount.
This page uses an evergreen URL. If government changes the War Veterans Grant amount, update the amount on this page instead of creating a new annual URL.
War Veterans Grant Means Test
The War Veterans Grant is means tested. SASSA assesses the applicant’s income and assets to determine whether the person has sufficient means to support themselves.
If you are married, your spouse’s financial circumstances can also form part of the assessment.
Information SASSA can consider includes:
- Salary or wages.
- Spouse income.
- Private pension income.
- Bank balances.
- Interest and dividends.
- Investments.
- Property.
- Other assets.
- Other income received by you or your spouse.
Some government service pages still display older income and asset thresholds even though later SASSA material shows that the thresholds have already changed. Do not decide that you are ineligible based on an old figure copied from an outdated page.
Does your home count as an asset?
The current government War Veterans Grant guidance states that the value of the home in which you or your spouse live is not taken into account for purposes of the grant’s means test.
SASSA still assesses other income and assets under the applicable means-test rules.
Can a War Veteran Under 60 Qualify?
The current government rules state that the applicant must be 60 years or older or disabled.
Where an applicant is under 60 and relies on the disability route, the government application procedure requires a medical assessment or report stating that the applicant cannot work.
The disability route does not create a general veterans grant for other conflicts. The applicant must still meet the World War II or Korean War service requirement.
Documents Needed for the War Veterans Grant
Take the documents that apply to your circumstances when starting the application.
What if you do not have an ID?
The government application procedure provides an alternative process for someone who does not yet have the normal identity document.
This can include:
- A SASSA-format affidavit completed before a Commissioner of Oaths.
- A sworn statement from a reputable person who can confirm your name and age.
- Proof that you have applied to Home Affairs for an ID.
- A temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs where applicable.
The alternative SASSA identification process should not be treated as a permanent replacement for obtaining the required identity document.
See South African Smart ID Card if you need help with identity documentation.
How to Apply for the SASSA War Veterans Grant
The current government service instructions direct War Veterans Grant applicants to apply through a SASSA office.
Make sure your military service was in World War II or the Korean War.
Prepare your certificate of service or other accepted evidence of the qualifying military service.
Take your ID and the marital-status documents that apply to your circumstances.
Gather bank statements, income, pension, employment and investment information for the means test.
If the application relies on disability, take the required medical assessment or report.
Complete the War Veterans Grant application through the current SASSA office process.
The government procedure says the application form is completed in the presence of a SASSA official.
SASSA should provide a receipt. Keep it as proof that you applied and of the date on which the application was submitted.
Do not pay a website or individual who claims to sell an official online War Veterans Grant application.
What If You Cannot Travel to a SASSA Office?
The official application process recognises that an applicant may be too old or too sick to travel to a SASSA office.
A family member or friend can assist with the application using the SASSA process.
The person assisting should take:
- A letter from the applicant explaining that they cannot attend.
- A doctor’s note where applicable explaining why the applicant cannot visit the office.
- The applicant’s required supporting documents.
If another person must formally manage or collect your grant, ask SASSA about an authorised procurator or power-of-attorney arrangement.
How Long Does the War Veterans Grant Take?
The official government service guidance states that a War Veterans Grant application can take up to three months to process.
SASSA may need to verify:
- Your identity.
- Your qualifying military service.
- Your age or disability.
- Your income.
- Your assets.
- Your marital status.
- Whether you receive another social grant.
This is another reason to keep your application receipt.
How Is the War Veterans Grant Paid?
SASSA can pay the grant through an approved payment arrangement.
The grant can be deposited electronically into an approved bank account.
A beneficiary using an applicable Postbank arrangement can access the grant through that payment system.
An institution such as a welfare organisation can act as administrator in applicable circumstances.
Does the War Veterans Grant have its own payment date?
SASSA’s published regular payment calendar is normally presented under Older Persons Grants, Disability Grants and Children’s Grants rather than listing the War Veterans Grant as a separate monthly category.
If you receive the War Veterans Grant, confirm the applicable monthly payment date through SASSA instead of assuming that another grant category’s date automatically applies.
See SASSA Payment Dates for the currently confirmed regular grant calendar.
What if you cannot collect your own grant?
The government service procedure says a beneficiary who cannot collect the money personally can appoint a procurator through SASSA or give another person power of attorney under the applicable process.
How to Check Your War Veterans Grant Status
Keep the receipt or application reference issued when you apply. It will help SASSA identify the application if you need to follow up.
Where an application is visible through a SASSA digital service, the standard SASSA status system can display stages such as:
- Application Submitted.
- Application Assessed.
- Application Documents Outstanding.
- Application Pending.
See How to Check Your SASSA Grant Status for the current status-check options.
If SASSA asks for further military-service evidence, provide the specific record requested rather than repeatedly submitting the same application.
What If the War Veterans Grant Is Rejected?
If SASSA does not approve the application, it should notify you in writing and explain why the application was unsuccessful.
Possible reasons can include:
- Military service does not meet the qualifying war requirement.
- Proof of war service is insufficient.
- The age or disability requirement is not met.
- The means test is not met.
- The applicant receives another social grant for themselves.
- The applicant is cared for in a state institution.
- Residence or citizenship requirements are not met.
- Required documents could not be verified.
If you disagree with SASSA’s decision, the standard social grant process allows an appeal to the national Department of Social Development within 90 days after being notified that the application was unsuccessful.
The War Veterans Grant is a standard social grant and does not use the monthly SRD Independent Tribunal appeal process.
Can SASSA Review a War Veterans Grant?
Yes. SASSA can review an existing War Veterans Grant to make sure that the beneficiary continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
A review can involve:
- Income.
- Assets.
- Banking information.
- Residence.
- Continued eligibility for the grant.
- Life certification.
A grant review is used to confirm continued eligibility. Failure to provide requested information can delay future payments and can eventually lead to suspension or lapsing where eligibility cannot be confirmed.
What If the Beneficiary Moves Into a Care Institution?
The normal War Veterans Grant eligibility rules state that an applicant must not be maintained in a state institution.
A separate rule applies when a beneficiary is admitted to an institution that has a contract with the state to provide care.
The current government service guidance states that the grant can be reduced to 25% of the maximum amount from the fourth month following admission to such an institution. The normal grant can be restored from the date of discharge under the applicable rules.
Tell SASSA when institutional-care circumstances change rather than continuing to use outdated residence information.
When Can the War Veterans Grant Stop?
| Situation | Possible effect |
|---|---|
| Beneficiary dies | The grant lapses. |
| Admission to a state institution | The grant can lapse under the applicable institutional-care rules. |
| Grant is not claimed for three consecutive months | Government service guidance lists this as a reason the grant can lapse. |
| Beneficiary leaves South Africa | Absence from the country can cause the grant to lapse. |
| Financial circumstances change | SASSA can review whether the beneficiary still passes the means test. |
| Failure to cooperate with a review | The grant can be suspended. |
| Fraud or misrepresentation | The grant can be suspended or cancelled and further action may follow. |
| Grant was approved in error | SASSA can review and suspend the grant where appropriate. |
Can a War Veteran Also Get Grant-in-Aid?
Yes, where the care requirements are met.
A War Veterans Grant beneficiary who cannot adequately look after themselves because of a physical or mental disability and needs regular assistance from another person may qualify for Grant-in-Aid.
The current Grant-in-Aid amount is R580 per month.
It is not another competing adult grant and is not a separate salary paid by SASSA to the caregiver.
Read Apply for SASSA Grant-in-Aid for the medical and care requirements.
Common War Veterans Grant Application Mistakes
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Assuming all military veterans qualify | Check the specific World War II or Korean War service requirement. |
| Applying without service records | Prepare a certificate of service or other accepted proof of qualifying war service. |
| Using an old means-test threshold | Confirm the current income and asset limits with SASSA. |
| Not declaring spouse income | Provide the required financial information if you are married. |
| Trying to claim another adult grant as well | The War Veterans Grant cannot normally be combined with another social grant for yourself. |
| Applying online through an unofficial website | The current official government procedure directs applicants to a SASSA office. |
| Discarding the application receipt | Keep it until the application and any appeal have been finalised. |
| Ignoring a grant review | Respond to legitimate SASSA review and life-certification requests. |
Useful SASSA Guides
Main SASSA guide covering grant types, applications, amounts and payments.
Compare the War Veterans Grant with other SASSA social grants.
The standard age-based social grant for qualifying people aged 60 and older.
Additional support if a War Veterans Grant beneficiary requires regular full-time care.
Check an application and understand SASSA application statuses.
See the current confirmed regular social grant payment calendar.
Visit the SASSA category for grant applications, payment dates, status checks and beneficiary help.
SASSA War Veterans Grant Questions
How much is the SASSA War Veterans Grant?
The current SASSA War Veterans Grant is R2,420 per month.
Who qualifies for the SASSA War Veterans Grant?
A qualifying applicant must have served in World War II or the Korean War, be 60 or older or disabled, live in South Africa, meet the citizenship or permanent residence requirement, pass the means test, not receive another social grant for themselves and not be cared for in a state institution.
Which wars qualify for the War Veterans Grant?
The grant applies to qualifying veterans who fought in World War II from 1939 to 1945 or the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Do other South African military veterans qualify?
Not under this specific SASSA grant simply because they served in another conflict. The current War Veterans Grant specifically requires World War II or Korean War service.
What age do you need to be for the War Veterans Grant?
The current rule states that the applicant must be 60 years or older or be disabled.
Can a war veteran under 60 qualify?
The government rules allow the disability route where the applicant is under 60, but the person must still meet the qualifying war-service requirement and provide the required medical evidence.
What proof of military service is required?
Government guidance says applicants should provide proof of qualifying war service, such as a certificate of service.
Does the War Veterans Grant have a means test?
Yes. SASSA assesses income and assets to determine financial eligibility. Married applicants can also have their spouse’s financial circumstances considered.
Does the house I live in count as an asset?
Current government guidance states that the value of the home in which you or your spouse live is not taken into account for purposes of the War Veterans Grant means test.
Can I receive the Older Persons Grant and War Veterans Grant together?
No. A War Veterans Grant applicant cannot normally receive another social grant for themselves at the same time.
Can I receive Grant-in-Aid with the War Veterans Grant?
Yes. A qualifying War Veterans Grant beneficiary who requires regular care from another person may also qualify for Grant-in-Aid.
Can I apply for the War Veterans Grant online?
The current government War Veterans Grant instructions direct applicants to a SASSA office and state that the application form is not available online.
How much does it cost to apply?
The SASSA War Veterans Grant application is free.
Can someone apply for me if I cannot travel to SASSA?
Yes. If you are too old or sick to travel, the government application procedure allows a family member or friend to assist using a letter from you and a doctor’s note where applicable.
How long does the War Veterans Grant application take?
Government guidance states that the application may take up to three months to process.
Will I be paid from the date I applied?
If the application is approved, current government guidance states that payment is made from the date on which the successful application was submitted.
What if my War Veterans Grant application is rejected?
SASSA should tell you 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 the grant after approval?
Yes. SASSA can review the War Veterans Grant to confirm continued financial and other eligibility and may require life certification.
What happens if a beneficiary moves into a care institution?
Normal eligibility is affected by state institutional care. Where the beneficiary enters an institution contracted by the state to provide care, government guidance provides for a reduced grant under the applicable rules.
SASSA War Veterans Grant Help
Need help with war-service records or the application?
Contact SASSA if you are unsure whether your service records are sufficient, cannot travel to an office, need clarification about the current means test or have waited beyond the normal processing period without an outcome.
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