Guides To SASSA Grants

If you live in South Africa and want some finical help then South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) program is designed to help alleviate poverty and support those unable to sustain themselves due to age, disability, or other circumstances. The SASSA provide various grants aimed to providing a safety net for vulnerable citizens, permanent residents, and refugees.

This ultimate guide is dedicated to ensuring you have all the information how you need to apply for, check the status, and receive your social grants. We know you are looking for details on the Older Person’s Grant, the Child Support Grant, or the SRD R370 grant so our mission is to provide you with a clear path to accessing them.

Guides To SASSA Grants

Overview of Major SASSA Social Grants

SASSA grants are typically divided into categories based on the beneficiary age, ability, or role as a caregiver

1-Older Person’s Grant (OPG):

Old age person grant Provides financial support for the elderly (commonly called the old-age pension).

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
  • The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa.
  • Must not be less than 60 years.
  • The applicant must not be in receipt of another social grant for him or herself.
  • The applicant and spouse must comply with the means test.
  • The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution.
  • The applicant must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document.

For more Information, Click here…

2-Disability Grant (DG)

If you have a physical or mental disability which makes you unfit to work for a period of longer than six months, you can apply for a disability grant.You get a permanent disability grant if your disability will continue for more than a year and a temporary disability grant if your disability will last for a continuous period of not less than six months and not more than 12 months. A permanent disability grant does not mean you will receive the grant for life, but that it will continue for longer than 12 months.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
  • The applicant must be resident in South Africa.
  • The applicant must be 18 to 59 years of age.
  • The applicant must submit a medical / assessment report confirming permanent, severe disability.
  • The applicant’s medical assessment must not be older than 3 months at date of application.
  • The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
  • The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution.
  • The applicant must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of him or herself.

For more Information, Click here…

3-Child Support Grant (CSG)

If you are needy, you can get a grant to help you raise the child you look after. Financial assistance for the primary caregiver of a child.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
  • Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
  • The applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/ children concerned.
  • The child/children must been born after 31 December 1993.
  • The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
  • Child can not apply for more than six non biological children.
  • Child can not be cared for in state institution.

For more Information, Click here…

4-Foster Child Grant (FCG):

Financial support for a person who is caring for a child placed in their custody by a court order. As a result of being: neglected., orphaned, abandoned, at risk, abused.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The foster parent must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
  • Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
  • Child must remain in the care of the foster parent(s

For more Information, Click here…

5-Care Dependency Grant (CDG):

Financial support for the caregiver of a child with a severe mental or physical disability. Get a grant to take care of a child who has a severe disability and is in need of full-time and special care.

The care dependency grant covers disabled children from birth until they turn 18.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
  • The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa.
  • Child must be under the age of 18 years.
  • The applicant must submit a medical / assessment report confirming permanent, severe disability.
  • The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test (except for foster parents.
  • The care-dependent child/children must not be permanently cared for in a State Institution.

For more Information, Click here…

6-Grant-in-Aid:

If you are living on a social grant but can’t look after yourself, you can get an additional grant to pay the person who takes full-time care of you.  An additional grant for beneficiaries of the OPG, DG, or War Veteran’s Grant who require full-time care from another person due to their condition.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The applicant must be in receipt of a grant for Older Persons.
  • Disability grant or a War Veteran’s grant, and require full- time attendance by another person.
  • Owing to his/her physical or mental disabilities.
  • Must not be cared for in an institution that receives subsidy from the State for the care/housing of such beneficiary.

For more Information, Click here…

7-Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD R370):

Temporary financial assistance for qualifying individuals with no income or social support.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Social Relief of Distress is paid to South African citizens or permanent residents, who have insufficient means and meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • The applicant is awaiting payment of an approved social grant.
  • The applicant has been found medically unfit to undertake remunerative work for a period of less than 6 months.
  • The bread winner is deceased and application is made within three months of the date of death.
  • No maintenance is received from parent, child or spouse obliged in law to pay maintenance, and proof is furnished that efforts made to obtain maintenance have been unsuccessful.
  • The bread winner of that person`s family has been admitted to an institution funded by the state (prison, psychiatric hospital, state home for older persons, treatment centre for substance abuse or child and youth care centre).
  • The applicant has been affected by a disaster as defines in the Disaster Management Act or the Fund Raising Act, 1978.
  • The person is not receiving assistance from any other organization or.
  • Refusal of the application for social relief of distress will cause undue hardships.

Period of Social Relief of Distress (New Policy)

Social Relief of Distress is issued monthly for a maximum period of 3 months. An extension a further 3 months may be granted in exceptional cases.

Note: No person who is in receipt of social grant may receive the grant and social relief of distress simultaneously. Any person who receive both social relief and grant at the same time must repay the value of the social relief of distress received. This will be recovered from any social grant payment, including an arrear payment. However, where the person who is in receipt of a social grant received social relief of distress as a result of a disaster, that amount will not be recovered.

For more Information, Click here…

8-War veterans grant:

If you are a former soldier who fought in the Second World War (1939-1945) or the Korean War (1950-1953) and are unable to support yourself, you can apply for a war veteran’s grant.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The applicant must be a South African citizen / permanent resident.
  • The applicant must be a resident in South Africa.
  • The applicant must be 60 years and over or must be disabled.
  • The applicant must have fought in the Second World War or the Korean War.
  • The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
  • The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution.
  • The applicant must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of himself or herself.

For more Information, Click here…

General Application Process for Social Grants

With the exception of the SRD R370 Grant, which is applied for entirely online, most main social grants require an in-person application at a SASSA office.

Step 1: Application at a SASSA Office

Go in Person: Visit your nearest SASSA office. If you are too old or sick to travel, a family member or friend can write a letter to SASSA requesting that a SASSA official conduct a home visit to take your application.

Complete the Form: The application form must be completed in the presence of a SASSA official, who will assist you with the details and take your fingerprints.

Bring Documents: You must bring all required documents (originals and copies) for verification according to that grants.

Step 2: Required Documents

While the exact list varies by grant, you will generally need to provide:

Proof of Identity:

  • Your 13-digit bar coded ID Book or Smart ID Card.

Proof of Citizenship/Status:

  • South African ID, Permanent Resident Permi, or official Refugee status document.

Children’s Documents (If Applicable):

  • Original Birth Certificate(s) for the child or/children.

Proof of Income/Assets:

  • Bank statements, proof of assets, or affidavits to determine if you pass the Means Test (for applicable grants).

Proof of Disability (For DG/CDG):

  • A Medical Assessment Report completed by a state contracted doctor, dated not older than 3 months.

Marital Status:

Proof of Foster Status (For FCG):

  • A Court Order placing the child in your care.

Check out a detail info on all required document for all Grants.

Step 3: Receipt and Notification

  • Keep the Receipt: Once your application is submitted, the SASSA official will give you a dated and stamped receipt. This is your only proof of application and must be kept safe.
  • Waiting Period: The application is typically processed within 30 working days.
  • Notification: You will be notified in writing whether your application was approved or rejected. If approved, payment is backdated to the day you submitted your application.

Step 4: Appeals Process

If your application is rejected, SASSA must provide you with a written rejection letter explaining the reason.

You have the right to appeal this decision to the Minister of Social Development within 90 days of receiving the rejection letter.

Payment Methods 

The SASSA payment system is designed to provide grant money to beneficiaries in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner. The agency uses a phased approach and multiple payment channels to ensure grants are disbursed on time each month.

Main Payment Methods

You can choose from a few different ways to receive your grant money. The method is selected during the application process and can be changed later.

  • Direct Bank Deposit: This is the most popular and recommended method. The grant is paid directly into a personal bank account or a Postbank account.
    • Benefits: Its the safest and most convenient option. Funds are accessible immediately upon payment and can be used for debit card purchases or ATM withdrawals.
    • Important: While the SASSA card is a type of bank card, you can also use your own personal bank account from any commercial bank.
  • Cash Payments at Retailers: This is the most common way for beneficiaries to receive cash payments. The SASSA card can be used to withdraw cash at the tills of major retail partners like:
    • Shoprite
    • Checkers
    • Usave
    • Pick n Pay
    • Boxer
    • Spar
  • Mobile Money Transfers: For some grants, particularly the SRD R350 grant, mobile money transfers are a payment option. This allow beneficiaries to receive funds directly to their mobile wallet, which can be accessed without a traditional bank account.

Check out this information for the check your SASSA Grants Balance.

Contact Information and Resources

When you dealing with a large government agency like SASSA, so you having the right contact information and knowing which channels to use is essential.

Primary Contact Channels

  • Toll-Free Helpline:Number: 0800 60 10 11
  • Purpose: Use this number for questions about grant application status, payment dates, qualifying criteria, and to report any suspected fraud or corruption.
  • Official Websites: