SASSA Applications

The South African Social Security Agency, or SASSA, is a national agency that provides monthly relief to people facing financial difficulties. There are approximately 18 million people across the country benefitting from the program. The program covers eight grants for men, women, older people, and children.

Are you planning to apply for one SASSA grant? Have no clue about where to start your application? Here is a complete guide on SASSA applications for each grant, so keep reading.

1. SASSA Older Person Grant

The SASSA older person grant applies to people over 60 years of age who need special care at home. The amount helps the beneficiaries hire someone for in-house care. The monthly payment of the grant is around R2,090.

Eligibility Requirements

You must fulfill the following requirements to apply for the older person grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
The applicant must be over 60 years old.
The applicant must live in South Africa at the time of application.
The applicant must not receive care from state-run institutions or social grants from other sources.
The applicant must meet the Means Test requirements. The income threshold is R97,320 per year for single applicants and R194,640 per year for married applicants. The asset threshold is R379,400 for single applicants and R758,800 for married applicants.

Application Process

Here is how you can submit the application.

Through Online Website

Register yourself on the official SASSA portal from the online website.
Log into your account and click Apply.
Fill out the application form and upload the required documents. Click the Submit button.

Through SASSA Center

Visit the SASSA center.
Ask for a SASSA officer and fill out the application form in their presence.
Submit the documents.
They will give you a stamped receipt as proof of application.
Typically, it takes three months to hear from SASSA after the submission of the application.

Documents Required

You are required to submit the following documents for the SASSA older person grant.

A South African ID document (affidavit in case the ID is missing).
Refugee status permit or 13-digit refugee ID.
Proof of marital status (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, or an affidavit, if applicable).
Proof of residence.
Proof of income or dividends.
Proof of assets.
Three months bank statement.
Proof of private pension.
UIF fund or discharge certificate from the previous employer.

2. SASSA Disability Grant

The disability grant of SASSA is provided to people who are mentally or physically disabled for over six months. It applies to those permanently or temporarily disabled. The estimated monthly payment for the grant is around R2,090.

Eligibility Requirements

Here are a few prerequisites for the SASSA disability grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
The applicant must be between 18 and 59 years of age.
The applicant must not be receiving care from a state-run institution.
The applicant must live in the country at the time of the application.
The applicant must have a temporary or physical disability.
The disability must be intense enough to declare you unfit for employment for a period of six months or longer.
The applicant must undergo a medical examination by a state-appointed physician.
The applicant must not be receiving a state-funded aid or social grant.
According to the Means Test, the income threshold is R97,320 (for singles) and R194,640 combined (for married applicants). The asset threshold is R379,400 (for singles) and R758,800 (for married applicants).

Application Process

Here is how you can apply for the SASSA disability application.

Before you begin, get a formal medical assessment document declaring your disability (temporary or permanent).
Next, visit the nearest SASSA office and contact a SASSA representative.
If you are unable to visit the office, you can ask a family member or friend to apply for you by leveraging the power of attorney.
Fill out the applicant in the presence of an SASSA officer. Submit the documents, and you will receive a dated stamped receipt as proof of your application.

Documents Required

Here are the documents required for the SASSA application.

A South African national ID document.
Refugee status permit and a 13-digit barcode refugee ID.
Proof of marital status (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, or an affidavit, if applicable).
Proof of residence.
Proof of income and dividends, if applicable.
A medical report and functional assessment report declaring your disability.
Proof of assets, if applicable.
Proof of pension, if applicable.
Bank statement of three months.

3. SASSA War Veteran Grant

The SASSA war veteran grant is open for individuals who have served in WWII or the Korean War. They must be at least 60 years of age or disabled. The estimated value of this grant is approximately R2,110 per month.

Eligibility Requirements

One should meet a few prerequisites to apply for the SASSA war veteran grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident.
The applicant must be over 60 years of age. If not, you must be disabled.
The applicant must live in South Africa at the time of application.
The applicant must have fought in one of the following wars: the Second World War or the Korean War.
The applicant must not be receiving any other social grant.
The applicant must not be receiving support from a state-run institution.
The applicant must pass the criteria for the Means Test. The income threshold for single applicants is R97,320 per year and R194,640 for married applicants. The asset threshold for single applicants is R379,400 and R758,800 for married applicants.

Application Process

Here is how you can apply for the SASSA war veteran grant.

Visit your nearest SASSA center and ask for a SASSA assistant officer. He/ she will guide you through the process.
Fill out the application form and submit the document.
After this, you will get a dated stamp receipt as proof of your application.

Usually, it takes three months for SASSA to process your application.

Documents Required

You must provide the following documents for the application.

A South African ID document (affidavit in case the ID is missing).
Proof of service in the war.
Proof of disability if applicable.
Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, spouse death certificate, affidavit if applicable).
Proof of residence.
Proof of income and dividends.
Proof of assets.
Proof of three months’ bank statements and private pension, if applicable.
UIF fund or discharge certificate from the previous employer.

4. SASSA Child Support Grant

The child support grant applies to biological parents or primary caregivers who want financial assistance to care for children under 18 years of age. The monthly value of this grant is R510 per child. Aside from this, you receive R250 monthly for each child.

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet the requirements to apply for the SASSA child support grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
The applicant and the child must live in South Africa at the time of application.
The applicant must be the primary caregiver of the child. It can be the parent, grandparent, or primary guardian.
The applicant must not receive care for the child from other sources, including state-run institutions.
The child must be under 18 years old at the time of application.
The child must be attending school.
The applicant and their spouse must meet the Means Test requirement. The income threshold for single applicants is R61,200 per year and R122,400 yearly for married applicants.

Application Process

Here is how you can apply for the SASSA child support grant.

Through Online Website

Visit the official SASSA website and register yourself. Provide personal details and set up a password.
Log into the website and click the Apply button.
Complete the application form and double-check it. Once done, upload the required documents in a PDF format.
Once satisfied, submit the application.

Through SASSA Office

Visit your nearest SASSA office and contact a SASSA officer.
He/ she will guide you through the application.
Fill out the application in the presence of the SASSA officer. Upload the documents once done.
You will get a dated receipt as proof of the application.

Typically, applications for this grant are assessed within 90 days.

Documents Required

You must submit the following documents for the SASSA child support grant.

The applicant’s South African ID document (affidavit in case of missing ID document).
The child’s birth certificate (affidavit in case of missing ID document).
Your spouse’s South African ID document, if applicable.
Proof of household income (payslips if employed, UIF card if they receive UIF, three months bank statement, affidavit if unemployed, and pension receipt if applicable).
Proof of child maintenance or proof that the biological parents are not providing child maintenance.
Proof that the applicant is the child’s primary caregiver. It can be an affidavit from the police station, a social worker report, an affidavit from the child’s biological parent, or a letter from the child’s school principal.

5. SASSA Foster Child Grant

If you are caring for a foster child and need financial assistance, the SASSA foster child grant might be the right decision. Do note that the child must be under your care through a legal court order. The value of this grant is approximately R1,130 per month.

Eligibility Criteria

One must fulfill the following requirements to become eligible for the foster child grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen. He/ she must have a recognized refugee status or permanent residency.
The applicant and the foster child must reside in South Africa at the time of application.
The applicant must take care of the child as a foster parent or a guardian.
The foster child under your care must be certified as the following status according to the court order: orphaned, neglected, at risk, abused, or abandoned.
The foster child must be under the age of 18.
The foster child must meet the requirements of the means test. The mean test is a method to find the applicant’s income according to the SASSA criteria.

Application Process

Here is how you can apply for the SASSA foster child grant.

SASSA Center Application

First, make an appointment with any social worker recognized by the Department of Social Development. He/ she will give you a court order declaring you as a foster parent of the child.
Once you get the decree, visit your nearest SASSA office and convey your requirements.
Fill out the application form in the presence of a SASSA officer and submit the document. You will receive a dated stamp as proof of your application.

Online Application

Alternatively, you can visit the SASSA official website.

Register yourself as a user by providing a few personal details. Next, set up a new password.
Verify your phone number by entering the OTP received on the registered number.
Log in and click Apply to start the online application process.
Fill out the application form and upload the below-mentioned documents.

Your application has been submitted. Typically, SASSA takes two to three months to process your application to the next step. You can always check the updates from the online portal or SASSA status check.

Documents Required

Here are the documents you must submit along with the SASSA foster child grant application form.

13-digit bar-coded national identity document.
A refugee ID and status permit if you are a refugee.
The birth certificate and valid ID number of the foster child.
In case you do not have the child’s birth certificate or ID card number (fill out the SASSA standard affidavit form and submit it with a validated declaration attested by a reputable person and the Department of Home Affairs). Alternatively, you can submit a temporary ID document, a baptismal certificate, or a school certificate.
A court order suggests that you are the child’s legal foster parent.
A document verifying your marital status (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, or an affidavit if applicable).
Document that reveals the child’s earnings, if applicable.

6. SASSA Care Dependency Grant

The care dependency grant is open for caregivers or severely disabled children who are facing financial difficulties. For this grant, you must require in-house special care at home. The estimated value of this grant is around R2,090 per month.

Eligibility Requirements

You must fulfill the following requirements to apply for the SASSA care dependency grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen, a permanent resident, or a refugee.
The applicant must be the child’s parent, primary caregiver, or foster parent. The child must be under 18 years of age.
The applicant must not be receiving permanent care from a state-run institution.
The applicant and the child must reside in South Africa at the time of application.
The applicant must be able to prove that the child is receiving care or support services due to his/ her severe disability.
The applicant and their spouse must meet the requirements of the Means Test. The income threshold for single applicants is R250,800 per year, and R501,600 per year for married applicants.

Application Process

Here is how you can apply for the SASSA care dependency application.

Visit the nearest SASSA office and convey your intended purpose.
Fill out an application form in the presence of the SASSA officer.
Submit the application, and you will receive a dated receipt as proof of application.
Typically, applications for this grant are processed within thirty days of the application.

Documents Required

You are required to submit the following documents with the application.

The child’s birth certificate or ID document.
The applicant’s and their spouse’s ID document. (Affidavit if there is no ID document).
Proof of all household income (payslips if they are employed, UIF card if they are receiving UIF, affidavit if unemployed, and pension receipt if applicable).
Proof of child maintenance or proof to suggest that biological parents are unable to provide maintenance for the child.
Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, spouse death certificate, affidavit if applicable).
A court order proving you are the foster parent.
Medical assessment report from a doctor declaring a child’s disability.
Sworn document of the applicant and their spouse’s income.

7. SASSA Grant-In-Aid

The SASSA grant-in-aid applies to current grant holders who cannot take care of themselves. For 2024, this grant is available to the beneficiaries of the Old Age, Disability, and War Veteran grant holders. The estimated value of the grant is around R480 per month and is paid to hire someone for in-house care.

Eligibility Criteria

You must fulfill the following requirements to apply for the SASSA grant-in-aid.

The applicant must be receiving one of the following grants (older person grant, disability grant, war veteran grant).
The applicant must meet the criteria for at least one of the three grants mentioned above.
The applicant must not be able to care for themselves due to a physical or mental disability.
The applicant must have a medical assessment report suggesting they require full-time care.
The applicant must not be receiving care from a state-run institution.

Application Process

Here are two ways through which you can apply for the SASSA grant-in-aid.

Through Online Website

Visit the online SASSA website.
Register yourself as a new user and provide some personal details. Set up a password and log into the portal.
Click Apply to start the application. Complete the application form and submit the documents.
Your application has been submitted.

Through SASSA Office

Visit your nearest SASSA office and contact an officer.
Fill in the application in the presence of a SASSA officer and submit the documents.
Ideally, you should submit the application when you are applying for an older person grant, disability grant, or war veteran grant.
If you are unable to visit the office due to sickness, ask a family member or friend to act as your beneficiary.

Typically, applications for this grant are processed within 30 business days.

Documents Required

You are required to submit the following documents for the application.

A South African ID document.
A completed and signed Affidavit for SASSA grant-in-aid.
Medical assessment report confirming your disability. It should not be older thanthree3 months.
Proof of marital status (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, or an affidavit, if applicable).

8. SRD R350 Grant

The Social Relief Distress grant provides relief to citizens hit by temporary disasters, including Covid-19. It helps deserving people meet their ends monthly. The approximate monthly value of the SRD grant is R350.

Eligibility Requirements

Here are the requirements for the SRD R350 grant.

The applicant must be a South African citizen, a refugee, an asylum seeker with a valid permit, or a special permit holder in South Africa.
The applicant must be between 18 and 60 years of age.
According to the means test, The applicant must earn less than R624 per month.
The applicant must be unemployed and not receive financial support from other sources.
The applicant must not receive social grants, including UIF payments or NSFAS stipend.
The applicant must not have refused employment or educational opportunities.

Application Process

Here are a few ways through which you can submit the SASSA R350 application.

Through WhatsApp Application

Use your registered phone number to send a message to 082 046 8553 through WhatsApp.
Once you receive a response, provide the required personal details.
They will send you a reference number, OTP, and an application.
Use the link to verify your account and confirm the details through WhatsApp.

Through SRD Website

Visit the SRD website (srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/application/auth) and click Apply. Provide your phone number and click Send SMS.
You will receive a 6-digit OTP. Insert the pin and verify the pin.

Documents Required

Here are a few documents required to submit an application successfully.

A South African national ID document, a Green ID book, an asylum permit, or a special residency permit with a passport.
A registered phone number.

SASSA Contact Details

Toll-free Call Center: 0800 60 10 11
Head Office: 012 400 2322
Email: [email protected]

FAQs

The South African Social Security Agency pays SASSA grants or social grants. They are designed to help people in need (older people, disabled people, war veterans, financially distressed people, etc) so they can manage their monthly expenses.

There are a total of eight grants under SASSA.

The estimated value of the SASSA disability grant is R2,090 per month.

Final Thoughts

SASSA grants are an excellent opportunity for anyone in need of financial assistance. They are straightforward and easy to apply. I hope this guide has been helpful for anyone trying to figure out how to apply for SASSA grant applications.