The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has provided clarity on the medical assessment process for disability grant applicants. To ensure accurate and fair assessments, all contracted medical practitioners undergo specialized training.
This training covers essential areas such as disability assessment guidelines, management processes, and relevant legislation.
A statement released by Sassa clarified:
South African Social Security Agency would like to assure all applicants for Disability grant that contracted medical practitioners receives training before they start any disability related assessment.
Eligibility for a Disability Grant
To qualify for a Sassa disability grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee living in South Africa
- Have a confirmed disability through a medical assessment
- Be unable to participate in the open labor market or support oneself due to the disability
It's important to note that a permanent disability must last for more than a year, while a temporary disability is considered if it prevents employment for at least six months. However, applicants must be willing to work if they are able to do so.
Booking Your Disability Assessment
Sassa encourages applicants to book their assessments online through the client portal for convenience. Those without internet access can visit their nearest SASSA office.
Upon successful booking, applicants will receive a confirmation with the assessment date, time, and location, as well as an SMS reminder.
