The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) provides millions of people with social grant payments. If you require a social grant you can apply for a grant through Sassa. Sassa distributes several different permanent grants to people living in South Africa.
Permanent grants distributed by Sassa include the Older Persons pension grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant, Care Dependency grant, Foster Child grant, Child Support grant, Child Support grant Top-Up and Grant-in-aid.
Applications for Sassa grants for next year are now open.
How To Apply For Sassa Grants
Visit Your Local Sassa Branch
You can apply for a grant by visiting your nearest Sassa office, where staff will guide you through the application process. If you can't apply due to illness or age, you can authorise someone to apply on your behalf.
Online Application
Sassa also offers online applications for Child Support, Older Persons, and Disability Grants.
Steps to apply online:
- Visit the Sassa Services Portal.
- Register as a new user.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Click "Apply For A Grant."
- Select the grant you wish to apply for (e.g., Older Persons, Child Support, Foster Child).
- Complete the application form thoroughly.
- Print the affidavit generated by Sassa and have it certified by a Commissioner of Oaths.
- Print, sign, and submit the Bank Payment form with the certified affidavit.
- Upload all required supporting documents in PDF format.
- Submit your application. You'll receive a confirmation email or SMS with a reference number for tracking.
Refer to the Sassa website for the required documents for each grant type.
Eligibility Criteria for Sassa Grants
As of 1 October 2023, specific asset and income thresholds apply to certain grants:
- Older Persons, Disability, and War Veterans Grants: The asset limit is R1,247,400 for a single person and R2,494,800 for a married couple. The income limit is R87,720 per annum for a single person and R175,440 for a married couple.
- Child Support Grant: The income limit is R55,200 for a single individual and R110,400 for a married couple.
The Foster Child Grant and Care Dependency Grant are not means-tested. However, the Care Dependency Grant has an asset threshold of R226,800 for a single parent or primary caregiver and R453,600 for a married couple.
How to Apply for the SRD Grant
- Select your citizenship status ("South African ID Holder" or "Asylum Seeker/Special Permit Holder") at the bottom of the webpage.
- Click the yellow "Click here to apply online" bar under the relevant section.
- Enter your mobile number, click "Send SMS," and enter the one-time pin (OTP) sent to your phone for verification. Follow the prompts to complete your application.
Eligibility for the SRD Grant
To qualify for the SRD Grant, applicants must be 18-59 years old, unemployed, and not exceed the income threshold of R624 in their bank account. Beneficiaries may also receive other financial assistance like NSFAS bursaries, UIF benefits, or other Sassa grants.
Be sure to check the Sassa status of your application after submitting it.
