The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) provides financial assistance to disadvantaged individuals through social grants and there are many grants that they currently offer.
The agency has received about 14 million applications for the Special Covid-19 R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. This grant was introduced to provide financial aid to unemployed individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Due to the challenges presented by the pandemic, SRD grant applicants could apply online on Sassa’s website, via email, WhatsApp. Facebook and GovChat.
The other social grants that Sassa distributes are the older persons grant, child support grant, care dependency grant, disability grant and the war veterans grant.
Here's where to apply for any of the above listed Sassa grants
If you are interested in applying for a social grant from Sassa then you must visit the Sassa office nearest to your house and fill out the grant application in the presence of a Sassa official.
Note: if you are too old or sick to travel to apply for a SASSA grant, you can nominate a family member or friend to apply on your behalf. (You must provide a letter authorising the application)
You can also choose to call Sassa and request a home visit.
If you choose to request a home visit, then the grant application will be filled out in the presence of a SASSA official. The other option is to make the Sassa application online.
The application fee is free.
Once you have completed the application, you will receive a receipt. It is important that you keep this receipt as it is the only proof of your application.
If your application is unsuccessful then Sassa should inform you in writing as to why your application was unsuccessful.
Sassa has said that applicants have the right to appeal this decision if they are unhappy with the decision. If Sassa still finds that you do not qualify for the grant after you have appealed, you have the right to appeal to the Minister of Social Development.
The application appeal must be made within 90 days of when you were informed that your grant application was rejected.
For more information on the grants offered by Sassa, click here.
