SASSA Grant/ Social Grants: A Comprehensive Guide

By Trev Gami •  Updated: 01/10/25 •  6 min read

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) administers different types of grants to vulnerable citizens to improve their livelihoods. However, to qualify for these grants, one should fulfil different things. Here is a complete and comprehensive guide to SASSA grants. 

Who Qualifies for SASSA Social Grant?

SASSA manages different forms of grants, and you need to meet certain requirements to qualify for the assistance offered. The following are some of the conditions required to be eligible for a specific grant.  

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Older Person Grant

All people who qualify for this kind of grant must be South African citizens, refugees, or permanent residents who are above 60 years. The applicant must not be a recipient of another social grant or looked after in a state institution. You will also need a 13-bar coded identity document to qualify for the older person grant. 

Child Support Grant

Child support grant is specifically meant for lower-income households to assist the parents in meeting their children’s basic needs. To qualify for this grant, your annual income must not be more than R52 800 or R4 400 per month if you are a single parent. The combined income of married people should not be more than R105 600 per year or R8 000 a month. 

The parent must provide a letter from the school’s principal where the child is learning or a report from a social worker. The primary caregiver must be a permanent resident or South African citizen. The child must not be more than 18 years or under the care of a state institution. Additionally, the primary caregiver living with the child must not be paid for the service. You cannot get SASSA grant for more than six children who are not biological or legally adopted. 

Disability Grant

Permanent residents, refugees, or South African Citizens living with disabilities qualify to get this particular grant. You need to submit a medical report not older than three months confirming severe or permanent disability and be 18 to 59 years. Additionally, you must not be getting another social grant or living in a state institution.  

War Veterans Grant

Former soldiers who participated in the Second World War (1939-1945) or Korean War (1950-1953) are eligible to get this grant. To qualify, you must be a South African Citizen or permanent resident. You must be disabled or above 60 years. You should not be getting any social grant or being cared for in a state institution. 

Single people should not earn more than R86 280 per year or more than R172 560 if married. Your assets must be less than R1 227 600 if you are single or R2 455 200 for married people. 

Care Dependency Grant

If you look after a child with severe disabilities, you qualify to get the Care Dependency Grant. The caregiver and child must be South African citizens or permanent residents. The child must be below 18 years, and a medical report confirming severe disability must be submitted. The child must not be under the care of a state institution. 

Foster Child Grant

The foster care grant is paid to foster parents according to a court order, and these should be permanent residents, refugees, or South African Citizens. The child must live with the foster parent. 

Grant In Aid 

Grant in aid helps assist vulnerable people with medical bills, purchase nutritious food, and compensate the person looking after the patient. The recipient of this grant must also be getting older persons grant, require care by another person, and must not be under the care of a state institution.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Documents Needed to Apply for Social Grant

To apply for a social grant, you must submit various documents at your nearest SASSA office, depending on the type of grant you want. The following are some of the documents you must have.   

How Do I Apply for Sassa 2025?

To Apply for the grant, take the above-mentioned documents and visit your nearest SASSA office. The forms are not available online. You must complete the application in the presence of a SASSA official who will take your fingerprints. You will get a receipt, and you must keep it as proof.

If you are too sick to visit the SASSA office, you can send someone to do it on your behalf. It can take up to three months for the application to be processed. If your application is approved, you will get payment from the date you submitted your application. 

SASSA will inform you in writing if your application was unsuccessful. However, you can appeal the decision at the Ministry of Social Development, and you must do so within 90 days. For general inquiries, you can contact SASSA on the toll-free number 0800 60 1011 or send an email to GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za

Who Does Not Qualify for Sassa Grants?

There are different types of grants managed by SASSA, and the requirements for one to qualify have been explained above. You must meet all of the requirements stipulated for each type of grant to ensure your application is accepted. More importantly, you must live in South Africa as a citizen, permanent resident, or refugee. Be sure to provide all the necessary documents to make the application process seamless. 

What Are the 4 Types of Social Grants?

The four common types of social grants are child support grants, old persons grant, disability grand, and foster grants. These are the categories with the most vulnerable people who require assistance, although there are various forms of social grants, as explained above. 

Are SASSA Applications Open for 2025?

People’s social circumstances change every day, which can prompt them to apply for social grants. SASSA applications are open for 2025, and this is usually an ongoing process. If you want to apply for a grant, you can visit your nearest SASSA office and complete your application. You will get a formal notification if your application is successful or not. 

SASSA social grants are meant to assist the vulnerable and less-privileged members of society. To qualify for the grant, you must meet certain conditions. You also need to provide the necessary documents to get the grant.   

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

How to Check If My SASSA Money Is In My Account?

How to Check If My SASSA Money Is In My Account?

Today we cover some common methods you can use to check if your SASSA money is in your account for you to use.

How Many Children Can Get SASSA Grant?

How Many Children Can Get SASSA Grant?

Luckily, you can receive the grant for more than one child, provided you meet the criteria to apply for the grant. Here’s some more information to help

How to Use Moya App For SASSA Grant

How to Use Moya App For SASSA Grant

In this article, we will share with you how you can apply for SASSA R350 using the Moya app, the usage of the Moya app & the payment method of SASSA

How to Avoid Delayed SRD Grant Payments

How to Avoid Delayed SRD Grant Payments

How to Avoid Delayed SRD Grant Payments. If you want to learn how to avoid delayed SRD grant payments, keep on reading. 

How Long Does It Take to Replace A Sassa Card

How Long Does It Take to Replace A Sassa Card

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Sassa Card. Keep on reading to learn how long it takes to get a replacement for SASSA card. 

How Old Must You Be to Apply for a SASSA Grant?

How Old Must You Be to Apply for a SASSA Grant?

This article covers the age criteria for different SASSA grants, eligibility requirements for the SASSA Relief Grant

How to Get SASSA Reference Number

How to Get SASSA Reference Number

Each SASSA applicant gets a unique identifier, known as the application reference number. Read on to learn how to get a SASSA reference number. 

How to Withdraw Money from SASSA Account Without Card

How to Withdraw Money from SASSA Account Without Card

This article will show you how to withdraw money from SASSA without a card through ABSA’s Cash Send or FNB’s E-Wallet

Who Qualifies for the Extended Child Support Grant?

Who Qualifies for the Extended Child Support Grant?

Ensure that you and the children you care for can access the necessary financial assistance with this comprehensive guide.

What Happens to SASSA If the Beneficiary Passed Away

What Happens to SASSA If the Beneficiary Passed Away

What Happens to SASSA If the Beneficiary Passed Away. When a SASSA grant beneficiary dies, the grant is usually cancelled

Why Is SASSA Application Declined Due to IRP5?

Why Is SASSA Application Declined Due to IRP5?

If you are having challenges with your SASSA application, this blog post will give you an insight into handling some of the rejections.

How to Check SASSA Balance Without Airtime or through the website

How to Check SASSA Balance Without Airtime or through the website

You can check your SASSA balance with your phone and without airtime or through the website by following these easy steps

What Is Non-SASSA Declaration Form?

What Is Non-SASSA Declaration Form?

What Is Non-SASSA Declaration Form?. A non-SASSA declaration form is a document that validates an individual to be an orphan

How to Apply for a SASSA Easy Pay Loan

How to Apply for a SASSA Easy Pay Loan

How to Apply For SASSA Child Support Top-Up

How to Apply For SASSA Child Support Top-Up

How to Apply For SASSA Child Support Top-Up. Read on to learn how to apply for SASSA child support top-up.