AS the unemployment rate deepens and families struggle to make ends meet amid rising living costs, social grants continue to provide a critical lifeline for millions of South Africans in need.

A social grant is a form of financial assistance provided by the government to support individuals and families who are unable to meet their basic needs.

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Social grants are administered by the South African Social Security Agency(Sassa) on behalf of the government.

Older person’s grant

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• The applicant must reside in South Africa.
• Must be 60 years of age or older.
• The applicant must not be in receipt of another social grant for him or herself.
• The applicant and spouse must comply with the means test (Financial assessment).
• The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution.

Child support grant

• The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
• The applicant must be the primary caregiver of the child/children concerned.
• The child/children must be under the age of 18 years
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
• An applicant can not apply for more than six non-biological children.
• The child can not be cared for in state institution.

Disability grant

• The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• The applicant must be resident in South Africa.
• Must be 18 to 59 years of age.
• Submit a medical or assessment report confirming the impact of disability.
• Medical assessment must not be older than three months at date of application.
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
• The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution.
• Not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of him or herself.

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Care dependency grant

• The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa.
• Child must be under the age of 18 years.
• Submit a medical / assessment report confirming permanent, severe disability.
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test (except for foster parents).
• The care-dependent child/children must not be permanently cared for in a state institution.

Grant-in-aid

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A receipt of a grant for Older Persons, Disability grant or a war veteran’s grant, and require regular attendance by another person for activities of daily living owing to his/her physical or mental disabilities.
• Must not be cared for in an institution that receives subsidy from the state for the care or housing of such applicant.

How to contact Sassa?

For any queries relating to how to apply for a social grant, contact Sassa on 0800 601011.

Alternatively, email grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za

How to report fraud?

National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701.

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