Types of Grants in South Africa

Understanding the 8 Types of SASSA Grants in South Africa

SASSA is a government agency established by the government of South Africa in 2005. It provides social relief grants to those who need financial support from the government. Nearly 46% of South Africans are currently receiving grants from SASSA. It offers eight types of grants that provide financial assistance to people for a better life.

In this article, I will elaborate on the eight types of SASSA grants, their eligibility criteria, and the mean test. Further, I will discuss the process of applying for the grants and the monthly payments for these grants.

Eight Types of Government Grants in South Africa 

There are eight kinds of SASSA grants, each with different eligibility criteria. One of the most basic requirements for SASSA grants is that you should be a citizen of South Africa, a refugee, or a permanent resident. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully to determine if you meet the criteria for any grant.

1. SRD R370 Grant (Formerly R350 Grant)

The SASSA introduced the SRD R370 grant during COVID-19. It aims to financially support those who lost their jobs during the pandemic, and now it provides financial assistance to those unable to meet their expenses. If you are not a beneficiary of any other grant or unemployment fund, you can apply for the SRD grant. 

Eligibility Criteria

You have to fulfill this criteria to apply for the SRD R350 grant:

  • You should be between 18 to 60 years old.
  • You should not be a beneficiary of any other kind of SASSA grant.
  • You should not be a member of UIF.
  • Currently, you must be living in South Africa.
  • You should be currently unemployed. Besides, you do not have any other means of income.
  • Further, you should not be receiving funds from NSFAS.

In April 2024, when the grant payment increased from R350 to R370, its name was also updated to R370. You will receive a total of R370 monthly. Please read the complete application procedure for the SRD R370 grant from our guide.

2. Old Age Grant

It provides financial support to those poor people who cannot work to support themselves. If you are over 60 and do not have any source of income, then you can apply for the old age grant.

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for the Old Age grant, please ensure you fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

  • Your age should be 60 or more.
  • You are not getting any other social grants.
  • Currently, you are living in South Africa.
  • You are not staying in a government institute.
  • You have to pass the mean test.

You will receive R2,090 monthly. You can apply for the grant by visiting the SASSA official website or the SASSA office in your city. Please read our guide on Old Age Grant for the application process and mean test. 

3. Disability Grant

SASSA provides disability grants to those people who cannot fulfill their needs due to mental or physical disability. If you cannot work for over 6 months, you can apply for the SASSA disability grant.

Eligibility Criteria

You have to meet the following eligibility criteria for a disability grant:

  • You should have a mental or physical disability, whether it is short-term or long-term disability.
  • You should not be receiving any other social grant.
  • Your age should be between 18 to 59 years.
  • You should be residing in South Africa.
  • You are not admitted to a government institute.
  • Further, you should pass the mean test for a disability grant.
  • You must have a medical report verifying your disability.

The disability grant amount is R2,090 monthly. You should have a 13-digit South African ID card before applying for a disability grant. If you do not have an ID card, you must have a sworn statement and an affidavit. Please read our Disability Grant guide for more information.

4. SASSA War Veterans Grant

If you are a South African soldier who fought in the Second World War and the Korean War and now cannot meet your expenses, you can apply for this grant. To be eligible for this grant, you should be 60 or older. Further, you can still apply for the grant if you are under 60 but face any disability.

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, ensure that you are fulfilling the following requirements for the War Veterans grant:

  • You must have served in the Korean War or Second World War. 
  • Your age should be 60 or more.
  • You should not be receiving any other grant.
  • You should be currently living in South Africa.
  • Further, you are not staying in a government institute.
  • You should pass the mean test.

You can apply for a War Veterans grant by visiting the local SASSA office or the official website. The monthly payment for the War Veteran grant is R2,110. Please read our SASSA War Veterans Grant guide for the complete application procedure.

5. Child Support Grant

You can apply for the Child Support Grant if you are a caregiver or a parent of a child but cannot fulfill their needs. This grant aims to provide a helping hand to those who are unable to provide the basic necessities for their child. You are eligible for a Child Support grant if your child is 18 or younger.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Child Support grant are:

  • The age of your child should be 18 or less.
  • Your child should not be residing in a state-funded institute.
  • You are a foster parent, biological parent, or child caregiver.
  • Your child lives with you in the same house as you in South Africa.
  • You should pass the mean test.
  • You should have school reports or attendance evidence in case your child is going to school.

The monthly payment for this grant is R760 monthly. You should have a 13-digit ID card before applying for the grant. If you do not have an ID, you should have a sworn statement or an affidavit. You can read our guide at Child Support Grant Application for further guidance.

Note: You cannot apply for a Child Support grant for more than 6 children.

6. Foster Care Grant

If you are taking care of a foster child but cannot fulfill his basic needs, you can apply for the Foster Care grant. A foster parent is a person who is not a biological parent of a child but temporarily takes care of a child and is appointed by a valid court and child protection organization. 

Eligibility Criteria

If you need financial assistance from the SASSA to take care of the child, then you must fulfill this criteria:

  • You are a foster parent of a child appointed by the Court or child organization.
  • The age of your child should be less than 18 years. 
  • You and your child must be residing in South Africa.
  • You should be 18 years or older.

As there is no mean test for the foster parent, SASSA still examines the financial condition of your foster child. The monthly payment for the Foster Care grant is R1180. Please ensure you have the legal appointment orders before applying for the grant. For further guidance and application process, please read our guide on Foster Care Grant.

7. SASSA Care Dependency Grant

It offers financial assistance to those caring for a disabled child. If you are a biological parent, foster parent, or guardian of a child and are unable to fulfill the basic needs of the child, you can apply for a care dependency grant. You can only apply for the grant if your child is permanently disabled.  

Eligibility Criteria

You have to fulfill the following requirements to qualify for the grant:

  • You must be a parent, a caretaker, a foster parent, or a guardian of a disabled child legally appointed by the Court.
  • The age of your child should be less than 18 years.
  • Your child should not be admitted to any government institute, such as a hospital. 
  • You should have a medical report detailing that your child needs full-time care and has permanent disability. 
  • You and your child should be residing in South Africa.

SASSA Care Dependency grant offers R2180 per month to support your child. If you are a foster parent, then you do not have to pass the mean test. You can check the mean test and application procedure from our guide on SASSA Care Dependency Grant.

8. SASSA Grant in Aid

This grant provides financial assistance to those already receiving a social grant but need help to look after themselves. It offers additional money to hire a person for full-time care. You must be a holder of disability grant, war veteran’s grant, or old age grant to qualify for a SASSA grant in aid.

Eligibility Criteria

You have to meet the following eligibility criteria to receive a grant in aid:

  • You must be a grant holder of any of these grants: war veteran grants, disability grants, or old age grants. 
  • You should be unable to take care of yourself because of any mental or physical disability.
  • Besides, you must not be admitted to any government institute, such as a hospital.
  • You should have a medical report that states you need full-time care.

The amount of grant in aid is R530 monthly. Please ensure you have a medical report before applying for the SASSA grant in aid. Please read our guide on SASSA Grant-In-Aid for the application process and required documents.

Apply for the SASSA Grants Through the Official Website

This is the most common method to apply for a SASSA grant. If you are fulfilling the eligibility criteria of any SASSA grant then you can apply online by visiting the SASSA Service Portal. The following application process is the same for all SASSA grants:

  • Firstly, go to the SASSA Service Portal by clicking this link: https://services.sassa.gov.za/portal/r/sassa/sassa/home. 
  • Once you click, a new webpage will appear on your screen. Now, go to the “Register a new account” section. Click the “Register” button. Now, a form will display on your screen. 
  • Now, fill out this form with all your personal information correctly. It includes your citizenship status, ID number, full name, surname, phone number, residence address, email address, and any other required personal information.
  • After filling out the form, please double-check the information you provided to avoid any errors. Once done, click the ‘Register Me’ button.
  • SASSA will send a one-time PIN to your given phone number. Now, enter this OTP on the web page to complete the registration process. Please remember that this OTP remains valid for only 1 minute.
  • Now, log into your account using your username, which is your ID number and password.
  • When logged in to your account, go to the first section, “Apply for the Grant,” and click the “Apply for the grant”  button. 
  • Upon clicking, a new section will appear on the webpage. You have to select the grant you want to apply for from this list. After selecting the grant, click “Continue” button.
  • Now, another form will display on your screen. You have to enter all the required information in the form.
  • Lastly, you have to submit all these required documents in a PDF form:
  • One copy of your ID document
  • One copy of your Spouse ID document (only if applied)
  • Proof of your Marital status
  • The SASSA-generated document, which is signed by the Oath commissioner
  • Last six months Bank Statement
  • Proof of your income
  • Now, click the “Submit” button.

Finally! You have successfully submitted your grant application. Please remember that the required information and documents vary from grant to grant.

Apply for the SASSA Grants Through the SASSA Office

If you do not have internet access, you can also apply offline by visiting the nearest SASSA office. Firstly, go to the nearest SASSA office and fill out the application form provided by the SASSA. If you cannot fill out these forms, then the SASSA officer will help you fill this form. Now, attach the required documents with your application form. Lastly, submit your application form with the required documents to the SASSA official. 

After submitting your document, the SASSA officer will conduct a short interview to find out whether you are eligible. Then, the SASSA officer will provide a receipt with his name as proof that you have applied for the grant. Please remember that you have to keep this receipt safe as proof that you have applied for the grant.

Processing Time for the Grant

SASSA usually takes 60 to 90 days to process a grant application. However, the processing time can vary by the number of grant applications SASSA receives since the day you applied for the grant. You can check your application progress by checking your SASSA status. Once selected, you will receive your grant payments from the day you applied. If SASSA rejects your application, they will send a written letter explaining why you are not eligible for the grant.

Conclusion

SASSA provides eight types of grants to eliminate poverty in South Africa. If you need financial assistance from SASSA then you can apply for any SASSA grant based on your eligibility. You can apply for a grant online by going to the official SASSA Service Portal. If you do not have an internet connection, you can also apply by visiting the nearest SASSA office. Once your grant application is approved, you will receive the grant payment from the day you applied.

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