Types of SASSA Social Grants in South Africa

It distributes various types of grants to approximately 18 million South Africans through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

In this section, we will describe the types of grants SASSA awards, as well as grant amounts and some basic criteria. Detailed information about any of these grants can be found by clicking on the link next to the grant type. 

What is a Social Grant?

The South African government provides social grants to citizens, permanent residents, and refugees in need. SASSA, the South African government’s national agency for social assistance, administers social grants.

Individuals who do not have the means to support themselves benefit from Social Grants, which provide financial assistance to the elderly, people with children, and/or persons with disabilities.

South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees (with official refugee status in the country) are eligible to apply for the Social Grant.

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SRD GRANT

Social Relief of Distress grants (SRDs) were established to help those in desperate need during the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in the loss of many jobs (particularly for lower earners).

SRD grants are available to individuals who meet the following criteria:

• For a period of less than six months, the household breadwinner must be medically unable to work
• Applicants must be enrolled in a public or private institution for a minimum of one month
• There must have been a death in the household or the breadwinner must have retired
• If you are awaiting payment of a social grant, you must be eligible
• If your area/community has not been declared a disaster area, you must have been affected by a disaster.

An SRD grant application must be submitted within 12 months of the breadwinner’s death.

SRD Grants are currently valued at R350 per month.

Also, read How to Change SASSA R350 Payment Method?

CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT

Care Dependency Grants (CDG) are social grants designed to assist caregivers of severely disabled children. In order to qualify, a child must be under the age of 18, have a permanent disability, and need permanent care/support due to their disability. Having a child who requires a great deal of professional care can be very expensive, which is why this grant was created to help alleviate a portion of the burden on parents.

Foster parents or primary caregivers can be the caregivers (grant recipients).

Note that if the caregiver cares for the child full-time for more than six months in a government institution, the grant will become ineligible.

Care Dependency Grants are currently valued at R2 080 per month.

CHILD SUPPORT GRANT

Child Support Grants (CSG) are intended to help biological parents or permanent caregivers who are unable to support their child or children. Primary caregivers of children under 18 are eligible to receive the CSG grant.

A primary caregiver must meet the following requirements to receive the grant:

• Minimum age of 16 years old
• An unrelated person or the biological parent of the child
• A person who is responsible for providing all the basic needs of a child

People who are not biological parents of the children are eligible to receive the grant. It is only when these individuals prove that they are the primary caregiver that they qualify for the grant.

R500 per month is the current value of the Child Support Grant (plus a top-up of R250).

DISABILITY GRANT

Disabled individuals can apply for the Disability Grant (DG) if they cannot work due to their disability.
Individuals can apply for the Grant if they meet the following criteria:

• A person between the ages of 18 and 59
• A disability that affects your physical or mental well-being
• Incapable of obtaining money/means to survive

There are two types of DGs: temporary and permanent, spanning six to twelve months. The grant recipient will have to reapply for the grant if their temporary DG expires and they have not recovered from their illness.

If you are applying for a disability grant, you must provide proof of your disability (either a medical assessment or a report that must be no older than three months).

In the current year, the Disability Grant is valued at R2 080 per month (on a sliding scale, but this is the maximum amount). 

Also, read SASSA Grant Increases for 2023 & 2024

FOSTER CHILD GRANT

Children living in foster care can apply for a Foster Child Grant (FCG) through a Children’s Court. In order for the child to be placed in foster care, he or she must be under the age of 18. Foster parents (people who have custody of a child but are not biological parents) will receive grants.

Social workers from the Provincial Department of Social Development assist the Magistrates Court in selecting the foster parent. Foster parents must submit a court order indicating foster care status and reside in South Africa with their child in order to qualify for the FCG.

Prior to the grant expiring, a social worker will need to assess the case to ensure the child’s circumstances have not changed. The grant will only be valid during the duration of the court order. It is necessary to obtain a court order extension in this case, and depending on the length of the extension, the grant may be extended until its next expiration date.

If a child attends an institution of learning, an FCG can continue until 21 years of age. In order to receive FCG benefits, an application must be completed every year after the child turns 18 years old, with evidence that the child attended school and an extension order.

Disability Grants are currently valued at R1 120 per month.

OLDER PERSONS GRANT

In addition to the old age grant and old age pension, the old person’s grant is for individuals over the age of 60. No grant can be received by these individuals if they are in a government institution. Those residing in subsidized facilities (like old age homes) can still apply for the grant if they are residents. Means tests will also be administered to applicants based on their income and assets.

Older Persons Grants are currently worth R2 080 or R2 100 per month (people aged 60-75 receive the lesser amount, while those aged 75 and older receive the larger amount).

Also, read Moya App SASSA status Check

GRANT-IN-AID

An additional grant awarded to individuals who receive a Social Grant but need assistance with specific tasks is known as a Grant-In-Aid (GIA).

Old Age, Disability, or War Veteran Grant recipients in need of regular assistance are eligible for GIA.

A grant for severe physical and/or mental afflictions will help those who cannot bathe, clean their house, do laundry, wash themselves, or interact with others on a daily basis.

Currently, Grant-In-Aid is valued at R500 per month.

Also, read SASSA Status Pending

WAR VETERANS GRANT

War Veterans Grants (WVGs) are awarded to former service members who served during the Second World War or Korean War. In addition to being older than 60 years old, disabled, living in a state institution, and not receiving any other adult grant, these individuals must also be indigent.

R2 100 per month is the current value of the War Veterans grant.

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Conclusion

The SASSA social grants program is one of the most important tools in the fight against poverty and inequality in South Africa. The organizations provide much-needed financial support to vulnerable individuals and families, enabling them to lead happier and healthier lives.

Also, read How to Change Number on Sassa Application?