The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which has operated since 2006, provides social payments to more than 16 million people nationwide. One of the nation’s premier government organizations, SASSA tackles societal challenges such as unemployment and poverty. Through the distribution of its numerous grants, SASSA aims to end poverty, advance social justice, and actively support the growth of the South African economy.
The South African government provides social aid to specific individuals under specific circumstances. These rewards are known as SASSA Grants.
Government funds are the source of money for SASSA’s Social Assistance program. The social grants offered by SASSA are:
- Pensioners or elderly people
- Grant for Disability
- Grant for Veterans of War
- Grants for care dependency,
- Grants for foster children
- Child Support
- Grant-in-aid
What are the requirements to be eligible for each grant?
SASSA grant has multiple categories for various age groups and other criteria. SASSA has a set of standards for each grant, making it eligible for financial support. These are as follows:
Old person Grant
The Old Age Grant is meant for elderly individuals incapable of providing for themselves financially or who cannot meet their basic monthly needs. You will be eligible for this grant if you fulfill the following requirements.
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident/refugee.
- 60 years of age or above is required.
- To be eligible for the SASSA grant, the applicant and their spouse (if married) must pass the means test, which verifies their assets and income.
- Not allowed to be kept up or cared for at a state facility
- No additional social grant may be received.
Disability Grant
The following requirements must be fulfilled to be eligible for the SASSA disability grant, which is intended for South Africans who are disabled / differently abled and cannot pay expenses because of specific physical or mental impairments.
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident/refugee.
- 18 to 59 years old is a requirement.
- Evidence of disability (medical or assessment report) must be submitted.
- While applying for the grant, the medical evaluation must be at most three months old.
- If the candidate is married, the applicant and their spouse must pass the means test.
- Not allowed to be kept up or cared for at a state facility
- No additional social grant may be received.
War Veteran’s Grant
To be eligible for the SASSA War Veterans Grant, the candidate must have served in the South African National Armed Forces and fulfill the following requirements:
- South African citizen or permanent resident is required/refugee.
- Must be disabled or at least 60 years old.
- Must have participated in the Korean War or World War II.
- Both the candidate and their spouse, if they are married, must pass the means test, which examines their assets and income.
- Not allowed to be kept up or cared for at a state facility
- No additional social grant may be received.
Foster Child Grant
To be eligible for the SASSA Foster Child Grant, which is intended to help specific South African children under the supervision of their foster parents, the following requirements must be fulfilled.
Foster parents must be citizens, permanent residents, or refugees of South Africa.
- A South African resident is required.
- A court decree specifying the foster care category must be available.
- The foster parent or foster parents must continue to care for the child.
Care Dependency Grant
Although it differs, the Dependency Grant seems almost identical to a child grant. This grant is available to adults and children who cannot pay monthly expenses. It may be awarded to a South African who is financially dependent on another individual.
- Must be a citizen, permanent resident, or refugee of South Africa.
- Both the candidate and the child need to be South African citizens.
- The child needs to be less than 18.
- The applicant must be the child(ren) primary caretaker.
- Foster parents are exempt from having to adhere to the means test.’
- If an applicant is married, the partner must pass the means test; foster parents are not eligible.
- Keeping or caring for a care-dependent child or children in a state institution is forbidden.
It’s crucial to remember:
- When foster parents seek this grant to support a foster kid, their income won’t be considered.
Child Support Grant
You need to see the eligibility criteria below to apply for this Grant. So the points corresponding to this are as follows-
- The primary caregiver must be a permanent resident, a citizen, or a refugee of South Africa.
- Both the candidate and the child should be South African citizens.
- The child should be less than 18.
- The applicant must be the kid or children’s primary caretaker.
- Must pass the means test (for additional information on the SASSA Means Test, click here).
- The applicant must pass the means test, and if they are married, their spouse must also qualify for the means test.
- Keeping or caring for the child or children in a state institution is forbidden.
Some Important Points to remember
- The applicant may not submit more than 6 non-biological children for this grant.
- Since ensuring that the children receive a sufficient education is one of the goals of this Grant, children between the ages of 7 and 18 must present their school enrollment certificate.
- The grant will only be accepted if you attend school or provide proof of completion.
Social Relief of Distress Grant
The following conditions must be met for those seeking to apply for the social relief of Distress grant. So, some of them are as follows-
- The applicant must be a permanent resident or a citizen of South Africa.
- The applicants who are applying are experiencing short-term/temporary financial difficulties.
Grants-in-aid
The following requirements must be met for approval of the SASSA Grant in-Aid.
- Complete medical evaluations and evidence are required to demonstrate a significant mental or physical disability.
- The guardian must be the applicant’s primary or closest relative to apply on the applicant’s behalf.
- The income level requirements must be fulfilled with medical documentation.
What You Need to Know: Prerequisites & Eligibility Check for SASSA Grants
Documents Required for the Application
Gather the following documentation for your application:
- Your ID
- Evidence of income, if any
- Evidence of residence
- Medical certifications (for grants for disabilities)
- court order (for funds for foster children)
How to Apply for the grant?
- Apply online or in person at the SASSA office closest to you.
- Carefully complete the application and send in the necessary paperwork.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for SRD SASSA Grant
Most applicants visit the SASSA office instead of applying online since they are unaware of the online technique. Where one can apply online in as little as two to five minutes. Before starting the application, make sure you have a reliable internet connection.
- Step 1: Click the link to visit the official SASSA website. Click here
- Step 2: You will be taken to the official website after tapping the link. If you have a South African ID, select the left option; if you’re an asylum seeker, tap the right option. Scroll down.
- Step 3: A new page requesting the phone number will appear if you select the left alternative.
- Step 4: After entering your registered cellphone number, you will receive a PIN, which you must enter in the designated space.
- Step 5: The application portal will appear after you tap Verify after entering it in the bar.
- Step 6: After carefully reading the terms and conditions form, press “Yes” to indicate your agreement.
- Step 7: Once the form has been submitted, you can submit another application.
- Step 8: Provide all your personal information, including your name, address, and ID number.
- Step 9: After submitting the initial page, a screen with financial information will appear, where you must choose a payment option.
- Step 10: Give the name and account number of the bank where you have an account.
- Step 11: You will receive a notification when you upload the application, letting you know it has been received.
- Step 12: Check SASSA Status periodically via the https://srdsassastatuscheck.web.za/ website. The payment will be delivered in a few days.
What to do Next?
It can take a while for SASSA to assess your application once you submit it. Meanwhile all you can do is check the status of your application and follow up if necessary.
Confirmation of the Grant
You will receive your grant after it is approved. SASSA will communicate to you when and how you will be paid.
What If the appeal gets rejected?
You have the right to appeal the decision if your appeal is rejected. For information on how to continue, get in touch with SASSA.
Manage Your Grant
- Making Use of the Funds
- Budgeting: Establish a spending plan that prioritizes necessities like housing and food.
- Financial Planning: Set up money for unforeseen expenses or emergencies.
- Updates and Renewal
- Grant Renewal: The majority of grants require periodic renewals. Remember the dates of renewal.
- Information Update: Notify SASSA of any modifications to your situation, including family status or income changes.
Conclusion
Therefore, before appealing for any SASSA grant, fulfill every prerequisite and do your best research because the criteria vary depending on the project. If you present or substantiate any requirements, you can get your grant approved.
FAQ’s
Q1. What kinds of social grants does Sassa offer?
Ans. The Sassa government handles some of the most specialized grants. Thus, here are a few of them:
- Pensioners or elderly people
- Grant for Disability
- Grant for Veterans of War
- Grants for care dependency,
- Grants for foster children
- Child Support
- Grant-in-aid
Q2. What do you mean by Sassa social grants?
Ans. Distributing social subsidies to different population segments who are economically vulnerable is a crucial function of the South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA). To ensure that the aged, crippled, children and those in need of special care receive the financial assistance they need to cover their daily living expenditures, these awards are intended to address their requirements.
Q3. What does Sassa means test mean?
Ans. When an applicant applies for a grant, they must pass a means test, in which the authority will look at all of their assets and income to determine whether or not they qualify for the grant. Additionally, there is a requirement that their spouse must take the same test if they are married.