SASSA Social Grants – SRD Grant Eligibility And Payments

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is a governmental organization in South Africa that offers monthly SASSA social grants to individuals experiencing financial challenges. Approximately 19 million individuals in South Africa depend on these social grants. SASSA offers various types of grants, each with specific eligibility criteria and subject to a means test to determine the level of financial need.

Check SASSA Grant Status & Payment Dates

This article can guide you through the various types of grants offered by SASSA, explain the differences between them, and assist you in choosing the right grant to apply for based on your specific needs and circumstances. I will cover the eligibility criteria for each grant and the monthly payment amounts for each one.

What are SASSA social grants?

Social grants are the monthly payments SASSA gives to permanent residents of South Africa, including citizens, asylum seekers, and special permit holders who need financial assistance.

SASSA performs a means test to confirm the income and assets of applicants before approval. This process ensures that the grants are allocated to those in need and meet the criteria for assistance.

Types of SASSA Social Grants in South Africa

SASSA manages 8 types of government grants in South Africa,  To be eligible for these grants, individuals must meet the basic criteria of being a South African citizen, permanent resident, or a recognized refugee. Review the requirements for each category to determine your eligibility before submitting your application.

1. SRD R370 Grant

The Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD), also referred to as Temporary Assistance, was introduced as a means of offering temporary financial aid to individuals experiencing financial hardships in meeting their family’s needs. Due to its effectiveness, the government has decided to extend the grant’s validity until April 2025.

The applicant must fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned below to qualify for the SRD grant.

If your social grant application has been approved but you haven’t received the first payment yet.

If the main income earner in your family becomes temporarily disabled (for less than 6 months).

If the main provider of the household has passed away, the family should apply within 12 months from the date of death.

If the main income earner is admitted to a care facility (public or private) for at least one month.

If you’re not receiving court-ordered financial support from someone legally obligated to provide for you.

If your household has been affected by a disaster as defined by South African law (the Disaster Management Act or Fund Raising Act of 1978).

When someone is facing a difficult time and struggling to provide for their family’s necessities.

The SRD grant offers a monthly payment of R370, which can be helpful. If you’re interested in applying, all you need to do is visit your nearest SASSA office.  I recommend checking out the SRD R370 Grant website. It contains all the detailed information you need to successfully apply for the grant.

2. Old age Grant

If you are 60 years of age or older and lack financial support, you can apply for a SASSA old age grant. This assistance program can provide you with the necessary financial aid to help you through this stage of life.

You must fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned below to qualify for the Older persons grant.

1. Applicant must be at least 60 years old.
2. Your spouse (if applicable) must pass the means test (income and asset check).
3. You cannot be living in a government-funded institution (e.g., old age home).
4. You cannot receive any other social grant from SASSA.
5. Please ensure that you have your 13-digit barcoded ID documents ready for both you and your spouse. In case you don’t have access to your ID card and birth certificate, you can follow the SASSA-prescribed method for identity verification.

The monthly grant amount for 60-74-year-old individuals is R2,180, and for those who are 75 years and older, it is R2,200. You can apply for the grant by simply visiting your nearest SASSA office. For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, please read the details provided for the Old Age Grant.

3. Disability Grant

The disability grant is specifically designed to support individuals who are unable to work due to mental or physical disabilities and are unable to work for a period exceeding six months. Whether the disability is temporary or permanent, they are eligible to apply for the disability grant provided by SASSA.

The eligibility criteria for disability grants are as follows:

Applicant must be between 18 and 59 years old.

Have a medical or functional assessment report confirming your disability.

Provide additional clinical information or a referral form that validates your disability.

You and your spouse (if applicable) must pass the means test.

You cannot be living in a government-funded institution (e.g., a hospital, or care facility).

Receiving any other social grant from SASSA is not allowed.

Provide your 13-digit barcoded ID documents for both you and your spouse. In case the ID card and birth certificate are not accessible, utilize the SASSA-prescribed method to authenticate your identity.

The SASSA disability grant provides a monthly payment of R2,180 till September 2024 further it increases R10 to those who meet the eligibility criteria. To avail of this grant, it is necessary to apply at the nearest SASSA office. For a more comprehensive understanding of the application process and additional details, it is recommended to review the SASSA Disability Grant documentation.

4. Child Support Grant

If you are the biological parent or primary caregiver of a child and find yourself unable to meet their basic needs, you have the option to apply for the child support grant. Your child must be under 18 years of age.

The eligibility criteria for a child support grant are below:

Both you and the child must be living in South Africa.

You will need the child’s official birth certificate.

Provide 13-digit barcoded ID documents or smart ID cards for yourself and your spouse (if applicable). If these are unavailable, SASSA accepts alternative identification methods.

You must be the child’s primary caregiver.

You and your spouse (if applicable) must meet the requirements of the Means Test (income and asset check).

You can’t apply for the Child Support Grant for more than 6 children.

The child cannot be in the care of a government-funded institution (e.g., orphanage).

Attendance and providing proof of attendance are compulsory for school-age children. Nevertheless, the absence of this certificate or failure to attend school will not lead to the denial of the child support grant.

A monthly payment of R530 with an increase of R20 is granted for each child as part of the child support program. Furthermore, an extra amount of R250 per month is provided as a top-up value for each child. Consequently, the total monthly payment per child will be R780. For more comprehensive information about the Child Support Grant, including a detailed explanation of the application process, we encourage you to consult the dedicated article.

5. Foster Child Grant

Those providing care for foster children and experiencing financial challenges may be entitled to receive assistance through the SASSA Foster Child Grant.

The Foster Child Grant has specific requirements that must be met to qualify:

1. The foster parent must provide a court order confirming they have legal custody of the child.
2.  The child must be living with and cared for by the foster parent.
3. Provide 13-digit barcoded ID documents or smart ID cards for both the applicant (foster parent) and spouse (if applicable). If IDs or birth certificates are unavailable, SASSA will use alternative identification methods.
4. A child’s birth certificate is required.

The monthly payment for the Foster child grant amounts to R180 with an increase of R50 from April 2024. For further information and details regarding the application process, please visit the SASSA Foster Child Grant article.

6. Care Dependency Grant

Caregivers of severely disabled children facing financial difficulties can apply for a Care Dependency grant. The grant is available for caregivers of children who are permanently disabled and need special care at home.

The eligibility criteria for the Care Dependency Grant are listed below:

The child must be under 18 years old.

The applicant must provide the child’s clinical information or a referral form to initiate the assessment process.

The child needs to undergo a medical or functional assessment to confirm their disability.

The applicant and spouse (if applicable) must pass the Means Test (income and asset check), except for foster parents.

The child cannot be in the permanent care of a government-funded institution (e.g., a care facility).

 You will need the child’s official birth certificate.

Both the applicant and their spouse need to submit a 13-digit barcoded identity document or smart ID card. If an ID or birth certificate is not available, SASSA accepts alternative identification as prescribed.

Children who are of school age must provide proof of attendance up to 18 years old. Not having this certificate or attending school will not result in the denial of the child support grant.

 Starting from 1 April 2024, eligible children will receive a monthly R2,180 as part of the care dependency grant. The care dependency grant will see a further increase to R2,190 per child per month starting from 1 October 2024.

If you’re looking for more information about the Care Dependency Grant and how to apply for it, I recommend reading the article titled “SASSA Care Dependency Grant”  It’s always helpful to have a clear understanding of the steps involved so that you can navigate the process smoothly.

7. War Veterans Grant

The grant is exclusively for veterans who served in either World War II or the Korean War. To be eligible, you need to be either 60 years old or disabled. Veterans who meet the criteria can apply for this grant.

The eligibility criteria for the War Veterans grant are the following:

You must be either 60 years old or older, or be classified as disabled.

You must have participated in the Second World War or the Korean War.

You and your spouse (if applicable) must pass the means test (income and asset check).

You cannot be living in a government-funded institution (e.g., old age home)

You cannot be receiving any other social grant from SASSA.

Provide your 13-digit barcoded ID documents and those of your spouse (if applicable). If IDs or birth certificates are unavailable, follow the SASSA-approved method for identity verification.

The monthly grant amount for war veterans is R2 200 per person from April and further increases to R10 from October. For more information and details on how to apply, please refer to my article on SASSA War Veteran’s Grant.

8. Grant in Aid

Grant-In-Aid is exclusively for current grant holders who need full-time care at home and cannot care for themselves. Available only to Old Age, Disability, and War Veterans grant holders as a supplementary amount to their main grant. Intended to cover the cost of hiring a caregiver to provide in-house care for the grant holders.

To apply for the grant-in-aid, it is necessary to fulfill the criteria mentioned below.

You must already be receiving one of the following grants:

1. Older Persons Grant
2. Disability Grant
3. War Veteran’s Grant

You require regular care from another person due to physical or mental disabilities.

You cannot be living in a state-funded institution for beneficiary care.

You must undergo a medical or functional assessment to confirm your disability.

Provide clinical information or a referral form documenting your disability.

If your application was previously denied due to medical reasons, submit a referral form completed by your current doctor or healthcare provider.

Congratulations! Your grant-in-aid has been approved, which means you will receive an additional monthly amount of R510 on top of your current grant. To find out more about the SASSA Grant-In-Aid, I recommend reading the article that provides detailed information about the program and explains the application process, Or contact the SASSA office.