SASSA Grants Eligibility Criteria

ByUmair Sajjad

Inaugurated in April 2005, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) stands as a beacon in the nation’s quest to alleviate poverty.

Dedicated to providing critical support, SASSA administers eight distinct social grants tailored to address the diverse needs of South Africa’s vulnerable populations. To streamline access to this vital information, we have meticulously compiled a comprehensive guide detailing the eligibility criteria for each SASSA social grant.

Whether you are seeking assistance through the Old Age Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, or any other, this resource serves as a centralized reference to help individuals ascertain their qualification status and navigate the path toward essential social relief.

Who Qualifies for SASSA Grants? Eligibility Criteria

Key Points of this Article:

  • A brief intro of SASSA.
  • Eligibility criteria for SASSA grants.
  • SASSA contact information.

What is the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)?

SASSA is the South African government agency responsible for administering social assistance programs.

It was established in 2005 under the South African Social Security Agency Act 2004 to distribute social grants on behalf of the Department of Social Development.

In 2022, out of the 60.6 million population, 28 million people get social grant payments. This supports close to 46% of the South African population.

SASSA provides social assistance to over 18 million South Africans, mainly in the form of child support grants, disability grants, and old age pensions. 

The agency operates a large network of local offices across all provinces to facilitate grant applications and payments.

In 2015, South Africa spent a total of R155.3 billion on social welfare programs administered by SASSA. Of that amount:

  • R53.5 billion (34%) went to old age pension grants
  • R47.8 billion (31%) went to Child Support Grants
  • R20.2 billion (13%) went to Disability Grants
  • R8.5 billion (5%) went to other smaller grant programs
  • The remaining R25.3 billion (16%) was spent on administrative costs to manage and distribute the grants by SASSA.

SASSA Grants Eligibility Criteria 2024

Let’s explore all the SASSA grant eligibility requirements in 2024.

1) SASSA SRD R350 Grant

First of all, let’s check out the SASSA Social Relief of Distress R350 grant requirement in 2024. It is a temporary income support program by SASSA that was started in 2020. The payment for this grant is R350 per month.

Let’s see who can qualify for this grant.

  • You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee registered on the Home Affairs database.
  • You must be 18 to 60 years of age.
  • You must be unemployed and not receiving any other social grant.
  • You must not be receiving an unemployment insurance benefit and do not qualify to receive such benefits. 
  • You must not be receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
  • You must not be cared for in a state institution.
  • You must not be earning any other income.
  • If you are employed, your income may not exceed R624 per month. 
  • If you are married, your combined income with your spouse may not exceed R624 per month.
  • You must not have received any other COVID-19 grant.

You must provide supporting documents if required including ID, proof of income, bank statements, etc.

2) Care Dependency Grant

It is a grant for children who are disabled. The payment of R2 090 will be delivered to the caretakers of the child every month.

  • The child must be between 1 and 18 years old.
  • The child must have a permanent, severe mental or physical disability confirmed by a medical assessment.
  • The disability must require permanent, full-time care by a caregiver at home.
  • The caregiver must meet income and means test requirements (under R223 200 per year if single). For married couples, the combined income should not be more than R446 400 per year.
  • The caregiver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee living full-time with the child.
  • The child must not be cared for in a state institution.
  • The caregiver must not be receiving another social grant for the child.
  • The child must be resident in South Africa at the time of applying.
  • The caregiver must consent to reassessments of the child’s eligibility.
  • Certain documents must be submitted like birth certificates, IDs, and proof of disability.

3) Older Persons Grant

This grant program administered by SASSA provides monthly pension grants to individuals of old age. If you are 60 years or older, you will receive a monthly grant payment of R 2,090. However, individuals aged 75 or older will receive a monthly grant of R 2,110.

  • You must be 60 years or older.
  • You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Your individual income must be below R86 280 per year if single, or below R172 560 per year if married. This includes income from any source.
  • The value of your total assets must be below R1,277,600 if single, or below R2,455,200 if married. This excludes your primary residence.
  • You must be ordinarily resident in South Africa at the time of applying.
  • If married, your spouse must meet the income and asset thresholds.
  • You should not be receiving another social grant for yourself.
  • You may need to submit a medical report confirming your ability or inability to work.

4) Disability Grant

SASSA’s disability grant program distinguishes between permanent and temporary disabilities. If your disability persists for more than 6 months, you qualify for a permanent disability grant. 

However, if your disability lasts less than a year but more than 6 months, you are eligible for a temporary disability grant. It’s important to note that the maximum monthly payment for both types of grants is R2,090.

  • Applicants must be between 18 and 59 years old. Exceptions may be made for temporary disability grants for those under 18 or over 59.
  • Applicants must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Applicants must submit a valid medical assessment report from a registered medical practitioner confirming disability. The disability must be permanent and severely limit the applicant’s ability to be employed or provide self-support.
  • Applicants must pass a means test and fall below the income threshold. For 2024, this threshold is R86 280 per year for single applicants and R172 560 per year for married applicants. Applicants cannot receive any other social grant.
  • The applicant must be a permanent resident of South Africa and reside in the country at the time of applying. 
  • Applicants should not have assets of more than R1 227 600 if they are single. For married, the limit for assets is R2 455 200.
  • Applicants should have a 13-digit, bar-coded identity document (ID).
  • The applicant should not be under the care of any state institution.
  • Married applicants must apply jointly as a couple.
  • Applicants must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution, must not be in receipt of another social grant, and must consent to reassessments.

5) War Veterans Grant

  • You need to be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • You must have served during the Korean War and World War 2.
  • Only disabled or older than 60 years can apply.
  • You must be living in South Africa.
  • You should not receive any care from the state institution.
  • You should not be receiving any other SASSA grant.
  • If you are married then your spouse should pass the means test.

6) Grant-in-Aid

  • You need to be a South African resident.
  • You have to be the beneficiary of a War Veteran’s grant, an Older Person’s grant, or a Disability Grant.
  • Not receiving any care from a state institution that receives a subsidy for housing or care of such applicants.
  • Regular assistance from another person is necessary due to your physical or mental disabilities.

7) Child Support Grant

  • The person who is the main provider of care and support must be a citizen, permanent resident, or refugee of South Africa.
  • You must be the primary caretaker of the child.
  • The age of the child should be below 18.
  • Both the applicant and child should be residents of South Africa.
  • The candidate has to pass the means test.
  • The child or children cannot be living in or receiving care from a government-run facility.
  • If the candidate is married then his/her spouse should pass the means test too.

Important note: The candidate can not apply for more than 6 non-biological children. Also, the purpose of this grant is to provide the basic needs of the child such as education. So if the candidate fails to provide the school certificate, the child support grant will be terminated for the candidate and child.

8) Foster Child Grant

  • The child must be living in the care of the foster parents and they should be the only caretaker of the child.
  • Both child and foster parent(s) should be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Both foster parent(s) and child living in South Africa.
  • The applicant must be able to present a court order that officially designates the foster care arrangement.

Contact SASSA for Further Assistance

If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact SASSA using the following contact information:

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