A wide range of factors determines the qualification criteria for SASSA grants. These factors include age, financial status, residency, and caregiving responsibilities. The criteria for the disability grant can be different from the old age grant.
The older person must be 60 years or above to receive the monthly pension and pass the mean test. The disability grant requires documented evidence such as a medical report by a doctor to prove permanent disability.
The child support and care dependency grants are for the children under 18 years. All these requirements will help find the needy people who deserve the aid. The social benefits of SASSA are to support the living expenses and medical needs of the citizens.
If you want to apply for any type of grant then understanding the qualification criteria is very much necessary. This post has updated information regarding all the different types of aids by SASSA with the list of required documents.
SASSA Grants Overview 2024
The SASSA grants are a lifeline for many poor people in South Africa. It is a kind of support for those who do not have any type of alternative or primary income sources. Some of the major categories of these benefits are child care and old person grants.
The eligibility criteria for all the grants are different and you have to comply with the policy of the government. In case you do not fulfill this criteria then the SASSA can reject the application at the spot.
So whenever you make up your mind to apply for any type of aid then make sure that you have read all the terms and conditions. The eligibility criteria are mentioned on the official website of SASSA as well.
SASSA Grants Criteria
The SASSA makes sure that the benefits are delivered to the deserving people. The applicants should pass out mean tests and other criteria. In such a case it becomes very essential to understand the eligibility criteria of different grants.
Older Age Grant
This grant is for people who are old and above 60 years. Vulnerable individuals can get an old age pension from the government if they meet the following criteria.
The person should be 60 years older or above.
You should not be receiving any type of other benefits from the government institutes.
You should be living in South Africa as a permanent resident. If you are a refugee then there are some additional requirements.
The spouses or single persons should pass the mean test as well.
Disability Grant
People who have any type of disability such as mental or physical can apply for this benefit. There are different cases that will determine the actual payouts and time period of the grant.
The SASSA gives 6 months or 12 months of grants in different scenarios
The age of the recipient must be between 18 to 59 years.
The citizenship of South Africa is necessary.
Medical evaluation is necessary and you should provide solid evidence such as a medical report of disability. The report should be no more than 3 months old.
The candidates do not receive any types of other grants from government institutes.
You will prove the permanent or temporary disability as well.
Child Support Grant
This grant covers the basic needs of the children such as nutritional or medical. This makes sure that the child is studying properly and paying the fees on time as well.
The children and the caregiver should be living in South Africa.
The age of the child is under 18 years. There are different documents that are also required for the child under 10 years.
The child is not living in any kind of government or social institute on a permanent basis.
Care Dependency Grant
This grant is for the child who is facing issues with their mental or physical health. The primary caregivers or parents can apply for their child.
The refugees and citizens will provide evidence of the address such as ID cards or passports.
This grant is for children who are facing some sort of disability and are under 18 years old.
The mean test requirement is essential for the parents or caregiver.
The disabled child should not be admitted to any type of government institute for permanent care.
Foster Child Grant
The foster parents are responsible for taking care of the child’s education, health, and food. This grant supports them financially to provide proper assistance and care to the child.
The foster parents who will be taking care of the child should be the permanent resident of South Africa.
A special court order is required to confirm the guardianship of the child for a foster parent.
The applicant should be the primary caretaker of the foster child.
Grant In Aid
This is a type of additional aid that is offered by SASSA for the old age or disabled person. The War Veterans can also receive this benefit.
To qualify for this aid you must be receiving the existing benefits by SASSA such as old age pension etc.
Disabled persons who need proper care from any other individual are also eligible.
War Veterans Grant
War Veterans are the people who served in World War II or the Korean War. This grant is specially offered to give a tribute to the soldiers of the wars.
The refugee or resident of South Africa can receive this grant for sure.
The age of the applicant should be above 60 or there is any type of disability he is facing.
If you are receiving any other grants from the SASSA then you can not apply.
No support or going on aid from the other government institutions.
SRR (Social Relief of Distress) Grant
The SRD grant is a short-term benefit for individuals who are facing troubles in jobs or employment. If you are unemployed then this grant is suitable but for a shorter period of time.
The applicant should have a South African VISA or identification card to apply for the benefits.
The age limit for this aid is between 18 to 60 years. If you are above 60 then go for an old age grant.
The monthly income from any other source should not exceed R624.
Individuals should not be receiving any type of stipend funds from the NSFAS or UIF.
The government employees can not apply for this benefit.
The family passed away or you are not getting any support from the family.
In case of a natural disaster or any other financial mishap, the people can apply for this grant.
SASSA Grants Mean Test
Until now it is clear that the applicants should be living in South Africa with residence proof. This section will discuss the income based requirements for the citizens.
Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, and War Veterans Grants
The income limit for the individual is R92,520 per year. It is almost R7,710 per month.
For married couples the income threshold is R185,040. The monthly income is almost R15,420. This income is determined by combining the salaries of spouses together.
Child Support Grant
The income limit for married couples is R115,200 or R9,600 per month. For single individuals, the income threshold is R57,600 which is approximately R4,800 per month.
Care Dependency Grant
The income threshold for the married person is R477,600 or R39,800 per month. For single individuals, the income level is R238,800 annually or R19,900 per month.
SRD Grant
The SRD mean test is to not earn more than R624 from any source on a monthly basis.
Note
The foster parents are exempted from the mean test and they do not need to submit any official records recording the income. All these income levels discussed above are maximum limits for a single or married person.
Increments In SASSA Grants For October
During the month of April, the packages for the social grants have increased significantly. A second installment is coming in the month of October for the year 2024. A list of all the expected changes is displayed in the following table.
Grant Payout Amounts for 2024
| Grant Details | Age | Grant Payout In April | Grant Payout In October |
| Older Persons Grant | 60-74 | R2,180 | R2190 |
| 75 and older | R2,200 | R2,210 | |
| Disability Grant | 18 to 59 | R2,180 | R2,190 |
| War Veterans Grant | 60 years and over | R2,200 | R2,210 |
| Care Dependency Grant | Disabled children Under 18 Years | R2,180 | R2,190 |
| Foster Child Grant | Under 18 Years | R1,180 | – |
| Child Support Grant | Under the age of 18 years | R530 | – |
| Social Relief of Distress (SRD) | – | R370 | – |
Points To Note
The payments are disbursed usually at the start of every month. The dates are determined as per the working days of the SASSA. An additional increment of R10 is expected in the month of October on various grants.
Documents Required
Similar to the eligibility criteria it is essential to mention all the different documents that are required to qualify for the SASSA grants.
Child Support Grant
The major documents required by the applicant for this grant include the South African identity card and proof of income such as bank statements or payslips.
Recipients will submit proof of residence that can include the affidavit or utility bill.
Child documents will include the birth certificate or the attendance certificate from school.
If you are not the biological parents then proof of guardianship and a court order is necessary.
Older Age Grant
The pension receipts, payslips, or bank statements for the proof of your income are required with the identity card.
The utility bills will verify the residence.
Individuals will submit the marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or death certificate in different cases for marital status confirmation.
The bank statement should not be older than 3 months.
Disability Grant
This grant requires proof of marital status, bank statements, and proof of residency.
The special requirement for this benefit is a medical report signed by a professional practitioner or a doctor.
Care Dependency Grant
The birth certificate of the child and a medical report that confirms the disability.
Proof of the address and marital status of the caregiver is also necessary.
A court order is essential in case you are a foster parent.
War Veterans Grant
Proof of service in the Korean or World War is necessary
Bank statements, payslips, or any other income proof are necessary.
Additional Information
The South African Financial Institution (SASSA) plays a vital role in supporting the deserving people of South Africa. At times of hardship there is no other hope but to apply for grants or social benefits. This section will help you understand more about this department.
Wide Range of Grants
To address the financial needs of the poor citizens of South Africa the SASSA has set a criteria to qualify for the grants. In exceptional cases such as instant loss of job and no money at hand, you can apply for the SRD grant. It can provide temporary relief in an unforeseen crisis.
Payment Dates Of Grants
To plan the financial activities the individuals should know about the payment dates of the grants. These dates are scheduled on a monthly basis. If there is a holiday or festival at the date of disbursement then you can confirm the status from the SASSA on a phone call.
Appeal Process
The institute has made a special department that takes care of the new applications and conducts extensive reviews. If the applications are rejected then you have a chance to resubmit an application or make an appeal to the decision.
Improvements And Developments
The SASSA is trying to improve the online system of applying for grants and is also committed to providing better services. You should better stay informed about the upcoming changes and keep visiting the official website of SASSA.
Community Engagement
SASSA is raising awareness in the audience by running different services and programs. These programs engage the audience in South Africa and inform the eligible candidates to apply for the grant. It is now easier to access the SASSA with this engagement plan.
Formal Application Process To Apply For Any SASSA Grant
When you qualify for the eligibility criteria for any type of grant then you can apply to the SASSA. There are different methods to apply but we will today discuss a more formal method for the convenience of all the readers.
The applicants will visit the SASSA office in person and contact the help desk. You can receive an application that is relevant to your grant.
If you are aware of the documents that we have mentioned in the post then bring them with you for a smooth process. The audience can ask the staff member for any type of update on document requirements.
The individual will usually add medical reports, court orders, proof of residence, or an Identity Card.
The form should be relevant and you can fill it with the ink pen etc. All the information that you enter on the form should be comparable to the data present on the documents.
After submitting the form along with the necessary documents the SASSA will give you a receipt that includes your SASSA ID.
You can keep track of the records and updates from the department using this ID number. The office may take more than a month but not more than 90 days to review the application.
When the application is approved, then you can contact the office again and start receiving the funds.
On the application form the individuals will also enter the banking details that will help them receive the payouts without any delays.
Conclusion
The SASSA updates the eligibility criteria for various grant payments with the passage of time. The individuals should be citizens of South Africa and must have an identity card.
The refugees can also apply but with some additional certificates and documents. For child care, you need a court order to prove yourself as a caregiver if you are not the original parent.
The Foster parents are not required to qualify for the mean test. Individuals can apply for a single grant at the same time. However, there are some increments and additional perks that you can receive from the SASSA if you are a beneficiary.
