EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL GRANTS

According to the Department of Social Development, almost a third of people living in South Africa depend on a social grant from the government. So who is entitled to what, and how does it work?

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At the start of 2021, nearly 19 million people out of South Africa’s population of 60 million were dependent on social grants. This is money the government gives to those who struggle financially to make ends meet. For millions of people, a social grant is their only source of income due to high levels of unemployment in the country.

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is the government organisation that manages the payment of social grants. Grants are available to any citizen, permanent resident or refugee. Beneficiaries must prove that they live in South Africa. Sassa checks each applicant’s income and assets to make sure they meet certain criteria, as social grants are meant to help people who are unable to support themselves.



To qualify for grants applicants must earn no more than a certain amount, which varies depending on the grant. These are the categories of social grants that Sassa pays out:

• Care Dependency Grant
  This grant is 1890,00 per month and is paid to full-time caregivers of a child or children with disabilities. A medical officer must confirm that the child or children are permanently disabled as part of the application for this grant.
  
  
• Child Support Grant
  This grant is 460,00 a month per child and is paid to a primary caregiver. Biological parents or primary caregivers such as grandparents are eligible to apply for this grant.
  
  
• Disability Grant
  Paying 1890,00 a month, this grant is available on a permanent or temporary basis for between six and 12 months. If you receive any other social grant, you may not apply for this grant. If a disability persists, you need to reapply for this grant. When applying for a disability grant, you must submit a medical report confirming the disability. This assessment or report should not be older than three months when applying for the grant.
  
  
• Foster Child Grant
  This grant is 1050,00 per child monthly and is paid to a person who has obtained a court order indicating their foster-care status.
  
  
• Grant-in-Aid
  The Grant-in-Aid is 460,00 a month, paid to people who already receive a disability, older persons or war veterans grant. This additional help is for people diagnosed with mental or physical disabilities who therefore need someone to care for them. If you are cared for in an institution that receives a subsidy from the government for your care, you are not eligible for this grant.
  
  
• Older Persons Grant
  Also known as the old age pension, this grant is 1890,00 (and 1910,00 for those over 75 years old), a month, paid to qualifying applicants who are older than 60. If you live in a state institution such as a care facility, or if you already receive another grant, you are not eligible for this grant.
  
  
• Social Relief of Distress Grant
  This is a temporary grant paid to people in desperate need of financial assistance. The amount varies and is determined by the needs of the individual. An example of this grant is the Covid-19 Grant (see below). ‘You may also qualify if you’ve been affected by a disaster, but the area or community you live in has not been declared a disaster area,’ states Sassa on its website.
  
  
• War Veterans Grant
  The War Veterans Grant is 1910,00 a month, paid to people who fought in World War II or the Korean War. To qualify for this grant, you must be over the age of 60 or disabled. You don’t qualify for it if you receive any other grant, or are cared for in a state institution.

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HOW AND WHEN IS PAYMENT MADE?
Social grants are usually paid early in the month and can be transferred directly into a beneficiary’s bank account or collected at a Sassa office or a post office. It is important to watch out for criminals or any suspicious behaviour around these cash collection points.

COVID-19 GRANT
When SA went into lockdown, millions of poor people were plunged into more severe poverty. A temporary Social Relief of Distress Grant was introduced, that paid 350,00 a month for a few months. This grant was first offered in 2020 and again in 2021. It will be available until March 2022. It is now also aimed at helping unemployed people and anyone affected by the violent looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

This grant is available to South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees registered with the Home Affairs department. Only people who are 18 and older, and who are unemployed can apply for this grant. Applications can only be made electronically, and Sassa staff can assist locals who need help registering online. Payments are made directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts or at post offices.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SOCIAL RELIEF OF DISTRESS GRANT:

• Send a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and select SASSA
• Send a text message to *134*7737#
• Email to SRD@sassa.gov.za
• Call centre: 0800 60 10 11
• Visit the website: srd.sassa.gov.za

CONTACT SASSA
For more information on Sassa grants: sassa.gov.za
0800 60 10 11 (call centre available working hours only)
GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za

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