The SASSA Grant in Aid is a grant provided by SASSA to current recipients of social grants who need full-time home care and cannot care for themselves. This grant gives them the funds they need to employ someone who can provide full-time caregiver services. Grant-in-Aid is only available to recipients of disability, war veteran, or old-age grants. It will be added to your existing grant. Grant-in-Aid can be applied for at the same time as the primary grant.
Criteria for Eligibility For The SASSA Grant In Aid
You must first meet specific eligibility requirements before applying for the Grant-in-Aid.
- The test of means must also be passed.
- If you are a recipient of the Old Age Grant or Disability Grant.
- If you are unable to take care of yourself because of a severe mental or physical impairment and require full-time home care.
- It is not allowed to be receiving treatment in an official station.
- A valid medical report must be presented to prove that you require full-time support or care. If the report is not over three months, it can come from a doctor of your choice.
What is the SASSA grant-in-aid amount?
The grant increase for 1 October 2023 states that the monthly grant is R510. This year’s Grant-in-Aid was not increased but will be the same throughout 2024.
What is the cost of a grant-in-aid?
There is no service charge for applying for SASSA grants-in-aid.
How to apply for a Grant-in-Aid
You can complete the application at your local SASSA branch office or online using the SASSA Services website. Follow the directions on How to Apply Online.
You can get the application form at SASSA and complete it before a SASSA official. The application can be submitted with the applications for disability, old-age, and war veterans’ grants.
If you’re too sick, old, or disabled to submit your application yourself, you can ask a family member, friend, or trusted relative. It would help if you gave the person applying for you a note from your doctor explaining why you cannot visit the SASSA offices.
You will be required to submit a medical report that proves you are severely disabled and require full-time home care. It can come from a privately-employed doctor or one appointed by the state, as long as it is not over three months.
You can then go to SASSA and obtain the application. The form must be completed before a SASSA official, but you can do so yourself. The officer can assist you if you need help completing the form or clarification.
You must submit the completed form and medical assessment report to the SASSA Officer. The officer (or your designated person) will interview you, fingerprint you, and inform you if you qualify for the grant.
You will be given a stamped receipt with a date from the SASSA officer who helped you complete the application. This receipt proves that you applied, even if you don’t qualify.
What Documents Are Required to Apply for Grants-in-Aid?
When applying for a Grant-In-Aid, you must bring the following original or certified documents with you:
- Original 13-digit barcode identification document (identity card).
- A valid medical report proves your disability and the need for full-time support or care at home. It can come from a doctor who is not a member of the SASSA and is no older than three months.
- You will need to provide documentation confirming that you are married.
- If you’re married, you can get a marriage certificate.
- Divorce decree: If the marriage has ended.
- If your spouse has died, you will need to obtain a Death Certificate.
- You can use an Affidavit or sworn statement if you’re single.
- Affidavit of SASSA Grant in Aid
The SASSA Grant in Aid application is rejected. What is next?
You can ask SASSA to reconsider the grant request if it was made by mistake. You can appeal SASSA’s decision if you disagree, even if the request for reconsideration is denied. You must appeal within 90 days of the date you submitted your application.
The Ministry of Social Development will review your appeal to determine a final decision. If they agree with your position, the appeal board will overturn SASSA’s original decision. You will then start to receive payments. You will receive written notification if your appeal is rejected.
Understanding the SASSA Payment Process
You will receive payments as soon as your grant has been approved. SASSA Payment Dates change every month, as there are no fixed dates.
SASSA pays you your grant through one of three options (you must choose only one).
- Direct Deposit into your Postbank or bank account. The banks may charge you a service fee.
- Your grant can be withdrawn in cash from SASSA retail partners such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer Checkers, and Usave Spar Spar.
- You can also get help from specific organizations (like nursing homes, disabled centers, or non-profits).
If you wish to receive grant payments via your bank account, you must submit the consent form for the SASSA Grant Bank Account Payment along with the documents below.
- Identification documents such as birth certificates, driving licenses, or ID cards are acceptable proof of identification.
- The account must be under your name.
- Your name and account numbers must appear on your three-month bank statement.
You can update your payment methods or banking information whenever necessary. Just fill out the application at the welfare office. The payments are received using the new method of payment the month following the completion of the verification. You can designate someone else to accept payments on your account if you cannot collect them for any reason, such as age or disability.
SASSA Grant in Aid Balance Check
You can check your remaining grant balance using the SASSA Balance Check. You can stay on top of your finances by regularly reviewing your account balance. This will help you make informed decisions about grant money and financial management. You should periodically check your account balance after your approved grant application.
- You can dial the USSD codes *120*3210# and *120*69277# from your mobile phone.
- You can withdraw cash from any ATM.
- You can send an SMS to the SASSA WhatsApp number 082 046 855
- Call the SASSA toll-free number 800 601 011
SASSA grant in aid reviews
SASSA can review your grant based on what you declare during the application. Your Grant-in-Aid is also reviewed when your primary social allowance (old-age grant, veteran’s award, disability grant, or veterans grant) has been reviewed.
These reviews ensure you are still meeting the criteria for the grant and that your situation has stayed the same. The reviews are also conducted to confirm that you’re still alive. It would help if you kept your application updated whenever you experience a change in circumstances.
SASSA will notify you in writing before three months have passed, or you must submit your proof of life (proof you’re still alive). This written notice will include details on the location and date of the review.
If you receive your grant from a bank or institution through an agent, the SASSA requires that the certificate of life be submitted annually. SASSA will conduct a review at your house if you are bedridden. You will receive a receipt confirming the completion of your compliance review. This includes your application reference number.
When the refugee status of a refugee applicant expires, it will begin to be reviewed.
Grant Suspension: Reasons for Granting it
These reasons can lead to the suspension of a grant:
- Changes in your financial or medical circumstances
- Fraud or false information is what you did.
- Your grant review was not conducted cooperatively.
- The review’s outcome.
- Your grant may have been approved in error.
Grants of Restoration
You can appeal the decision of SASSA if you believe that your grant has been suspended because of an error or you disagree with the SASSA decision. This must be done within 90 days of the suspension date.
Why Grants-in-Aid Expire
If one of these conditions is met, your grant will expire.
- If you pass away, it means you die.
- You will be asked to prove your existence if you cannot. The grant you receive will be checked annually to ensure it is still valid.
- If you have yet to receive your grant payment for three consecutive months, you may apply to restart the payments. However, if you are over 90 calendar days behind, you must apply for a brand-new grant.
- That entity fully funds the institution if you are admitted into a government-funded facility such as a prison or hospital.
- If you are away from the country without notice for more than 90 days.
- Your home care is no longer provided full-time.