types of grants offered by sassa

What other grants does SASSA offer?

ByBongani Moyo

SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) offers several types of grants offered by SASSA aimed at providing financial assistance to vulnerable groups in society. In addition to the well-known Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, types of grants offered by SASSA include the following:

Child Support Grant

Child Support Grant

Purpose: To offer financial support to primary caregivers of children under 18 years.

Eligibility:

  • The applicant must be the primary caregiver of the child.
  • The child must be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
  • The caregiver and child must pass a means test (income below a certain threshold).

Payment Amount: Monthly payment (varies yearly).

Old Age Grant (Pension)

Old Age Grant (Pension)

Purpose: To provide financial assistance to elderly individuals aged 60 years or older.

Eligibility:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Must be 60 years or older.
  • Must pass the means test.

Payment Amount: Monthly pension payment. The grant amount may increase slightly if the applicant is 75 years or older.

Disability Grant

Disability Grant

Purpose: To assist individuals who are temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to support themselves financially.

Eligibility:

  • Must be between 18 and 59 years old.
  • Must submit a medical report confirming the disability.
  • Must pass the means test.

Payment Amount: Monthly payment.

Duration:

  • Temporary disability grants are provided for 6 to 12 months and can be reviewed.
  • Permanent disability grants are for individuals with long-term disabilities.

Foster Child Grant

Foster Child Grant

Purpose: To provide financial assistance to caregivers of children placed in foster care by a court order.

Eligibility:

  • The child must be under 18 years old.
  • The caregiver must have a valid foster care court order.

Payment Amount: Monthly payment for each foster child.

Care Dependency Grant

Care Dependency Grant

Purpose: To support caregivers of children with disabilities who need permanent care.

Eligibility:

  • The child must be younger than 18 years.
  • The child must require full-time care due to a severe disability.
  • Must pass a means test.
  • The child must undergo a medical assessment.

Payment Amount: Monthly payment.

Grant-in-Aid

Grant-in-Aid

Purpose: To offer additional financial assistance to people receiving an Old Age Grant, Disability Grant, or War Veteran’s Grant who need full-time care from another person.

Eligibility:

  • The recipient must already be receiving one of the aforementioned grants.
  • Must prove that they need permanent care due to their condition.

Payment Amount: Monthly payment added to the existing grant.

War Veterans Grant

War Veterans Grant

Purpose: To support South African citizens who fought in the Second World War (1939–1945) or the Korean War (1950–1953).

Eligibility:

  • Must be 60 years or older, or unable to support themselves due to a disability.
  • Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
  • Must pass a means test.

Payment Amount: Monthly pension payment.

Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

Purpose: Temporary relief for individuals in dire financial need who cannot meet their basic needs.

Eligibility:

  • Available to South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees who have insufficient means.
  • Often used in emergency situations, like during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Individuals must not be receiving any other form of government assistance.
    Payment Amount: Temporary, with the SRD R350 grant being a prominent example.

Frequently Asked Questions

SASSA offers various grants such as the Child Support Grant, Old Age Grant, Disability Grant, Foster Child Grant, and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant.

You can apply for a SASSA grant by visiting your nearest SASSA office or applying online, depending on the type of grant you’re seeking.

To qualify for the Child Support Grant, the applicant must be the primary caregiver of a child under 18 years and meet the means test criteria.

The Old Age Grant provides financial support to South African citizens or permanent residents aged 60 and above, subject to passing a means test.

The SRD grant is typically R350 per month, provided as temporary relief for individuals facing financial hardship and who meet the eligibility requirements.

Conclusion 

The types of grants offered by SASSA are designed to provide essential financial support to individuals and families in need. From children and the elderly to those living with disabilities, each grant has specific eligibility criteria and an application process, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society receive the assistance they require.

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