Social Security Grants

Does the South African government provide social security for citizens in the form of grants?

Yes. Social assistance is provided in the form of social grants from government.

Who administers and pays these grants?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). 

What kind of grants are there?

• Older persons grant
• Disability grant
• War veterans grant
• Care dependency grant
• Foster child grant
• Child support grant
• Grant-in-aid
• Social Relief of Distress.

What are the criteria for social grants?

Grant for Older Persons

The applicant:

• Must be a South African citizen /permanent resident
• Must be resident in South Africa
• Must be 60 years and spouse must comply with the means test
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant for her/himself
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document 

See State Pension for more details on assistance for older persons.

War Veteran's Grant

The applicant:

• Must be a South African citizen /permanent resident
• Must be resident in South Africa
• Must be 60 years and over or must be disabled
• Must have fought in the Second WorldWar or the Korean War and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of her/himself 

Disability Grant

The applicant:

• Must be a South African citizen /permanent resident
• Must be resident in South Africa
• Must be 18 to 59 years of age
• Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming disability
• Medical assessment must not be older than three months at date of application
• Must meet the requirements of the means test
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of her/himself

Child Grants 

Foster Child Grant

• The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa
• There must be a court order indicating foster care status
• The foster parent must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee
• The child must remain in the care of the foster parent (s)

Child Support Grant

• The primary care giver must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa
• The applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/children concerned
• The child/children must have been born after 31 December 1993
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test
• An applicant cannot apply for more than six non biological children
• The Child can not be cared for in a State Institution

Find out more about Child Support Grants in South Africa.

Care Dependency Grant

• The primary care giver must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa
• The child must be under the age of 18 years
• The applicant must submit a medical/assessment report confirming permanent, severe disability
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test (except for foster parents)
• The care-dependant child/children must not be permanently cared for in a State Institution

Grant-in-aid

• The applicant must be in receipt of a grant for Older Persons, Disability grant or aWar Veterans’s grant, and require full time attendandance by another person owing to his/her physical or mental disabilities
• The applicant must not be cared for in an institution that receives subsidy by the State for the care/housing of such beneficiary

Must all applicants supply proof of identity?

Yes – but there are various ways. Applicants who do not have a 13 digit bar coded identity book, or birth certificate for children involved in the application, can still apply for a grant. Applicants should obtain information from their nearest SASSA office on the alternative documents which are accepted for grant application.

Where does one apply for a grant?

At the SASSA office nearest to where you live (see regional offices listed below). If you are too old or sick to travel to the office, then a family member or friend can apply on your behalf.

Your application form will be completed in the presence of a SASSA officer.

When your application is completed you will be given a receipt. This must not be lost – it is your only proof of application!

Do I pay to apply?

No. 

When do I get paid my grant?

If your grant is approved, you will be paid from the date on which you applied.

What if my application is unsuccessful?

You must be informed in writing of the reasons for the refusal of the grant application. You have a right to request the decision to be reconsidered, and a right to appeal within 90 days of notification.

How do I get paid?

You can receive your grant through one of the following methods:

• Cash payments at designated paypoints
• Banks including Postbank
• Institutions

If you are unable to collect the grant yourself you may nominate a procurator to collect it on your behalf.

Can my grant be suspended?

Yes - the following may result in the suspension of a grant:

• Changes in circumstances (financial and/or medical)
• Outcome of a review
• Failure to co-operate when a grant is reviewed
• Committing a fraudulent activity or misrepresentation
• Where a grant was approved in error

Means test figures and grant amounts:

SASSA Offices contact details:

SASSA HEAD OFFICE

SASSA HOUSE

501 Prondisa Building

Cnr Beatrix and Pretorius Street

Pretoria

Private Bag X55662

Arcardia

Pretoria

0083

Tel: 012 400 2000 (Switchboard)

Website: www.sassa.gov.za

EASTERN CAPE  REGION

1st Floor

Waverly Office Park

3-33 Phillip Frame Road

Private Bag X9001

Chiselhurst

East London

5200

Tel: 043 707 6300

Fax: 043 707 6487

FREE STATE REGION

African Life Building

75 St. Andrews Street

Bloemfontein

Private Bag X20553

Bloemfontein

9300

Tel: 051 410 8304/5

Fax: 051 409 0862

GAUTENG REGION

28 Harrison Street

Johannesburg

2000

Private Bag X120

Marshalltown

2107

Tel: 011 241 8300

Fax: 011 241 8305

KWAZULU NATAL REGION

1 Bank Street

Pietermaritzburg

3201

Private Bag X 9146

Pietermaritzburg

3201

Tel: 033 846 3300

Fax: 033 846 9595

LIMPOPO

43 Landros Mare

Polokwane

0699

Private Bag X9677

Polokwane

0700

Tel: 015 291 7400

Fax: 015 291 7996

MPUMALANGA

18 Ferreira Street

Nelspruit

Private Bag x11230

Nelspruit

1200

Tel: 013 754 9380

Fax: 013 754 9501

NORTH WEST

Master Centre Industrial

Mafikeng

2735

Private Bag X44

Mmabatho

Tel: 018 388 0060

Fax: 086 611 9740

NORTHERN CAPE

95-97 Du Toit Span Road

Kimberly

8300

Private Bag X6011

KIMBERLY

8300

Tel: 053 802 4900

Fax: 053 832 5225

WESTERN CAPE

Golden Acre

Adderley Street

Cape Town

8001

Private Bag 9189

Cape Town

8000

Tel: 021 469 0200

Fax: 021 469 0260

Read more

Find out about Minimum Wages in South Africa.