All Types of SASSA Grants in South Africa [2024]

As a South African, I’ve seen firsthand how the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) serves as a lifeline for millions of my fellow citizens. It’s a system that provides money to those who can’t support themselves.

I’m amazed that nearly 22 million of us rely on SASSA grants. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the different grants available, help you understand who qualifies for them, and show you how to apply in 2024.

I’ve done my research and spoken to people who benefit from these grants, so I can give you a clear picture of how SASSA works and how it might help you or someone you know.

All Types of SASSA Grants in South Africa [2024] (Quick Update)

In South Africa, SASSA offers various grants to support citizens in need. Key types include the Old Age Grant for senior citizens, the Disability Grant for individuals with disabilities, and the Child Support Grant for caregivers of children under 18. Other grants include the Foster Child Grant and the Care Dependency Grant. Each grant has specific eligibility criteria and application processes, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary assistance. For details, visit the official SASSA website.

What Are SASSA Grants?

SASSA grants are government payments to help people meet their basic needs. They’re like a safety net for those who can’t earn enough money due to things like being old, disabled, or jobless. To get a grant, you must pass a means test. This test looks at your income and what you own to make sure you really need help.

Types of SASSA Grants in 2024

SASSA offers eight main grants:

Sr #	SASSA Grant Name	How Much is SASSA Grant Amount in October 2024?
1	SRD R370 Grant	R370 (From October 2024)
2	Older Person’s Grant	R2,190 monthly (under 75 years) & R2,210 (over 75 years)
3	Disability Grant	R2,190
4	War Veterans Grant	R2,210
5	Child Support Grant	R530
6	Foster Child Grant	R1180
7	Care Dependency Grant	R2,190
8	Grant-in-Aid	R530

How Much is SASSA Grant Amount in October 2024?

Grant Type	Previous Amount (April 2024)	New Amount (October 2024)	Increase
Old-Age Grant (Ages 60-74)	R2,180	R2,190	R10
Old-Age Grant (Ages 75 and above)	R2,200	R2,210	R10
Disability Grant	R2,180	R2,190	R10
Care Dependency Grant	R2,180	R2,190	R10
War Veterans Grant	R2,200	R2,210	R10
Child Support Grant	R530	R530	No increase
Foster Care Grant	R1,180	R1,180	No increase
Social Relief of Distress (SRD)	R370	R370	No increase

You can click on any of the above grant check SASSA Status online.

Let’s look at each one in detail.

1. Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

The SRD Grant, also called the R350 Grant (Now R370 Grant), gives short-term help to people facing tough times. It’s meant to be a quick fix while you get back on your feet.

Who Can Get It:

You might qualify if you:

• Are waiting for another SASSA grant to be approved
• Lost your main income earner in the last year
• Can’t meet your basic needs

How Much:

R370 per month as of October 2024.

How Long:

Up to 12 months

How to Apply:

• At a SASSA office: Fill out a form and bring your ID
• Online: Go to the SRD website, make an account, and apply

What You Need:

• South African ID or refugee papers
• Proof of where you live
• Cell phone number

Key Facts:

• Amount went up from R350 to R370 in Apil 202
• You can get the money at a pay point or in your bank account

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R370/Month
⏳ Duration	Up to 12 months
🎯 Target	Crisis situations
📱 Apply	Online or SASSA office

2. Older Person’s Grant

This grant, also called the Old Age Pension, helps older people who don’t have enough money to live on.

Who Can Get It?

You can apply if you:

• Are 60 years or older
• Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Don’t earn too much money
• Aren’t getting other SASSA grants
• Don’t live in a government institution

How Much:

• R2,190 per month if you’re under 75
• R2,210 per month if you’re 75 or older

How Long: You can get it every year from age 60 onwards

How to Apply:

• At a SASSA office: Fill out a form and bring your documents
• Online: Use the SASSA website to apply

What You Need:

• ID document
• Proof of your (and your spouse’s) income
• Bank details
• Address and phone number

Key Facts:

• The amount is higher for people over 75
• You need to renew it every year

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R2,190 (<75) / R2,210 (75+)
🎂 Age	60+
🔄 Renewal	Annual
📊 Means Test	Required

3. Disability Grant

This grant helps people with physical or mental disabilities that stop them from working.

Who Can Get It?

You might qualify if you:

• Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Are between 18 and 59 years old
• Have a disability confirmed by a doctor
• Don’t earn too much money
• Don’t live in a government institution

How Much?

R2,190 per month

How Long?

You can get it every year from age 18 to 59

How to Apply?

• At a SASSA office: Bring your medical proof and fill out a form
• Online: Apply through the SASSA website

What You Need:

• ID document
• Doctor’s certificate about your disability
• Medical reports
• Proof of where you live
• Bank details and phone number

Key Facts:

• You need to prove your disability with medical documents
• The grant helps with medical costs and daily care

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R2,190/month
🎂 Age	18-59
🏥 Medical Proof	Required
🔄 Review	Annual

4. War Veterans Grant

What It Is: This grant supports former soldiers who fought in World War II or the Korean War and now need financial help.

Who Can Get It?

You can apply if you:

• Fought in World War II or the Korean War
• Are 60 years or older (or disabled)
• Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Don’t earn too much money
• Aren’t getting other social grants
• Don’t live in a government institution

How Much?

R2,210 per month

How Long?

You can get it every year from age 60 onwards

How to Apply?

• At a SASSA office: Bring proof of your war service and fill out a form
• Online: Use the SASSA website to apply

What You Need?

• ID document
• Proof that you fought in the war
• Bank details, address, and phone number

Key Facts:

• This grant is specifically for older war veterans
• You need to prove you served in one of the specified wars

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R2,210/month
🎖️ Eligibility	WWII or Korean War vets
🎂 Age	60+ or disabled
🔄 Renewal	Annual

5. Child Support Grant

This grant helps caregivers who can’t afford to meet their children’s basic needs.

Who Can Get It?

You might qualify if you:

• Are the main caregiver of a child under 18
• Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Don’t earn too much money (less than R5,000 for single parents or R10,000 combined income)
• The child lives in South Africa

How Much?

R530 per month for each child as of 2024.

How Long?

Until the child turns 18

How to Apply?

• At a SASSA office: Bring the child’s birth certificate and fill out a form
• Online: Apply through the SASSA website

What You Need:

• ID documents for you and the child
• Child’s birth certificate
• Proof of your income
• Proof of where you live
• Bank details

Key Facts:

• This grant helps with food, clothes, and school expenses
• You can get it for more than one child if you qualify

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R530/child/month
👶 Child Age	Under 18
💼 Income Limit	R5,000 (single) / R10,000 (combined)
🏠 Residency	Child must live in SA

6. Foster Child Grant

This grant supports people who are looking after foster children placed in their care by a court.

Who Can Get It?

You can apply if you:

• Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Are the legal guardian of a foster child (with a court order)
• The child is under 18 (or up to 21 if still in school)
• The foster child lives in South Africa

How Much?

R1,180 per month for each foster child

How Long?

Until the child turns 18 (or 21 if still in school)

How to Apply?

• At a SASSA office: Bring the court order and fill out a form
• Online: Use the SASSA website to apply

What You Need?

• ID documents for you and the foster child
• Foster care court order
• Proof of where you live
• Bank details

Key Facts:

• This grant helps cover the costs of raising a foster child
• You need a court order to prove you’re the legal foster parent

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R1,180/child/month
📜 Requirement	Court order
🎂 Duration	Until 18 (or 21 if studying)
🏠 Residency	Child must live in SA

7. Care Dependency Grant

This grant helps caregivers of children with severe disabilities who need constant care.

Who Can Get It?

You might qualify if you:

• Are caring for a child under 18 with a severe disability
• Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Don’t earn too much money
• The disability is certified by a doctor

How Much?

R2,190 per month

How Long?

You can renew it every year until the child turns 18

How to Apply:

• At a SASSA office: Bring medical reports and fill out a form
• Online: Apply through the SASSA website

What You Need:

• ID documents for you and the child
• Medical reports about the child’s disability
• Proof of your income and where you live
• Bank details

Key Facts:

• This grant helps with medical expenses and daily care
• You need a doctor to confirm the child’s severe disability

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R2,190/month
👶 Child Age	Under 18
🏥 Requirement	Severe disability needing full-time care
📊 Means Test	Required

8. Grant-in-Aid

What It Is: This is an extra payment for people who already get certain SASSA grants and need someone to help care for them at home.

Who Can Get It?

You might qualify if you:

• Already get an Older Person’s Grant, Disability Grant, or War Veterans Grant
• Can’t take care of yourself without help
• Don’t live in a government institution

How Much?

An extra R530 per month on top of your other grant

How Long?

You can renew it every year based on your care needs

How to Apply:

• At a SASSA office: Bring new medical reports and fill out a form
• Online: Use the SASSA website to apply

What You Need:

• Updated medical assessments showing you need care
• Proof that you’re getting another SASSA grant
• Bank details and contact information

Key Facts:

• This is a top-up grant to help pay for a caregiver or equipment
• You need to prove you can’t care for yourself independently

Feature	Details
💰 Amount	R530/month (additional)
🎯 For	Existing grant recipients
🤲 Need	Full-time personal care
🔄 Review	Annual

How to Apply for SASSA Grants in 2024?

You can apply for grants in two main ways:

1. In Person at a SASSA Office

This is good if you need help filling out forms or have questions.

Steps:

1. Find your nearest SASSA office
2. Gather all your documents
3. Go to the office during work hours
4. Ask for the right application form
5. Fill out the form (ask for help if you need it)
6. Hand in the form and your documents
7. Get a receipt and application number

2. Online Application

This is faster if you have internet access and are comfortable with online forms.

Steps:

1. Go to the SASSA website at https://services.sassa.gov.za/
2. Make an account or log in
3. Choose which grant you want to apply for
4. Fill out the online form
5. Upload pictures or scans of your documents
6. Check everything is correct
7. Submit your application
8. Save your application number

SASSA tries to process applications within 90 days, but some might take longer. You can check your application status using the number they give you.

What Happens After You Apply?

There are three possible outcomes:

1. Approved: You met all the requirements and will start getting monthly payments. Follow the instructions to set up your payment method.
2. Rejected: You didn’t meet the key requirements. You can appeal the decision or apply again with the right information.
3. Pending: SASSA needs more documents or information to finish checking your application.

How do I Appeal a Rejected Application?

If your application is rejected, you can appeal:

1. Ask SASSA to look at your application again
2. File a formal appeal to have the decision reviewed
3. Go to your local SASSA office for help with appealing
4. Provide any extra evidence that might help your case

Understanding the Means Test

The means test is an important part of checking if you can get a grant. It makes sure that the money goes to people who really need it.

The means test looks at:

• Your income and your spouse’s income
• Income of other people in your house who help with money
• Things you own like property and cars

The test helps SASSA make sure grants go to the people who need them most.

SASSA Payment Methods

You can get your grant money in different ways:

1. Direct Bank Deposit: The money goes straight into your bank account. This is safe and easy.
2. SASSA Payment Card: A special card from SASSA that you can use at ATMs, shops, and pay points.
3. Cash Payments: Get cash at special pay points. This is less safe and takes more time, but anyone can use it.

Key Facts and Updates for 2024

• SASSA grants have gone up to keep up with rising prices
• The SRD Grant is now R370 per month
• Old Age Pension is R2,190 for people under 75 and R2,210 for those over 75
• Disability and Care Dependency grants are both R2,190 per month
• Child Support Grant is R530 per month for each child
• Foster Child Grant is now R1,180 per month for each child
• War Veterans Grant is R2,210 per month
• Grant-in-Aid top-up is now R530 per month

Conclusion

As I wrap up this guide, I can’t stress enough how SASSA grants are a lifeline for many of us South Africans who are facing tough times. I’ve seen firsthand how these grants help people in my community live with dignity, putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads.

I’ve done my best to break down the different types of grants, explain who can get them, and walk you through the application process for 2024. Whether you’re thinking about applying for the first time or you’re due for a renewal, I hope this information makes the SASSA system clearer for you.

Remember, things can change, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with any new rules or changes to SASSA grants in 2024. This way, you’ll be sure to get all the help you’re entitled to. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for help at your local SASSA office. We’re all in this together, and understanding these grants can make a real difference in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.