What are SASSA Grants?
Social Grants are administered in South Africa by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) on behalf of the Department of Social Development as a form of monetary aid to qualifying South African citizens and South African legal permanent residents, as well as South African refugee permit holders. Social Grants primarily serve the most vulnerable in South Africa, i.e., the aged, the children, the disabled, the unemployed, and the impoverished, and as such, are aimed at alleviating the plight and poverty of the deserving and at addressing at least one of the necessities of life, i.e., Food, Health care, Education Poverty. By December 2025, South Africa’s population that these Social Grants reach is 28 million, with a total Budget applicable to these Grants of R 284.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. Grants are paid every month, with the qualifying criteria for the Grants to be based on the income and assets of the deceased.
Types of SASSA Grants
Here’s an overview of the main grants, including eligibility basics and amounts (as of late 2024; increases are announced annually, with 2025 updates pending):
| Grant Type | Eligibility Summary | Monthly Amount (R) | Target Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | South African citizens/permanent residents/refugees aged 60–74 (higher for 75+); income/assets below threshold. | 2,185 (60–74) 2,210 (75+) | Elderly |
| Disability Grant | Aged 18–59; medically assessed as disabled and unable to work; means-tested. | 2,185 | Disabled adults |
| Child Support Grant | Caregivers of children under 18; child must live in SA; means-tested; max 6 non-biological children. | 510 (0–6 years) 1,030 (7–18 years) | Children |
| Foster Child Grant | Approved foster parents caring for a child via court order. | 1,130 | Foster children |
| Care Dependency Grant | Parents/guardians of children with severe disabilities needing full-time care; means-tested. | 2,185 | Disabled children |
| Grant-in-Aid | Recipients of disability/older persons/war veterans grants needing full-time care; not in a subsidized institution. | 560 | Care-dependent adults |
| War Veterans Grant | Veterans of WWII/Korean War, aged 60+ or disabled; means-tested. | 2,185 (60–74) 2,210 (75+) | Veterans |
| Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant | Unemployed 18–59 with no income/support; banked income <R624/month; not receiving other grants. | 370 (as of 2024; may increase in 2025) | Unemployed/distressed |
Amounts are subject to annual adjustments (e.g., a 2025 grant increase page is available on the SASSA site). For non-South Africans, eligibility requires refugee status or permanent residency.
How to Apply for a SASSA Grant Filling out applications does not require a fee and can be done paperless or on paper (SRD only). It takes up to three months to process applications. Expected a long wait when checking vault status. If you need vault status, search SASSA Services Portal (services.sassa.gov.za) or call 0800 60 10 11 for confirmation.
When applying for SASSA Grants, you need several things:
– Bar-coded IDs or smart cards (applicants and spouse).
– Proof of income/assets (payslips, bank statements under three months old).
– Medical assessment for disability/care grants.
– Child’s unabridged birth certificate and clinic card, then for grants.
– Proof of place of residence (affidavit if need be).
– Submit by:
– In Person: Visit a SASSA office (to locate, go to sassa.gov.za). An officer assists in filling out a form, or
– Online: For SRD only, at srd.sassa.gov.za (need ID to set up mobile OTP).
New patrons need to finish a system-enforced system for biometric enrollment (fingerprinting and face system) to stop fraud.
To Track status: go to the portal srd.sassa.gov.za, system to SMS “SASSA” and your ID number to 082 046 8553 then or via WhatsApp 082 046 8553.
If you are accepted: If you are declined, SASSA Grant assistance can only be requested within 90 days (from the SASSA office or digitally).
If your status does change and there are grants that are suspended or your income, marital status, or other things change, there has been a change in circumstances. If there are set standards within the guidelines for existing beneficiaries, then no new applications need to be made.
Date and Payment Methods
Options include: Electronic funds transfer (deposit), SASSA card, post office, or retail payment points. Portals take one to three months to process, so update your payment method early.
In the December 2025 Pay Schedule, Child Support and Disability payments will be split into early payments to be paid out December 1-15. Old age payments will be dispersed closer to December 25. SASSA publishes calendars one month in advance.
Boost: December double payments confirmed. Added funds will likely be in the range of R100 – R500, depending on the combined grants in the household.
Updates (2025 December)
- Increases: All established increases will remain in effect, with the addition of a small R10 transfer uplift on established payment dates. December will have a confirmed uplift as well. Unemployed assistance will be aided by the R400 Social Relief of Distress payment.
- Biometrics: There have been new rules to restrict fraud. There have been new rules to restrict fraud. All new applications are to have Biometric data. This rule has also been applied to re-applications.
- Warnings: It is sad to see that even with public warnings, there are still no cautionary warnings. People need to be especially wary of scams, as SASSA will NEVER require you to pay a fee, provide a payment PIN, or request payment in any way. All verifications should be on official web pages. On December 10, low-income households (with criteria found on the SASSA portal) will be able to access the new R500 Electricity Relief Grant.
There is likely a challenge for delays due to system backlogs. Please ensure your information is up to date.
To get your personalized assistance or for status checks, you can go to sassa.gov.za, the Services Portal, or call 0800 60 10 11 (which is toll-free). Please inform yourself from official sassa.gov.za pages, where you can get the documents and services to protect yourself from misinformation.
