Grant-in-Aid SASSA: Eligibility & Application Process

What is Grant in Aid? The SASSA Grant-in-Aid is vital financial support for individuals who are already receiving a social grant but require additional assistance due to their need for full-time care. The aid gives them the financial assistance they need to employ someone for caregiving services. It is only available to the beneficiaries of disability, war veterans, or old-age grants.

For people who are vulnerable to poverty and need state support, this financial aid is provided for them by SASSA. The amount of this grant will be added to their existing aid. In this article, I will discuss and tell you about the requirements and application process. Scroll down to read a full guide.

Who Qualifies for Grant-in-aid?

You have to fulfill the specific grant-in-aid requirements before applying for this support.

Beneficiary of disability grant, war veteran’s grant, or grant for older persons.
Unable to take care of yourself owing to your physical or mental disability, and therefore need full-time care from someone else.
Must not be under the care of institutions that receive a subsidy from the government.

What Documents Are Needed to Apply for a Grant?

If you hear the grant-in-aid news and want to get this, You must provide the following documents:

A valid medical report or assessment (less than 3 months old) confirming your requirement for round-the-clock care to be eligible.
Identity documents
Marriage certificate if married
Death certificate, If the spouse is deceased
If divorced then divorce papers
If employed, a wage certificate
A signed affidavit

How to Apply for Grant-in-aid?

The method of application is given below:

Visit your local SASSA branch office
Get the Sassa grant-in-aid application form from the office and complete it before a SASSA official.
You can submit this application with the applications for disability, old-age, and war veterans’ aids.
Ask a family member or a friend to do the task if you’re too sick, old, or disabled to submit your application yourself.
Submit a medical report that proves you are severely disabled and require full-time home care confirmed by a privately employed doctor or one appointed by the state.
Complete the application form with the assistance of SASSA officials.
They will give you a stamped receipt with a date from the SASSA officer who helped you complete the application. Keep it as the only proof.
Return the completed application form along with the attached documents to the office staff. They will review your application to ensure whether it’s complete.

How Long Does it Take?

In general, applications are assessed within 3 months, but the applications for this are assessed within 30 working days. After the verification, they will inform you whether your application is approved or rejected. You will get a written response. On the contrary, if rejected, you will be provided with the reason for your rejection.

What If the Application is Rejected?

If your application is not approved, you can appeal within 90 working days to the Ministry of Social Development. If they agree with the appeal, it will overturn SASSA’s decision.

How Much is Grant in Aid in South Africa?

For 2024, the grant-in-aid amount is set to R530 per month. It is an additional amount that beneficiaries will get along with their other SASSA grant payments.

How Will You Be Paid?

The South African Social Security Agency pays you through the following methods:

Cash
Bank Deposit
Through Institution

Note: If you cannot collect the grant in aid SASSA funding yourself, you are allowed to appoint a procurator or give someone power of attorney to do it on your behalf.

When Will the Grant Not Be Paid?

The support will be canceled if:

You are no longer in need of care for another person.
The applicant died.
You are admitted to the state institution.
Income or assets improve.
Do not claim the assistance for consecutive 3 months.

Suspension of this Financial Assistance

The government can suspend your financial support for the following reasons:

Changes in financial or medical circumstances
Fraud or false information provided to the government
The review was not conducted cooperatively
The outcome of the review
Your aid may have been approved in error

What Are The Responsibilities Of The Grant Holder?

The grant holder may have certain responsibilities. Update the officials about any changes in your personal and financial situations. In case your address, bank account, and contact details change, you have to inform SASSA. Keep in mind that the agency takes strict action against fraudulent activities. Dial 0800 601 011 for general inquiries.