SASSA War Veterans Grant: Eligibility & Application Guide

Are you a person who served your country as a war veteran? The South African government provides grants to participants who risked their lives in World War II (1939 – 1945), or the Korean War (1950 – 1953). SASSA war veterans grant is available for those veterans who are above 60 years old and are now unable to take care of themselves.

SASSA evaluates applicants’ income, assets, and other financial factors to determine their eligibility. To apply for war veterans, you have to know about it. This guide will discuss submitting your application, checking your status, and getting the grant payment.

Who Qualifies for War Veterans Grant?

You have to meet the eligibility criteria for this social assistance:

The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee residing permanently in the country.
Your age should be 60 years or above, or you should be disabled.
Must have fought in WWII or the Korean War.
You must not receive any other social grant for yourself.
Must not be admitted to a state institution.
Applicant and spouse must pass the means test.

Means Test Criteria for War Veterans Grant

To make sure that the grant goes to only deserving individuals, SASSA uses the means test. It evaluates a recipient’s income, assets, and other financial factors.

	Single Person	Married Person
Income threshold per anum	R101,640	R203,280
Asset threshold	R1,438,800	R2,877,600

Note: The value of the house that you or your spouse own and live in is not taken into account for the means test

Documents Needed for Grant Application

Important documents to register for the aid are:

13-digit bar-coded South African ID card.
If you do not have an ID card then:
Sign an affidavit in the presence of the Commissioner of Oaths who should not be a SASSA official.
Provide an attested sworn statement from the traditional leader, councilor, minister of religion, social worker, or school principal.
Give proof claiming you have applied for ID at the Department of Home Affairs.
Certificate of war service.
Provide medical proof that will prove that you can not work.
Proof of marital status: if you do not have the marriage certificate, then an Affidavit claiming that you are married.
If single: affidavit to prove you are single.
If divorced, provide your divorce order.
For a deceased spouse, submit the death certificate of your spouse.
If unemployed, then you need to provide your previous employer’s discharge letter or your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) blue book.
Pay slip or spouse if employed.
Bank account statement of the last three months if you have a bank account.
Information of interests and dividends if the applicant has investments.

How to Apply for War Veterans Grant?

The War Veterans Grant application process will be completed in the SASSA office.

Visit the nearest SASSA office
Fill out the grant application form and submit it.
If you are too sick and old, you can send a family member or a friend on your behalf. (with a letter from the doctor explaining the reason why you cannot visit yourself)
Complete the application form in front of a SASSA officer.
You can get assistance from the officer to fill out the form.
As part of the application process, the officer will also conduct an interview.
The officer will give a stamped receipt with his or her name and the application’s reference number.
Keep it as a proof.

Processing Time: The applications for this grant can take up to 90 days to complete. Wait for approval, once approved, SASSA will notify you by an official letter.

Grant Status Check: You can track the progress of your application by calling SASSA official helpline, visiting the nearest office, or by SASSA status check tool.

Application Rejected: If they reject your application, you will be notified in writing. If it happens, you can appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national office of the Department of Social Development. Keep in mind that appeal within 90 days of being notified of the rejected application.

How Much is War Veterans Grant in South Africa?

The war veterans’ grant amount changes on an annual basis. As of October 2024, you will get R 2 210 per month.

This military veterans grant is paid to beneficiaries through cash pick-up points, bank deposits, or by state institutions.

Note: You can send a procurator to the SASSA office or give someone (friend or family member) power of attorney to collect the grant on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

When May Your Grant Be Suspended or Lapse?

The authorities can suspend your grants due to the following reasons:

Change in circumstances
An outcome of the grant review
Failure to cooperate during the review process
Fraud or any misrepresentation
Grant approved in error

Your grant can lapse in cases of:

Death of applicant
Admission to state-owned institution
If not claimed for 3 months consecutively
If you are absent from the country

Note: If the applicant admits to the institution having a contract with the state to care for, the government will reduce the grant by 25%. It will start from the 4th month of admission. If you are discharged from the institution, SASSA will reinstate the reduced grant immediately.

FAQs

You should visit your bank branch or ATM. Enter your bank or SASSA card into the ATM and proceed with the transaction by entering your PIN. Click on the “Check Balance or Balance Inquiry” button.

Yes, the payment methods and application process are the same as for the other SASSA social grants.

No, that person is not eligible. You have to be an official soldier to apply for this financial aid.

You will get the money just next month after the approval of the application.