How To Apply For Grant-In-Aid Support From SASSA Find out Complete Guide to Successful submitting your Application for Grant-In-Aid Support From SASSA.
What Is Grant-in-Aid?
If you are living on a social grant but can’t look after yourself, you can get an additional grant to pay the person who takes full-time care of you.
requirements for applying for a grant-in-aid
The same requirements that apply to your main grant, apply to the grant-in-aid. You must also have a valid medical report or assessment report (less than 3 months old), which shows that you need full-time care. This can be from a private doctor and doesn’t have to be from a state doctor. You can apply for the grant-in-aid at the same time as when you apply for the main grant.
How much is the grant-in-aid?
You will get R530 per month.
How will you be paid?
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will pay the grant to you through one of the following methods:
- cash at a specific pay point on a particular day
- electronic deposit into your bank or Postbank account (the bank may charge you for the service)
- an institution acting as administrator of the grant (e.g. welfare organisation).
The grant will be paid together with your social grant.
Note: If you are unable to collect the money yourself, you can appoint a procurator at the SASSA office, or give someone power of attorney to collect the grant on your behalf.
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How do I apply for the grant-in-aid?
You can apply for the grant-in-aid by filling in an application form at your nearest South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) or counter service point of a regional office. You don’t need to pay anything to make the application.
You’ll be interviewed, have your fingerprints taken and given information on whether you qualify for the grant. You’ll also need to show certain documents and provide the following information:
- Your South African identity document (ID), which must be bar-coded.
- Your medical report or medical assessment report.
- Information about your marital status:
- If you’re single, an affidavit stating that you’re single.
- If you’re married, your marriage certificate.
- If you’re divorced, your divorce order.
- If your spouse is dead, your spouse’s death certificate
If you can’t go to make the application yourself, a friend or family member can bring a letter from you and a doctor’s note saying why you can’t visit the office yourself. A home visit may then be arranged.
When you make the application, you should say how you would like the money to be paid. The money can be paid out in cash on specific days at a pay point, or you can get the money electronically paid into your bank account. Remember that normal bank charges can apply to any money going in and out of your bank account. You can decide to change the payment method at any time by filling in a form at a SASSA office, but the change will only happen a month later.
It will take about 30 working days for your application to be processed and checked and either approved or refused. If your application is refused, you’ll get a letter explaining why it has been refused and how you can appeal.
If it’s approved, you’ll start getting payments within 3 months. The payments will be backdated to the day you applied for the grant. You can find out about the status of your application as well as when you can expect payment by telephoning the toll-free SASSA telephone number 0800 601 011.
FAQ
When may your grant be reviewed?
Your grant may be reviewed when the social grant to which it is attached is reviewed.
What you should do
- Go to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office nearest to where you live and bring the following:
- your 13-digit bar-coded identity document (ID)
- proof of your marital status and spouse’s identity where applicable
- medical report or assessment report (less than three months old) that shows that you need full-time care.
Note: If you are too old or sick to travel to the office to apply, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf. The person should take a letter from you and/or a doctor’s note saying why you can’t visit the office.
3. Complete the application form in the presence of the SASSA officer (note that only you as the beneficiary or a SASSA official may complete the application form). The officer will interview you and tell you if you qualify for the grant.
4. You will be given a receipt. Keep it as proof that you applied.
What if your application is not approved?
5. If your application is not approved, SASSA will inform you in writing why your application was unsuccessful.
6. If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the Minister of Social Development. You must appeal within 90 days of being notified that your application was unsuccessful.
How long does it take
- It may take up to three months to process your application.
- If your grant is approved, you will be paid from the date on which you applied.
How much does it cost
The service is free.
Forms to complete
Application forms are not available online, but you can get them from your nearest SASSA office.
Who to contact
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
