How to apply for the grant-in-aid

The grant-in-aid is not a grant on its own: SASSA adds it to an older persons grant, a disability grant or a war veterans grant. gov.za describes it as extra money to pay the person who takes care of you full time. The amount is set each year in the national Budget. The grant-in-aid page on gov.za gives the amount, but it may not show an increase straight away, so confirm it with SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.

Who qualifies

SASSA’s grant booklet says you must:

• already get an older persons grant, a disability grant or a war veterans grant,
• need regular care and help from another person because of a physical or mental disability or illness,
• not be cared for in a state-funded institution that gets a subsidy for your care or housing, and
• have a medical or functional assessment that confirms your disability.

If SASSA turned you down before on medical grounds, the booklet says you need a referral form completed by the facility or practitioner who treats you.

What to take with you

Take certified copies of your documents. SASSA’s booklet and gov.za list:

• your 13-digit barcoded ID, and your spouse’s if you are married,
• your Section 24 refugee permit, if you are a refugee,
• a medical or assessment report, less than three months old, that shows you need full-time care,
• a referral letter with clinical information from your health practitioner or treating facility,
• proof of your marital status,
• your latest payslip (not older than three months), and your spouse’s,
• three months of bank statements for every account you and your spouse hold,
• a bank confirmation letter or three months of statements for the account you want to be paid into,
• proof of deductions such as tax, UIF, medical aid or a private pension, and
• proof of assets, such as property you don’t live in, investments, shares or endowment policies.

SASSA may ask for more during your interview.

How to apply

1. Go to the SASSA office nearest to where you live. If you are too old or sick to travel, a family member or friend can go for you with a letter from you or a doctor’s note that says why you can’t come.
2. Fill in the application form in front of a SASSA officer. Only you or a SASSA official may complete it. The officer interviews you and tells you whether you qualify.
3. Keep the receipt SASSA gives you. It is your proof that you applied.

After you apply

gov.za says it can take up to three months to process an application. If SASSA approves it, you are paid from the date you applied.

If SASSA can’t give you an outcome on the day, follow up at the office, call 0800 60 10 11 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

If SASSA turns you down, it must tell you why in writing and how to appeal. Your appeal goes to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals, not to the Minister of Social Development. Appeal within 90 days of SASSA’s decision. The days count from the date of the decision, not from the day you hear about it, so don’t wait.

Ask a SASSA official to help you fill in the appeal form (Form 1). SASSA must send it to the tribunal within 15 days. You can also email your appeal to Grantappeals@dsd.gov.za. Include a copy of your ID and a copy of SASSA’s decision: the tribunal treats your appeal as lodged only once it has both. If more than 90 days have passed, you can still ask the tribunal to accept a late appeal on Form 2 and explain why you are late.

How you are paid

gov.za says the grant-in-aid is paid together with your main grant. See how SASSA pays.

SASSA may review your grant-in-aid when it reviews the grant it is attached to.

Stay safe

Applying is free. If someone else helps you collect or manage your grant, they should never keep your PIN. A procurator appointed through SASSA’s power of attorney form is the official way to let someone act for you. See how to spot SASSA scams.