Disability grants

You can apply for 1 of these:

• A temporary disability grant if your disability will last for a continuous period of not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months, or 
• A permanent disability grant if your disability will continue for more than a year. However, a permanent disability grant does not mean you will receive the grant for life. It simply means that it will continue for longer than 12 months.

• be a South African citizen or permanent resident or refugee and living in South Africa at the time of application,
• be between 18 and 59 years old,
• not be cared for in a state institution,
• have a valid South African identity document (ID),
• earn less than R64 680 a year (R5 390 per month) if you are single or R 129 360 (R10 780 a month) if you’re married,
• not have assets worth more than R930 600 if you are single or R1 861 200 if you are married,
• undergo a medical examination where a doctor appointed by the state will assess the degree of your disability, and
• bring along any previous medical records and reports when you make the application.

How to apply

You’ll also have to undergo a medical test. The level of your disability will be checked by a state-appointed doctor.

You should bring along any previous medical records and reports, both when you make the application and when the tests are done.

The doctor will complete a medical report and will forward the report to the SASSA. The report is valid for 3 months from the date you are assessed.

Where to apply

You can apply for a disability grant at your nearest SASSA office. If you’re too old or sick to travel to an office near you, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf.

Your application form will be completed in the presence of an officer from SASSA. When your application is completed, you’ll be given a receipt as proof of your application (make sure you keep your receipt in a safe place).

Applying for a disability grant is free.

What if your application is not approved?

If your application is not approved by SASSA, you must be given valid reasons for this in writing.

You have the right to ask SASSA to reconsider your application if you are unhappy with their decision. This appeal must be lodged with SASSA within 90 days of you being informed of the outcome of your initial application.

How much will you get?

The maximum amount you can receive is R1 410 a month.

Note: If your grant is approved, you’ll be paid from the date on which you applied.

How will you be paid?

When you make the application, you should say how you would like the money to be paid. A grant will be paid to you through one of the following methods:

• Cash at a specific pay point on a particular day. 
• Electronic deposit into your bank account, including Postbank (the bank may charge you for the service). 
• An institution not funded by the state – for example, a home for people with disabilities.

Note: 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.

A review is carried out to check that your circumstances have not changed since you applied for the grant or were last reviewed.

SASSA must notify you in writing at least 3 months before the date of your review indicating where and when your review will take place and what might happen as a result of it. If you are bed-ridden, home visits are arranged to accommodate you.

Once the review has been completed, make sure that you receive a receipt of compliance from the SASSA official.

The following may result in the suspension of a grant:

• Changes of circumstances (financial or medical).
• Outcome of a review.
• Failure to co-operate when a grant is reviewed.
• Giving SASSA false information (fraud or misrepresentation).
• If the grant was approved in error.

The disability grant will be cancelled:

• if you die,
• if you are admitted to a state institution.
• if your income or assets improve so much that you no longer qualify in terms of the means test, or
• in the case of a temporary disability grant, when the period of the temporary disability had lapsed.

Remember that it is your responsibility to inform the department of any changes in your circumstances and means. This includes changes in either your physical or postal addresses and/or banking details. Failure to do so may result in the suspension of your grant.

For general enquiries:

• Visit your nearest SASSA office.
• Phone SASSA’s toll-free help line at 0800 601 011 for more information on:
  • Pay-out dates.
  • Qualifying rules for all government grants.
  • District office addresses and contact numbers.
  • For help with what has happened to your application.
  • How you can also report any fraud or corruption.