Chapter 7 - Social Welfare
Social grants for adults who are 18 years and older
There are four different state social grants - Old Age Grant, Disability Grant, War Veteran's Grant and Grant-in-Aid.
Who can apply for a grant?
General criteria for applying for a social assistance grant
Social grants are available to South African citizens and permanent residents. Non-citizens of South Africa, for example refugees, people with work permits, children born in South Africa of non-citizens, may also receive South African social grants. Payment of social grants is made on condition that there is an agreement between South Africa and the country of origin of the non-citizen.
See What does South African citizenship mean?; Legal entry and staying in South Africa.
Old Age Grant (OAG)
In order to apply for an Old Age Grant you must:
- be a South Africa citizen or a permanent resident
- be resident in South Africa at the time of application
- if male, be 61 years (or older) from 1 April 2009 and 60 years (or older) from 1 April 2010
- if female, be 60 years or older
- if married, your spouse must comply with the means test
- have a valid identity document
You cannot apply for an Old Age Grant in the following cases:
if you are living or being taken care of by any of the following state institutions:
- prison
- old age home and state treatment centre
- psychiatric hospital
- drug rehabilitation centre
- if you are receiving another grant (unless it is a Grant-in-Aid).
See Grant-in-Aid.
Disability Grant
A disability grant is a social grant intended to provide for the basic needs of adults (people who are over 18 years) who are unfit to work due to a mental or physical disability. The applicant should not have refused to do work that they are capable of doing and should not have refused treatment. The disability must be confirmed by a valid medical report of a medical officer stating whether the disability is temporary or permanent.
A person can apply for a temporary disability grant where it is believed the disability will last between six months and a year, OR a permanent disability grant where it is believed the disability will last for more than a year.
The medical certificate for a grant may not be older than 3 months at the date of application.
In order to apply for a Disability Grant you must:
- be a South African citizen, or a permanent resident
- be resident in South Africa at the time of the application
- be between the ages of 18 years and 65 years (in the case of a male)
- be between the ages of 18 years and 60 years (in the case of a female)
- be unable to support yourself because of the nature of your disability
- if married, your spouse must comply with the means test
- submit an identity document
You cannot apply for a Disability Grant in the following cases:
if you are living or being taken care of by any of the following state institutions:
- prison
- old age home and state treatment centre
- psychiatric hospital
- drug rehabilitation centre
- if you have refused to undergo medical treatment;
- if you are receiving another grant (unless it is a Grant-in-Aid).
See Grants-in-Aid.
War Veteran’s Grant
Special grants have been introduced for war veterans who fought in the liberation struggle. If a person thinks that they qualify they should contact their political party.
In order to apply for a War Veteran’s Grant you must:
- be a South Africa citizen, or a permanent resident
- be resident in South Africa at the time of application
- be 60 years and over or disabled
- have fought in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945) or the Korean War (1950-1953)
- not be cared for in a State Institution
- if married, your spouse must comply with the means test
Grant-in-Aid
The Grant-in-Aid is a social grant intended to provide for the basic needs of adults who are unable to care for themselves and is certified by a medical officer to be in need of full-time care from someone else. The Grant-in-Aid is provided as an additional grant to adults who are already receiving one of the following grants: Old Age Grant / Disability Grant / War Veteran’s Grant. The Grant-in-Aid is not paid out on its own – it must be in addition to a main social grant.
See Person receiving an Old Age Grant needs full time care.
In order to apply for a Grant-in-Aid you must:
- be a South Africa citizen, or a permanent resident
- be resident in South Africa at the time of application
- be receiving an adult social grant
- require full-time care by another person due to a physical or mental disability.
- not be cared for in a state institution
The means test for adult social assistance grants
Anyone applying for a social grant must qualify through a means test. This is a way of measuring a person’s income and assets. If you apply for a grant SASSA will evaluate your income and assets. If your income and/or assets are higher than the thresholds set by government, then you will not qualify for a social grant. The means test depends on your own income and assets if you are not married, and on the income and assets of you and your spouse if you are married.
The income and assets thresholds set for the means test as of April 2009 are as follows:
Assets threshold
- A single person should not have assets totaling more than R338 400;
- A married person’s joint assets with his/her spouse should not total more than R676 800.
The value of a house that a person lives in is not taken into account, regardless who it belongs to.
Income threshold
- A single person should not earn more than R23 544 per year;
- A married person’s joint income with his/her spouse should not be more than R43 704 per year.
The income of a spouse is taken into account whether you are married in or out of community of property. However, if your spouse has deserted you for more than 3 months, then the marital status of the applicant is not taken into account.
For up-to-date information on the asset and income thresholds for the means test, check the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) website: www.sassa.gov.za.
What counts as income?
Income means money you get from somewhere else. This can be:
- renting out a room in your house for a fee;
- leasing out any other property for a fee;
- from a private pension fund;
- earning money for work that you do;
- profits you make from farming or from any business.
If one of the spouses already receives a grant, then that grant must not be counted as income when you apply for a grant.
Your assets can be:
- the value of a house or land that you or your spouse own (if the property has a bond registered over it then it is regarded as having a nil value); remember that a home that you own is not counted as an asset if you live in it;
- bonds or loans or other outstanding debt;
- cash in the bank or any account with a bank or building society.
A husband and wife can claim separate grants. But a grants officer will ask how much they both earn together. But if either of the spouses already gets a grant, then that grant must not be counted as income when the other spouse applies for a grant.
What can be deducted when calculating income?
You are allowed to deduct the following:
- contributions to a pension fund or retirement annuity;
- income tax that you pay;
- payments made to a medical aid;
- payments made to the unemployment insurance fund
Who can not get a grant?
Even if you are old enough, disabled, or a war veteran, you may still not get a grant. A grant can be refused if you:
- already get another social grant (except in the case of a Grant-in-Aid which is only given to a person if they are already receiving either an Old Age Grant, Disability Grant or War Veteran’s Grant);
- are a mineworker who receives money in terms of the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act;
- get money for permanent disablement from the COIDA;
- are kept and cared for in a state institution (like a state-run nursing home, a hospital or a prison), although you may be entitled to a part if you are in a private institution which has a contract with the state;
- do not pass the means test.
How much money can you get?
The amount you get depends on your income and assets. The amount also changes each year with the annual government budget.
As from 1st October 2009 the following amounts will be paid per month:
- Old age pension: R1010
- Disability grant: R1010
- War veterans grant: R1030
- Grant-in-aid: R240
- Child support grant: R240
- Care dependancy grant: R1010
- Foster care grant: R680
For up-to-date information on grant amounts check the website of the South African Social Security Agency: www.sassa.gov.za and click on ‘About Social Grants” then “Grants Amount’.
Applying for a grant
Where can you apply?
You can apply from Monday to Friday but some offices are only open for grants on certain days of the week or month, or sometimes even only once in two months.
When can you apply?
You can apply from Monday to Friday but some offices are only open for grants on certain days of the week or month, or sometimes even only once in two months.
What do you need before you apply?
Applicants for a grant must have proof of the following before applying:
For an Old Age Grant
- South African bar-coded identity document (to prove identity, citizenship and age)
- If you are single, an affidavit stating this fact
- Marriage certificate if you are married
- Divorce papers if you have been divorced
- Death certificate, if your husband or wife died
- If you are employed, a wage certificate
- If you are unemployed, any UIF record of registration, discharge certificate from your previous employer
- If you have a private pension, proof of the pension
- If you have a bank account, bring a bank statement of three consecutive months
- Proof of any other income and assets
For a Disability Grant
- South African bar-coded identity document (to prove identity, citizenship and age)
- If you are under 60 years (for a female) or 65 years (for a male) bring a medical assessment or report stating that you are disabled and cannot work
- If you are single, an affidavit stating this fact
- Marriage certificate, if you are married
- Divorce papers if you are divorced
- Death certificate, if your husband or wife died
- If you are employed, a wage certificate
- If you are unemployed, any UIF record of registration, discharge certificate from your previous employer
- If you have a private pension, proof of the pension
- If you have a bank account, bring a bank statement of three consecutive months
- Proof of any other income and assets
- If your partner died within the last 5 years, a copy of the will and the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts
For a War Veteran's Grant
- South African identity document (to prove identity, citizenship and age)
- Proof of 'official war' service (discharge certificate or medals)
- If you are under 60 years (for a female) or 65 years (for a male) bring a medical assessment or report stating that you are disabled and cannot work
- If you are single, an affidavit stating this fact
- Marriage certificate, if you are married
- Divorce papers if you are divorced
- Death certificate, if your husband or wife died
- If you are employed, a wage certificate
- If you are unemployed, any UIF record of registration, discharge certificate from your previous employer
- If you have a private pension, proof of the pension
- If you have a bank account, bring a bank statement of three consecutive months
- Proof of any other income and assets
Grant-in-Aid
- South African bar-coded identity document (to prove identity, citizenship and age)
- Your medical report or medical assessment report (less than 3 months old)
- If you are single, an affidavit stating this fact
- Marriage certificate, if you are married
- Divorce papers if you are divorced
- Death certificate, if your husband or wife died
- If you are employed, a wage certificate
- If you are unemployed, any UIF record of registration, discharge certificate from your previous employer
- If you have a private pension, proof of the pension
- If you have a bank account, bring a bank statement of three consecutive months
- Proof of any other income and assets
What can you use for proof?
Proof of identity, South African citizenship and age:
- a South African identity book (ID)
OR - a temporary South African identity document from the Department of Home Affairs
See South Africa’s citizenship law.
Proof of disability:
When an application is made for a disability grant, the SASSA officer will give the person a medical form to be completed by either a medical officer or an assessment panel. The medical person must write on the form what disability you have and how long they think it will last.
The assessment by an assessment panel will take place if there is no doctor available. The panel will consist of medical people such as nurses, psychologists and social workers as well as community leaders such as chief magistrates or priests.
The SASSA officer sends the doctor's certificate in with the application form. The medical officers in SASSA look at the medical certificate or assessment and see if they agree that you are disabled. If they do not agree, they turn the application down.
How do you apply for a grant?
There are three stages in the process of applying for a grant:
1. Application process: Filling in the application forms, taking fingerprints, interview with SASSA officer (2 hours);
2. Notification process: Letter of approval or rejection (less than 2 months / 30 working days after application);
3. Appeals process: Appeals of the decision (within 90 days of receiving a letter of rejection).
Stage 1: Application process
The application for the social grants is free and should not take longer than 2 hours.
You must take all your proof to the nearest SASSA District office or counter service point.
See What do you need before you apply?
You will first have to fill in an application form in the presence of a SASSA officer. After this there will be an interview, fingerprints will be taken, and then you must present information to prove your means (income and assets) to see if you quality under the means test. The documents will be verified by another SASSA officer. When the application is made, you should say how you would like the money to be paid.
See Getting paid.
In addition, if you are applying for a Disability Grant, the following steps will be taken:
- The SASSA officer will send you to a medical doctor appointed by the government for a medical examination to assess your disability. You should show all medical records, even old records from another doctor or hospital to the doctor.
- You must take the doctor’s certificate or assessment panel’s report back to the SASSA officer.
When the application process is completed, you will get a receipt and a copy of the completed application form. This receipt is the only proof of application that you have and should therefore be kept safe. Check that the following is on the receipt: date of application, official stamp, name of applicant, and name of SASSA officer.
Stage 2: Notification process
It will take about thirty working days for your application to be processed and checked and either approved or refused.
If your application is approved it must be dated and in the language that you prefer.
If the application is approved, you should start getting payments within 3 months. Payments will be backdated to the day you applied for the grant. If you have not received payment within 3 months, you can find out what has happened to the application and when you can expect payment by contacting the following number: SASSA toll-free helpline on 0800 601 011.
If the application is rejected, the rejection must be made in writing in the language that you prefer and it must advise you on your right to appeal and the process to follow.
If the application is rejected, a letter of appeal can be written to the Minister of Social Development explaining why you do not agree with the decision. This appeal must be sent (lodged) within 90 days of receiving the letter of rejection. The Minister reviews the appeal and may decide to overturn the decision of rejection or may agree with the first assessment.
The Minister may also appoint an independent tribunal which has to deal with the matter within 30 days. If the matter has been referred to a tribunal, you must be given a chance to address the tribunal. The Minister must inform you, within 30 days of the finalization of the tribunal process, of the tribunal’s conclusion.
Can another person make the application on behalf of an applicant?
If the applicant cannot be made by the caregiver or beneficiary because they are too old or sick, a friend or family member can bring a letter from them and a doctor's note saying why the primary caregiver cannot visit the office themselves. A home visit may then be arranged. The Agency can also appoint a Procurator for this person.
See Can another person fetch an applicant’s grant?
Remember you can also apply for a Grant-in-Aid at the same time as you apply for an Old Age Grant, Disability Grant or War Veteran’s Grant if you cannot look after yourself and need full-time care.
Getting paid
Methods of payment
When you apply for a grant you need to say how you would like the money to be paid. You can receive your grant by the following methods:
- cash payment on specific days at a paypoint
- electronic payment into a bank account.
If you want to have the money paid into a bank or post office account, you must fill in a special form when you make the application.
If you want to change the method and place of payment of the grant you can make an application to the local service office.
See Problem 2: Problems with grant payments: Getting a grant paid into a bank account, page 296 (2008 Edition)
If you cannot collect the grant yourself, you may nominate a procurator to collect it on your behalf.
See Can another person fetch an applicant’s grant?
When can you get the grant money?
All grants are paid monthly. But the dates and times of grant payments are different in different areas.
Your first payment can be bigger than the regular monthly payment, because the first payment is counted from the date of your application. So if you waited four months after applying, you should get four month's money in your first payment.
See Problem 1: Problems with grant applications, Long delay in getting grant; Problem 2: Problems with grant payments, Applying for back pay.
How do you get your grant money?
When you go to collect your grant you must take a valid identity document with you. When you receive the money, count it to check that it is right and then sign or thumb print for receipt of the money. This is proof that you have received the money. You must not sign or give your thumb print before you get the money. If something is wrong with the money you must not sign. You must complain immediately to the person who makes the payouts.
See Problem 2: Problems with grant payments: SASSA officers are rude to grant applicants.
Can another person fetch an applicant's grant?
If a grant applicant is too old, sick or disabled and cannot get to the SASSA office to fetch their grant, they can sign a paper called a power of attorney to say that another person called a procurator, can fetch the grant. The SASSA office has a special power of attorney form which specifies what details to fill in order to appoint a procurator. The procurator who will collect the grant on behalf of the sick or disabled person must take the form to the grant applicant. The applicant must sign or put their thumb print on the power of attorney, in front of a Commissioner of Oaths (for example, a lawyer, church minister, police officer or bank or post office official). The procurator must do the same.
If the applicant is too old, sick or disabled to go to a Commissioner of Oaths to sign the power of attorney, they must ask at least two people (who know the applicant well) to make an affidavit. This is a sworn statement that says the applicant is still alive but he/she cannot collect their own grant because of sickness or disability. They must sign the affidavits in front of a Commissioner of Oaths.
It is also possible to request a SASSA officer to do a home visit to enable the applicant to complete and sign the Power of Attorney form in front of the official.
The SASSA officer must approve an applicant’s request to let someone else fetch the grant.
The SASSA officer can regularly ask to see the applicant, or to see some proof that he/she is still alive. The grant can be stopped if proof is not given that the applicant is still alive. However, the SASSA officer must send a notice to the applicant or give the notice to the person who collects the grant, before the month when the SASSA officer wants new proof.
When the procurator goes to collect the grant money, s/he must produce a valid identify document and an affidavit to prove that s/he has been authorised to do this.
Can anyone claim access to a beneficiary’s grant money?
Deductions can only be made from your grant money if the law believes it is in your best interests. Moneylenders and creditors may not enter the premises or be within 100 metres of where grants are paid
When does the grant stop?
A grant can stop for many legal reasons.
The Old Age and War Veteran's Grant stops:
- when you die;
- if you do not provide proof that you are alive when asked; about once a year your pension will be reviewed to check that you are still alive;
- if it is not collected for 3 consecutive months; you can apply to have the grant payments start again but if it is more than 90 days later, you must apply for anew grant;
- if you are admitted to a government institution, for example a jail or government hospital; sometimes a pensioner in an institution can get a small pension allowance;
- If you are absent from the country for a continuous period that is longer than 6 months;
- If your income and/or assets improve so much that you longer qualify for the grant in terms of the means test.
If you die, the person who holds the receipt for funeral expenses can claim your pension up to the end of the month in which you die. He or she can use this money to help with the funeral and other expenses. After the person claims, this money takes about 4 months to come.
The Disability Grant stops for all the same reasons as the Old Age Grant, PLUS
- A temporary Disability Grant will not continue for more than a year; after this it will lapse and you will have to reapply.
- If it is a permanent Disability Grant, you will have to undergo another medical assessment after 5 years of the date of the application. But SASSA can ask permanent disability grant holders to provide proof every year that they are still alive.
The law also says the SASSA officer can review the disability grant –
- every year where there is documentary proof that your financial circumstances have or may change, or
more regularly where there is documentary proof that your medical circumstances may change.
A Disability Grant will be converted to an Old Age Grant when a male beneficiary turns 65 years, and a female beneficiary turns 60 years old.
A Grant-in-Aid stops for all the same reasons as the grants and if the main grant is withdrawn.
What happens when a grant is wrongly stopped?
There are times when a grant is wrongly stopped. If this happens, you should send a letter to the same office where you made the application. The letter should give:
- all details of the application
- date of last payment
- details of payments missed
- any reasons you know of why the correct payments were not made
- request for the money
Keep a copy of the letter and proof that the letter was sent, for example a registered mail slip.
Stopping a grant on grounds of fraud
A grant will be stopped if it is found that you provided information to SASSA that is known to be untrue to get the grant in the first place. It will also be stopped if it is discovered that you failed to inform SASSA of changes in your circumstances (for example, you start earning a big salary or you are no longer disabled) which would disqualify you from receiving the grant. Providing misleading information constitutes fraud and SASSA can claim any money that has been overpaid back from you.
| <--- Previous section |