All Types of Grants in South Africa 2024

A grant is a financial assistance program provided by the South African government to individuals and families in need.

Various circumstances, such as unemployment, disability, or old age, may make it difficult for people to meet their basic needs.

These grants provide a safety net, and the following are some of them.

Types of SASSA Grants

Sassa, the South African Social Security Agency, is an essential part of social security. Sassa’s various grants are expected to be familiar to every resident in South Africa.

The agency was established in 2005 and operates under the Sassa Agency Act (Act No 9 of 2004), which was signed into law by the President.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides social assistance programs through the SASSA social grant program. South Africa’s Social Security Agency administers and distributes social grants to qualified individuals and families.

The purpose of social grants is to help those in need obtain financial assistance and alleviate poverty. The South African government funds these grants to assist those who have a difficult time supporting themselves financially.

1. SRD Grant

SRD grants were created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide temporary assistance to people in need (especially lower earners).

In order to qualify for an SRD grant, you must:

• It is necessary for the household breadwinner to be medically disabled for less than six months before he or she can return to work.
• At least one month’s admission to a public or private institution is required for the household breadwinner.
• The breadwinner of the household must have died.
• It is necessary that your social grant has been approved and is awaiting payment.
• There must be a disaster that has affected your area/community (but it has not been declared a disaster area)

A breadwinner’s death must be reported within 12 months of the application for the SRD grant.

2. Care Dependency Grant

Care Dependency Grants (CDG) provide assistance to caregivers of children with severe physical or mental disabilities. Specifically, the child must be under the age of 18, permanently disabled, and in need of permanent care/support owing to that disability.

Having a child who requires a lot of professional care can be very expensive, so this Grant is intended to alleviate a portion of the costs.

It is possible for the caregiver (grant recipient) to be the child’s primary caregiver, or it may be the child’s foster parent.

The caregiver will not be eligible for the grant if the child is in a government institution for more than six months, receiving full-time care.

3. Child Support Grant

Biological parents or permanent caregivers who lack the means to support their children may be eligible for a Child Support Grant (CSG). Those under 18 years can apply for CSG grants if they are the primary caregiver.

Primary caregivers are eligible for grants – these are the primary caregivers:

• A minimum age of 16 is required
• An unrelated person or the biological parent of the child*
• Ensures all the basic needs of the child are met

Biological parents of the children are not required to receive the grant. If they cannot prove they are the primary caregiver, they will not be eligible for the grant.

4. Disability Grant

Individuals with disabilities can apply for the Disability Grant (DG).
You can apply for the Grant if you are:

• Younger than 18 and older than 59
• Disabilities that affect the physical/mental health of an individual
• Having difficulty obtaining the necessary means/money to survive

There are two types of DGs: temporary and permanent, spanning a period between six and twelve months. The grant recipient must reapply if the temporary DG expires before they have recovered from their illness.

You must provide proof of disability when you apply for a disability grant (a medical assessment or report no older than three months).

5. Foster Child Grant

Grants awarded through the Children’s Court to foster children are called Foster Child Grants (FCG). It is essential that the child is under 18 years of age and placed in foster care legally. A grant will be given to the foster parent (anyone who has custody of the child but is not the biological parent).

Social workers from the Provincial Department of Social Development assist the Magistrates Court in selecting the foster parent. FCG criteria require foster parents to submit a court order indicating foster care and ensure they live within South Africa with their child.

A social worker must assess the case before the grant expires to ensure the child’s circumstances haven’t changed. After obtaining a court order extension, the grant can be continued until the next expiration date, depending on the extension.

As long as the child attends an institution of learning, he or she can continue FCG until 21 years old. A Foster Child Grant application must be submitted each year after the child has turned 18 years old, with proof of attendance and an extension order.

6. Older Person Grant

Individuals over the age of 60 are eligible for an older person’s grant (also known as an old age pension). The individual must not be a member of a government institution and cannot receive any other grant.

The grant is still available to older people who are residents in subsidized facilities (such as old age homes). A means test will also be conducted to assess applicants’ income and assets.

Currently, Older Persons Grants are valued at R2 080 or R2 100 per month (people between 60 and 75 receive a smaller amount, while those over 75 receive a larger amount).

7. Grant-In-Aid

Individuals receiving a Social Grant who need assistance with performing necessary tasks can apply for a Grant-In-Aid (GIA).

Individuals receiving Old Age, Disability, or War Veteran Grants in need of regular assistance are eligible for GIA.

A grant is intended to assist those with severe physical and mental disabilities that prevent them from bathing, cleaning their house, doing laundry, or washing themselves.

8. War Veterans Grant

Those who served in the Second World War or Korean War are eligible for the War Veterans Grant (WVG). A person must be older than 60 years old, disabled, in a state institution, and not receive any other adult grants.

How to Apply for SASSA Grants?

SASSA grants can be applied for online by following these steps:

The SASSA services website can be accessed from any internet-connected device (cellphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer).

Click the yellow “Register” button on the SASSA services website to register as a new user.

The following information will be required from you:

• Whether you are a South African citizen, a permanent resident, or a refugee.
• Your ID number.
• The type of ID document you have (ID document/temporary ID).
• Make sure your ID number is correct.
• Please state your title.
• Your surname.
• Please provide your full name.
• Please provide your email address.
• The password you choose (must be at least 8 characters and contain at least 1 of the following: uppercase or lowercase letters, numbers, symbols or special characters) (must not be a common word or name).
• Choose a password and confirm it.
• Start with 0 for your South African cellphone number.

You will receive your One-Time-Pin OTP via the cellphone number you entered when applying. Confirm your registration by entering the OTP.

Use your username and password to log in to SASSA services.

Then, click on “Apply for a Grant” and choose the type of grant you want.

Provide all the required information in the grant application form.

Print the SASSA-generated affidavit and have it certified by an oath commissioner. Affidavit and Bank Payment Form should be printed, signed, and submitted.

The following certified supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format:

Steps to Apply for Sassa Grant In-Person Application

• Contact your local SASSA office for more information.
• Collect an application form.
• Please fill out the form and attach the required documents.
• SASSA staff should receive the completed application form and documents.

NSFAS Educational Grant

NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which is a South African government entity responsible for providing financial assistance to eligible students to help them pay for higher education.

The NSFAS educational grant is a form of financial aid provided by NSFAS to students in need.

This grant can cover various expenses associated with higher education, including tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks, and other study-related costs.

The NSFAS grant is primarily aimed at students from low-income households who would otherwise struggle to afford tertiary education.

The funds provided through NSFAS are typically in the form of a loan, which students are required to repay after completing their studies and once they start earning above a certain threshold income.

However, under certain conditions, the loan may be converted into a bursary, meaning that the student wouldn’t have to repay it.

The NSFAS educational grant plays a crucial role in enabling students who might not have the financial means to pursue higher education access to higher education, thereby promoting equal opportunities in education.

As a result, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offers a variety of grants to assist vulnerable individuals and families across the country.

There are a number of grants that play a vital role in alleviating poverty, ensuring access to basic necessities, and improving the overall well-being of people in need, including Child Support Grants, Old Age Grants, Disability Grants, Foster Child Grants, Care Dependency Grants, Grants-in-Aid, Social Relief of Distress Grants, War Veteran Grants, and Grants for Older Persons.

As part of its commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society, SASSA provides financial assistance.