SASSA is at the helm of providing financial support for millions of South Africans to ensure that needy people get the needed assistance. SASSA, in 2025, grants several types of finances for very specific purposes. Here is an elaborate description of the eight best-known grants on offer plus some information on how to know whether or not you qualify.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
The SRD grant is aimed at providing temporary assistance for people in dire financial crises for whom any other form of assistance is unavailable.
Eligibility Criteria: Citizens or foreigners, refugee status or special permit with age included between 18 to 60. Must be unemployed, not receiving any other forms of social grant.
Benefit Amount: R370 per month.
Child Support Grant
This grant envisages offering assistance to primary caregivers for financial support of their children.
Eligibility Criteria: Primary caregiver (parent or grandparent or guardian) of a child under 18 years of age. The caregiver must meet the income threshold as set out by the SASSA.
Beneficiary Amount: R530 per month per child. An additional top-up of R250 is available for also caring for an orphaned child, or R780 in total per child.
Foster Child Grant
This grant supports children who, mostly due to a very serious reason, have been placed in foster care.
Eligibility Criteria: Foster parents with a court order confirming the placement of the child under foster care.
Benefit Amount: R1,180 per month per child.
Care Dependency Grant
The dependent grant caters to caregivers of children suffering from serious disabilities that need constant care.
Eligibility Criteria: Caregivers of children under 18 years with severe disabilities. Must present a medical assessment that indicates his/her condition.
Benefit Amount: R2,190 per month per child.
Disability Grant
This is a grant for referred people who cannot support themselves due to mental or physical disability.
Eligibility Criteria: Citizens or permanent residents of South Africa, between the ages of 18 and 59. Medical examination confirming that the applicant has a disability. Also, they must pass a means test.
Benefit Amount: R2,190 maximum per month, disregarding any deductions.
Older Persons Grant
Provides support to citizens classified as elderly.
Eligibility Criteria: South Africans or permanent residents aged 60 and above. Must pass a means test.
Benefit:
- Aged 60–75: R2,190 per month.
- Aged 75 and above: R2,210 per month.
Grant-in-Aid
- An additional grant for people in need of constant attendance due to mental or physical disabilities.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must qualify to receive the Older Persons, Disability, or War Veteran’s Grant. Must need regular assistance by another person.
- Amount: R530 per month.
War Veteran’s Grant
- Provide assistance to those who served during the World War II or the Korean War.
- Eligibility Criteria: South African citizens or permanent residents who served in these wars. They should be over 60 years old or disabled. Means test applicable.
- Benefit Amount: R2,210 per month.
How One Can Apply for SASSA Grants:
- The applicant must go online, scour the official SASSA site, and click on an “Apply for a Grant” section. Fill the application form and upload all required documents.
- Go directly to the nearest office branch for SASSA and take along necessary documents such as an ID, proof of income, and if applicable, all relevant medical reports. Ask the SASSA official for assistance to complete the application.
Required Documents:
Valid South African ID, Proof of Residence, Proof of Income or Not, Medical Reports, if Any. This however means that the grant amounts and eligibility can change. The applicant must visit the SASSA page or contact the respective offices for real-time information.