SASSA Disability Grant

How do SASSA disability grants work? A Disability Grant (DG) is a payment provided by the South African government to adults who have disabilities that prevent them from working for at least six months.

Temporary disability grants can be obtained between six and twelve months for people with temporary disabilities, while permanent disability grants last one year for people with permanent disabilities.

A Disability Grant of R2 080 per month per person will be available from 1 April 2023 onwards. Disability Grants will be smaller for those with higher private incomes due to a sliding scale. There will be an increase of R10 (a total of R2 090) to the grant on 1 October 2023.

SASSA Disability Grant Requirements

SASSA Disability Grants are granted based on certain criteria (these criteria are subject to change). The following criteria must be met in order to qualify:

• The applicant must be either a South African citizen, a resident of South Africa, or a refugee
• You must be between 18 and 59 years old to apply
• It is not possible for you to receive permanent care in a state-funded facility
• South Africa is the only place where you need to reside
• Having a physical or mental disability (temporary or permanent) is a requirement.
• Temporary disability grants are available to people who have been unable to work for at least six months but not more than twelve months.
• A minimum 12-month period of incapacity is required when applying for the permanent disability grant.
• The following requirements must be met to be eligible for the means test.
• Through a medical examination, your disability will be assessed by the state
• Your right to receive care in a state institution is not permitted by law
• You can only receive your own social grant

SASSA Disability Grant Means Test

There is a means test that SASSA uses when determining the eligibility for social grants. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their income and assets according to means tests as a means of determining whether or not they qualify for a grant.

Income threshold: Applicants must not have assets exceeding R1 372 800 for single applicants, and R2 745 600 for married applicants.
Asset threshold: Applicants who are single cannot earn more than R96 840 per year, and applicants who are married cannot earn more than R193 680 per year.
These are the thresholds that will apply from 1 April 2023 onwards. In the case of a married applicant, half of the annual income will be calculated from the joint assets and income.

The means tests for grants vary according to the type of grant.

How to Apply For SASSA Disability Grant

In the application process for the Disability Grant, applicants will be evaluated by a state-appointed doctor. Based on the diagnosis of a temporary or permanent disability, SASSA-approved practitioners will determine if you qualify for the Disability Grant.

In the case of a Disability Grant, SASSA will make the final decision, not a physician.

If you believe you qualify for a SASSA Disability Grant, you can apply after you have undergone the medical assessment. You can apply in person at a SASSA office near you, or you can apply online (for instructions on how to apply online, you can visit the SASSA website).

In the event that you are too sick, old, or disabled to visit the SASSA office yourself, you can have a family member or friend visit the office on your behalf.

There must be a SASSA officer on hand at the SASSA office when an application form is being filled out. You or your appointed person will be able to receive assistance from SASSA officers if you or they are unable to fill out the application form on their own.

SASSA will issue a dated stamped receipt to the applicant who assisted with the application. Your receipt will serve as proof of your application.

To apply, you do not have to pay a cent.

Which Documents Are Required To Apply For SASSA Disability Grant

For the purpose of submitting an application for the SASSA disability grant, applicants will have to bring with them the following documents (original documents or certified copies):

• If the ID document is not available, you can download the SASSA affidavit here.
• Obtain a refugee permit and 13-digit refugee identification number: if needed
• An assessment of your functional abilities and a medical report confirming your disability
• Providing proof of your marital status is mandatory if you are married
• A proof of residence
• A copy of the dividend or income proof, if applicable
• In order to prove your assets, you must provide the municipal value of your property, if applicable
• Private pension proof, if applicable
• A copy of your last three month’s bank statement

SASSA Disability Grant Outcome

If your application is approved or rejected, you will be notified in writing within 30 business days of receiving it. When you are rejected, SASSA will explain its decision.

If SASSA has rejected your application, you can request a reassessment. Please find attached the SASSA Grant Reconsideration Application.

If your application is still rejected after reconsideration, you may appeal to the Minister of Social Development.

Payments will begin to be received by applicants three months after they apply. The date of your application will be used to backdate your payments.

Grant Payments

Your grant payment will be issued as soon as it is approved. The SASSA payment for the next month is shown on this page (usually around the third or fourth of each month).

You can choose between the following methods for receiving your Disability Grant:

• You will receive a direct credit to your bank account
• Paypoints approved by the government collect cash
• Specifically from institutions

If you would like your SASSA grant to be deposited into your bank account, you will need to complete a Consent Form for Bank Payment and provide these documents: a copy of your identity (ID/birth certificate/driving license), as well as a copy of your three-month bank statement with your name and account number.

Visiting the Welfare office will allow you to use the new payment method starting the following month.

Those who are unable to collect their own grants may nominate someone to do so on their behalf.

Grant Reviews

You must provide proof of all your incomes as part of your application.

Grant holders have the obligation to demonstrate that they still meet the grant criteria in order to remain eligible to receive the grant. As part of the application review, you will be asked to indicate whether your circumstances have changed since you submitted your application.

SASSA will notify applicants three months before the application review date. When and where the review will take place will be informed to you after the review has been conducted. Applicants who are bedridden will be visited at their homes. Upon completion of the review, you will receive your receipt of compliance.

The application of a refugee will be reviewed as soon as their status expires.

Grant Suspension

If your grant is suspended, it may be due to the following reasons:

• You have experienced a change in your financial or medical situation
• You provided incorrect or false information in your application
• You failed to cooperate with the review of the grant
• Results of the review
• During the grant approval process, there was an error

SASSA Disability Grant Restoration

A grant can be restored within 90 days after it has been suspended for one of the above reasons.

SASSA Disability Grant Lapse

If your grant expires, there are several reasons for it:

• There is no longer a grant holder
• An institution funded by the state admitted a grant holder
• For three consecutive months, no grant claims have been filed
• There is no longer a temporary disability
• Inhabitants of South Africa no longer live in the grant holder’s country
• Those who applied for the grant as refugees are no longer refugees:

SASSA Disability Grant Notes

As a grant holder, you are responsible for:

• You should inform SASSA if your personal or financial situation changes
• If you change your contact information or physical address, SASSA should be notified

It is important to inform SASSA of any changes in your address as soon as possible. Official notices will be mailed to the address that you have provided most recently. Failure to respond to the notices will result in the suspension of your grant. SASSA will not tolerate fraudulent activities.

FAQs – SASSA Disability Grant

Conclusion – SASSA Disability Grant

Individuals with disabilities who face financial hardships in South Africa can rely on the SASSA Disability Grant. Their basic needs are met, and their overall quality of life is improved because they receive a regular monthly income. Providing financial assistance allows disabled individuals to participate more fully in society by alleviating some of their financial burdens.

In order to be eligible for the SASSA Disability Grant, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and submit documentation verifying their financial need and permanent disability. The application process must be followed carefully and accurate information must be provided in order to ensure that the process runs smoothly.

As well as providing financial assistance, the SASSA Disability Grant promotes inclusion and equal opportunity for disabled people. By offering financial assistance and support, it recognizes the challenges they face. In order to maintain eligibility, recipients must adhere to any employment or additional income reporting requirements.

The SASSA Disability Grant is an important tool for enabling disabled individuals to live independently and with dignity in South Africa. A special focus on social welfare and the needs of vulnerable populations is a testament to the country’s commitment to social welfare.