SASSA FORMS/CLAIMS

About a disability grant

If you have a physical or mental disability which makes you unfit to work for a period of longer than six months, you can apply for a disability grant.

You get a permanent disability grant if your disability will continue for more than a year and a temporary disability grant if your disability will last for a continuous period of not less than six months and not more than 12 months. A permanent disability grant does not mean you will receive the grant for life, but that it will continue for longer than 12 months.

How do you know if you qualify?

To qualify, you must:

• 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 13-digit, bar-coded identity document (ID)
• not earn more than R78 120 if you are single or R156 240 if married.
• not have assets worth more than R1 115 400 if you are single or R2 230 800 if you are married
• undergo a medical examination where a doctor appointed by the state will assess the degree of your disability
• bring along any previous medical records and reports when you make the application and when the assessment is done.

The doctor will complete a medical report and will forward the report to South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

The report is valid for three months from the date you are assessed.

Note: If you are under 18 and need permanent care due to your disability, your primary caregiver can apply for a Care Dependency Grant. If you don’t have an ID, you will be required to complete an affidavit and provide proof of having applied for the document from the Department of Home Affairs. If you have not applied for an ID, you must do so within three months of applying for the grant.

How much will you get?

The maximum is R1780 per month.

How will you 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 – e.g. home for people with disabilities.