SASSA Disability Grant 2024: Requirements & Eligibility Criteria

SASSA offers numerous grants to all deserving South African citizens. They offer a disability grant that guarantees financial aid to those citizens who cannot work because of a physical or mental disability. If you have spent six or more months unemployed because of your disability, you can apply for this grant.

The great thing about it is that most people who apply get approved for this application. SASSA has set some eligibility criteria that are not very restricted. All you need to do is pass the eligibility criteria and get the required documents to get selected for the SASSA disability grant.

Keep reading this guide and find out all there is to know about the Disability Grant.

What is the SASSA Disability Grant?

The SASSA Disability Grant is a financial support program to help people facing physical or mental disabilities in South Africa. It’s meant for people who cannot work because of their disabilities. There are two types of disability grants: permanent disability grants and temporary disability grants.

Permanent Disability Grant

The Permanent Disability Grant is for people whose disability lasts more than a year. It provides ongoing financial aid for as long as the disability remains. It’s important to note that
“Permanent” here does not always mean forever. Instead, if your disability lasts beyond 12 months, you can receive aid through this grant.

Temporary Disability Grant

If your disability lasts between 6 and 12 months, you will qualify for the Temporary Disability Grant. This grant offers financial assistance throughout this period. Moreover, if your disability persists and continues to prevent you from working, you can renew this grant to keep receiving aid.

Both grants aim to help individuals going through different durations of disability. It ensures they receive the necessary financial aid to cope during these challenging times.

Key Factors for the SASSA Disability Grant Eligibility Criteria

There are some set requirements for which you need to be eligible before you apply for the grant. You won’t be eligible for the disability grant if you don’t meet these criteria entirely. Here are the points of SASSA’s Disability Grant’s eligibility:

1. To be eligible for the grant, you should be a citizen of South Africa or hold legal residency status.
2. Applicants between 19 and 59 should qualify for the SASSA Disability Grant.
3. Having a valid Identity document is vital for the application procedure.
4. Individuals must not already receive benefits from other personal social grants to qualify for the Disability Grant.
5. Applicants should be unable to work for more than 6 months due to their physical or mental disability.
6. There are specific limits set for each income and asset that candidates have to adhere to. For instance:
   • Single individuals must ensure their annual profits do not exceed a specified amount.
   • Married individuals must follow combined income and asset thresholds.

These limits are set to ensure the grant gets to those needing financial help because of their incapacity.

SASSA Disability Grant Means Test

The SASSA Disability Grant utilizes a means test to evaluate eligibility for applicants. This test checks if your income and assets are within the required range. You must understand how this test works and what to expect from it. Here’s an overview:

Assets Threshold

• The assets must be less than R1,372,800 for a single individual to fulfill the eligibility standards.
• For married couples, the combined assets need to be under R2,745,600.

Income Threshold

• Individuals aiming to qualify for the grant should have an income of less than R96,840.
• For married couples, the combined earnings must not exceed R193,680.

Different types of incapacity grants have different means test criteria for financial eligibility. These thresholds are set to make sure that the grant reaches people who desperately need financial aid due to their disabilities, taking into account their financial situation.

How much is the SASSA disability grant amount?

As of October 2023, the grant gives a monthly aid of R2,090 per individual. This fixed amount serves as essential financial assistance for those dealing with disabilities.

The value of this grant is not uniform for all applicants. Instead, it’s adjusted based on the applicant’s profits. A person with a lower income is eligible for a higher grant amount. This system guarantees that people with more financial need because of their disabilities obtain considerable support.

Required Documents to Apply for Disability Grant

Once you have made sure that you meet the eligibility criteria, you need to get hold of all the required documents before applying. Here is the document list that you need to have on hand while applying for a disability grant:

1. ID Documents

• Your unique 13-digit bar-coded ID is essential. If unavailable, an affidavit that confirms your identity is required.

2. Medical and Functional Assessment Reports

• Reports from a medical practitioner validate your inability to work. Ensure those reports are recent, usually within the last three months.
• A functional assessment document confirming the limitations caused by your disabilities.

3. Proof of Income and Assets

• Documents proving your earnings, consisting of bank statements or payslips for the last 3 months.
• Details outline your assets’ value, including property ownership or other assets.

4. Marital Status Verification

• For married individuals, provide a wedding certificate as evidence of marital status.
• If divorced, present the divorce decree to confirm the divorce.
• If you are never married, skip this.

5. Other Supporting Documents

• A document confirming your current residential status.
• For refugees, provide relevant documents validating refugee status.
• If applicable, submit employment-related documents, including a discharge certificate or proof of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership.
• If applicable, present a death certificate and estate records of a deceased life partner within the last 5 years.

Procedure to Apply for the SASSA Disability Grant

Once you’ve made sure that you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents in hand, you are ready to apply. Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply for the disability grant:

1. Get a Medical Examination

• Visit a state-appointed practitioner for a medical evaluation to assess the severity of your disability.
• The doctor will examine and assess your condition to determine the impact of your disability on work.

2. Gather the required documents.

• Prepare the necessary documents, which include your ID, medical reports, financial records, and all other paperwork requested by SASSA.
• Check that all documents are complete and updated.

3. Get the Application Form

• Go to your nearest SASSA office to get the Disability Grant application form.
• Alternatively, you can get the form through the official SASSA website.

4. Fill Out the Form

• Carefully fill in the application form with accurate information.
• Get help from SASSA staff if you encounter any problems filling out the form.

5. Submit Application and Documents

• Take your finished application form and necessary documents to the SASSA office.
• If applying online, follow the website’s instructions to upload your files and submit the application digitally.

6. Interview and Assessment

• At the SASSA office, an officer will conduct a short interview about your state of affairs and disability.
• The officer will verify if your application is complete and guide you through the next steps.

7. Collect Receipt

• After submission, ensure you receive a dated stamp receipt as proof of your application.

8. Await Application Decision

• SASSA will process your application and notify you of the decision through mail, SMS, or phone.
• Keep track of your application status using the provided methods.

These simple steps can simplify the application procedure for the SASSA Disability Grant, ensuring that candidates provide the essential information and documentation for a successful application.

Processing Time for SASSA Disability Grant Application

The application processing time for the SASSA Disability Grant normally spans around 3 months from submission.

The assessment period starts once all required documents and the application form are submitted to SASSA. During this phase, SASSA carefully evaluates the application, assessing the eligibility criteria primarily based on the provided information.

Upon approval, beneficiaries will get notification of the decision, and payments will commence from the date of the initial application submission.

However, in the event of rejection, SASSA ensures applicants are informed of the reasons for the denial.

How to perform SASSA Disability Grant Status Check

Once you have applied for the grant, you need to check how far your grant’s evaluation has progressed. That way, you can stay updated on the situation. There are three ways you can check the status of your application:

1. SASSA Website

Visit the official website and enter the required details to check the status of your disability grant application. The system will show you the status instantly.

2. Moya APP

You can use the Moya App, which provides a data-free method to check your Disability Grant application status. Look for the specific feature or section in the app for disability grant inquiries.

3. SMS, WhatsApp, Toll-free Contact

Use SMS or WhatsApp to inquire about your application status. Send a message to the SASSA number (082-046-8553) or use the toll-free contact number (0800-601011) for updates on your Disability Grant application.

SASSA Disability Grant Payment Process

Once your disability grant application is approved, payments begin on that very day, i.e., the approval date.

The payments can be received through different means:

• Bank Deposits. Grant payments are distributed through direct deposits into the beneficiary’s bank account or Postbank account.
• Selected Retailers. Alternatively, beneficiaries can withdraw cash payments from partnered outlets like Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, or Spar.
• Specific Institutions. In a few cases, payments are made directly to institutions like old-age homes, disability centers, or non-profit organizations.

What should you do if your SASSA Disability Grant application is denied?

Your grant application may often face rejection. But if it did, it’s not the end of it. You can still use a few methods to send your application back in for re-evaluation. If they reject your SASSA Disability Grant application, consider these steps to address the situation.

Request Reconsideration

You can request that SASSA rethink its decision if you believe there were mistakes or missing information in the first assessment. Please provide more relevant documentation or explanation to support your request for reconsideration.

Appeal to Ministry of Social Development

If your request for reconsideration is denied or you disagree with SASSA’s choice, you can appeal the decision. You must submit the appeal within 90 days from the first submission of the application.

File your appeal with the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. This appeal will go through an evaluation process by the Ministry to think again about the application decision.

Grant Suspension Reasons

They confirmed your approval for the grant, but you have not received any money for several months. Maybe they suspended your grant. Grant suspensions may occur because of several factors:

• Significant changes in personal or financial conditions affect grant eligibility.
• Failure to comply with review processes or provide the necessary information.
• Engaging in fraudulent or deceitful actions associated with the grant.

Reasons for Lapsing of the Disability Grant

The disability grant can also lapse due to several reasons:

• If the beneficiary passes away, the grant ceases.
• Being absent from the country or no longer collecting payments for a long time.
• Changes in income or assets that do not meet eligibility standards.

Responsibilities of the Beneficiaries

Grant recipients should tell SASSA immediately about any personal or financial changes. Timely updates help prevent interruptions in grant payments, ensuring continued support for those in need.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The SASSA Disability Grant in South Africa aims to help people with physical or mental disabilities. This grant offers important financial help to those who qualify. Understanding the eligibility criteria means testing and duties as a beneficiary will guarantee a smooth application process.

Stay updated on your application status and know your alternatives if confronted with denials or suspensions. SASSA remains dedicated to helping eligible citizens, imparting essential assistance to those in need because of their disabilities.