SASSA War Veterans Grant: How to apply | Eligibility Criteria

The SASSA War Veterans Grant is a financial aid program for South African individuals who have served in the Great War, including the Korean War or the Second World War. SASSA has ensured that the individuals engaged in these wars and needing financial assistance get all the necessary help.

To qualify for this grant, you must meet the eligibility criteria, which is relatively straightforward.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything there is to know about SASSA’s War Veteran Grant, including eligibility criteria, required documents, the application process, status checks, balance checks, and a lot more. Let’s get started.

Eligibility Criteria For SASSA War Veterans Grant

Before applying for the SASSA War Veterans Grant, you need to ensure that you fulfill specific criteria set by SASSA. This criteria is set so that SASSA can confirm that this financial aid is going to the right person for the right cause. They like to make sure that they help those citizens who are in genuine need of financial help. Here are the criteria you need to fulfill to avail of the SASSA War Veteran Grant:

• You need to be a citizen of South Africa or have permission to live here permanently.
• It’s a must that you live in South Africa.
• You must either be 60 years old or have a disability.
• You shouldn’t already be getting another type of social grant.
• You must have participated in the Korean War or the Second World War.
• You shouldn’t be getting help from a state care institution.

SASSA also conducts a means test to see if the applicant genuinely needs financial aid. The criteria for that are as follows:

• If you’re single, your yearly income should be less than R96,840.
• The combined annual income should be less than R193,680 if you’re married.
• If you’re single, your assets should be less than R1,372,800.
• If you’re married, your combined assets should be less than R2,745,600.

I will discuss more about the means test later in this article.

Required Documents Simplified for War Veterans Grant Application

Once you have ensured that you fit the eligibility criteria for SASSA’s War Veteran Grant and will most likely pass the Means Test, the next thing to do is gather all the required documents for the application process. SASSA judges your criteria through these documents and concludes whether you are eligible for financial aid. Make sure you have the following documents before you apply for the grant:

• Proof that you served during the Korean War or Second World War.
• Your official identification document or get an affidavit from SASSA if you don’t have an ID.
• A statement about you from someone reputable, like a community leader, counselor, or religious figure. They are needed to verify your information.
• Documents showing your disability, like a medical report.
• Something official that shows where you currently live.
• Documents related to your marriage, divorce, or single status.
• Details about your money and things you own, like payslips, bank statements, or proof of investments.

What is the Means Test for the SASSA War Veterans Grant?

To ensure the SASSA War Veterans Grant goes to folks who need it the most, they use a “means test.” This is a check to see if you qualify based on your financial scenario. This test looks at your situation, including your income and assets. Let’s go through it:

For Assets 

• If you’re single, the total cost of what you own (like property or savings) should be at most R1,372,800.
• If you’re married, the total cost of what you and your spouse own should be at most R2,745,600.

For Income

• If you are single, your yearly income must be less than R96,840. That’s about R8,070 per month.
• If you are married, your and your partner’s yearly earnings should be under R193,680. That’s around R16,140 per month.

So, why these limits? The idea is to ensure the grant goes to people who need it the most. You can manage without the grant if your belongings or income are above these thresholds.

These criteria are for SASSA’s War Veteran Grant only. Remember, every grant has its means test method and income and asset limits.

Procedure to Apply for the War Veterans Grant

Once you have ensured that you fit the eligibility criteria and have all the necessary documents with you or within your reach, you can move forward with the application process. It is pretty simple, and SASSA offers alternative ways to apply if you cannot apply in person. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the SASSA’s War Veteran Grant:

Steps	Action
1	Gather necessary documents (ID, proof of service)
2	Visit SASSA office or website
3	Complete application form
4	Submit form and documents
5	Await confirmation and assessment
6	Receive notification of outcome

• Find the SASSA office nearest to your location. You can find a list of SASSA offices on the website or ask them at the toll-free helpline, 0800-601011.
• Go to the SASSA office. If you face problems visiting the office because of age, disease, or disability, you can get a trusted family member or friend to apply.
• Collect the War Veterans Grant application form from the SASSA office. The forms are generally available at the front table or from the appointed officer.
• Fill out the form as instructed. If you need help, SASSA officers can help you complete the form.
• Submit the documents together with your completed form. Ensure you have proof of war service, your 13-digit bar-coded ID, proof of disability, and other relevant documents as specified in the application requirements.
• You will now undergo an interview with a SASSA officer to talk about your application. The officer may ask questions related to your eligibility and verify your situation.
• After the application and interview, you’ll receive a dated stamp receipt. This receipt proves your application, even if you aren’t approved for the grant.

Processing Time to Get SASSA-Approved War Veterans Grant

After applying for the SASSA War Veterans Grant, it takes around 3 months for them to check the whole thing and give you an answer. If your application is approved, they’ll start giving you the funds from when you submitted it.

If, for various reasons, they can’t approve your application, they’ll send you a letter explaining why. But don’t worry. You can ask them to reconsider (that is known as an appeal). However, you must do it within 90 days of receiving the news. Contact the Ministry of Social Development, and they’ll check things out. If they agree with you, you’ll start getting your grant. If not, they’ll tell you why. Always watch for updates and letters from SASSA to stay on top.

SASSA War Veterans Grant Status Check

Once you’ve applied for the SASSA War Veterans Grant, you must keep updated on your application status. That will show how far along your application has gone and whether it is approved, declined, or in consideration. Here’s how you could do it:

• SASSA Website. Visit the official SASSA website and fill in the required information to check the application status. Follow the instructions.
• Moya APP. If you are using a smartphone, install the Moya app. It is a data-free method to check your status conveniently.
• SMS or WhatsApp. Send a message with your ID number to SASSA’s number, 082-046-8553, via SMS or WhatsApp. They will send updates on your grant’s status.
• Toll-Free Number. Call SASSA at their toll-free number, 0800-601011, and inquire about your War Veterans Grant status.

SASSA War Veterans Grant Application Pending

If your SASSA War Veterans Grant application indicates a pending status, the processing isn’t complete yet. Here are a couple of reasons why your application is still on pending status after a long time:

• SASSA might be in the process of verifying the documents you submitted. Ensure you provide all essential files and wait for them to finish analyzing them.
• Sometimes, SASSA may also want more significant details or clarification. If that is the case, they’ll contact you through the contact information you provided on your application.
• If there is a significant increase in applications, it would take time to process all of them. Be patient, as SASSA is working to attend to each application.
• SASSA might be reviewing your application to ensure accuracy and eligibility. This is a usual part of their method.

SASSA Status Declined for War Veterans Grant

If your SASSA War Veterans Grant application has been declined, do not worry; you can address the situation. But before that, you need to understand why your application was declined. Here are several reasons:

• Your application may have been declined because of a lack of or incomplete documentation. Ensure that you’ve submitted all the required documents.
• Your application may only be accepted if you meet the eligibility criteria, like age restrictions, participation in wars, or the Means Test of thresholds.
• Any mistakes or omissions in the data supplied may lead to a decline. Ensure that all information is correct and matches the relevant files.
• Please comply with the Means Test requirements, including profits and asset thresholds, to avoid a declined application.

Here’s what to do when you find out that your application has not been approved:

• SASSA will send you a letter explaining the reasons for the decline. Carefully review this letter to understand the specific issues.
• If you believe the decline is unjustified, you can appeal the decision. Start the appeal process within 90 days of receiving the notification.
• Reach out to SASSA for clarification on the reasons for the decline. They may provide additional information and guidance on the next steps.
• Provide the necessary details if the decline is due to missing information or discrepancies. This involves additional documents or clarifying information.

Payment Options to Receive Your War Veterans Grant

SASSA offers different methods for the beneficiaries to receive their grant funds. They want to ensure that the people have easy access to their grant money, however, and wherever they are. Here are the methods of receiving your money from the War Veterans Grant:

• Direct deposit to the bank account. Secure and hassle-free option. Payments are deposited directly into your bank account.
• Cash Withdrawal at Retail Outlets. Accessible option allowing you to withdraw cash. Partnered retail outlets include Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar.
• Payments are made through institutions. For those living in specific institutions. Grant payments are arranged through the institution.

Want to change the payment method? Visit the SASSA office, complete the required form, and provide updated information. Your next grant payment will be sent to your newly chosen payment method.

SASSA War Veterans Grant Balance Check

It is standard that the beneficiary wants to check their SASSA account balance. Beneficiaries check the account balance to see if the grant’s monthly payment came through. SASSA has ensured that you can quickly check your balance using multiple methods. Here are different ways to check your SASSA War Veterans Grant Balance:

• USSD Code. Dial 1203210# or 12069277# on your cellphone. Follow the instructions further to access your grant balance information.
• ATM. Visit any ATM. Insert your SASSA card and follow the on-screen instructions. Check your grant balance.
• WhatsApp. Message the SASSA WhatsApp number at 082 046 8553. Follow the instructions to inquire about your grant balance.
• SASSA Call Center. Dial the toll-free SASSA call center number at 0800 601 011. Speak with the officer and request information about your grant balance. They will tell you immediately after receiving security information or help you find your account balance.

Restoration of the Grant

If your War Veterans Grant lapses due to non-collection for 3 consecutive months or faces suspension for reasons like change in circumstances, false information, or non-cooperation during your application’s evaluation, there is a process for restoration.

To start the restoration process, if you believe the suspension is in error, submit an appeal to SASSA within 90 days of suspension, clearly stating your case. If the appeal is denied, escalate the matter to the Ministry of Social Development in the same time frame (within those 90 days).

The Ministry will assess your appeal and make a decision. If successful, SASSA will decide to lift the suspension, and you’ll resume receiving grant payments. A written explanation of the decision will be provided in cases of denial.

Reasons for Lapsing of War Veterans Grant

Your War Veterans Grant may lapse because of various situations.  You should know these reasons and avoid them as much as possible because restoration takes time. Here are common reasons why your War Veterans Grant might lapse without prior notice:

• If you fail to collect your supply bills for three consecutive months.
• If you are out of the country for more than ninety days without informing SASSA
• If you are admitted to a government-funded facility, health facility, or jail.
• If your income and assets improve, you no longer qualify for the grant based on the means test criteria.
• If you are in a state-contracted care institution, your social grant can be reduced to 25% of the maximum grant amount. This adjustment begins in the fourth month after admission and returns to the maximum amount upon discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The SASSA War Veterans Grant is here to support those who served in essential wars. All you need to remember while applying for it is to pass the eligibility criteria and gather all the required documents. Stay updated by checking your grant’s status and balance through various means. If you have any questions about the process, SASSA can assist. You can contact them using different methods, like their toll-free helpline, Moya app, WhatsApp, etc.

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