SASSA Disability Grant | Eligibility, Application, and Process

SASSA Disability Grant is a financial support program for persons who are unable to assist them. The South African government offers this disability grant to disabled people to provide them with a proper source of income to manage their living expenses. Applicants need to qualify for this grant accordin to their financial condition and disability.

Be mindful that SASSA SRD grant are subject to change. So, it is crucial to check SASSA and share your latest data with SASSA as your circumstances change. The grant is important to give a fixed bread and butter. If you are intrested in learning more about SASSA disability grant application, eligibility, and more keep on reading.

Types of Disability Grant

There are two different classes of this grant: permanent and temporary. Any person who qualifies for a disability Grant will undergo a medical assessment, which determines whether you are eligible for a permanent or temporary disability grant. 

Temporary Grant

The person whose disability period will last 6-12 months is considered a temporary disability grant. You can get the benefit of this grant after the disability period if you are enabled to do any work. 

Permanent Grant

A permanent disability grant does not mean it is forever. It means if your disability lasts for more than one year, you will get this grant. You can get the benefits of this grant until your disability ends. 

Who Qualifies For Sassa Old Age Grant?

The person who meets the following criteria will qualify for this SASSA SRD grant:

• You must be a permanent South African Citizen or recognized refugee.
• I am living in South Africa.
• Be between the ages of 19 and 59
• Have an ID document.
• I will not be receiving any other personal social grant.
• Not receiving care in a state institution.
• Meet the means test requirements (you and your spouse, if married)
• If you are unfit to work due to disability (mentally or physically) for more than six months
• Due to disablement preventing you from working for at least six months but no more than 12 months, you may be eligible for a temporary disability grant.
• If you are not working because of being unfit for more than twelve months, you may be qualified for a permanent disability grant.
• You must bring any previous medical records and reports to your disability grant application and assessment.
• A doctor appointed by the state will perform a medical evaluation to assess the level of your disability.
• Single applicants must have an annual income of less than R86 280 (R7 190 per month). For married applicants, the combined annual income of you and your spouse must be less than R172 560 (R14 380 per month).
• Single applicants must have total assets worth less than R1 227 600. If you are married, the total assets owned by you and your spouse must be worth less than R2 455 200.

Mean Test for Disability Grant 

The means test is applied to assess a person’s financial situation, including their assets, income, and other financial factors, to ensure that only those who qualify receive the grant. There are two mean tests mentioned below:

Asset Test

• If a single person has an asset that is worth more than R1 372 800 is not eligible for this grant.
• For a married couple, the worth of assets more than R2 745 600 is not acceptable.

Income Test

• The yearly earnings of a single person should not cross R96 840. Otherwise, you will not qualify for this grant.
• For a married couple, not more than R193 680 will be accepted. 

How Much Is Sassa Disability Grant?

The amount of the SASSA Disability Grant can change over time and may be adjusted by the South African government in response to economic conditions and inflation. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the monthly grant amount for disability was approximately 1,890 South African Rand (ZAR).

However, please note that grant amounts can be subject to change due to government policies and economic factors. It’s crucial to verify the current grant amount by contacting the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) or visiting their official website for the most up-to-date information on the Disability Grant payment.

What is the Procedure to Apply for SASSA Disability Grant

To submit a grant application for people with disabilities, you must go through a medical test. The doctor will diagnose your medical test to determine whether you are eligible for a disability grant or not. Also, the doctor will tell you what sort of disability grant is right for you, temporary or permanent.

Medical practitioners can only assess your condition. SASSA will check your financial situation, medical condition, and ability to care for yourself. After verifying, SASSA will decide whether you are eligible for this grant or not. 

After your medical test, go to the nearby SASSA office and fill out an application form to apply for an SASSA disability grant. You can also apply online by following the instructions on the SASSA services website.

If you cannot apply for a disability grant yourself due to severe disability, a family member or friend you trust may apply on your behalf. Anyone applying for a disability grant on behalf of another person must bring a letter from that person and a note from a doctor to explain why that person can not visit the SASSA office themselves.

When you go to the SASSA office to fill out an application form, there is an SASSA Officer you have to fill out the form in his presence. SASSA officers will be there to assist you if you need any help while filling out the application. Also, that officer will take you to an interview about your medical condition to verify that you are eligible for this grant. 

After completing the application and interview, you will receive a stamped receipt with the name of the SASSA officer who assisted you. Keep this receipt even if you are not eligible for the grant, as it is proof of application.

What Documents are Required to Apply for an SASSA Disability Grant?

To apply for a SASSA Disability Grant, you will need to provide the following information that will support your application. The required documents may include:

Identity Document (ID): 

Submit your South African ID card or, in the case of non-South African citizens, submit a valid passport.

Medical Certificate: 

A medical certificate from a registered medical healthcare professional is crucial. This certificate should state the nature and extent of your disability. Submit a document with your medical information. 

Bank Statement: 

You will need a recent bank statement in your name. This is necessary for the grant to be paid into your bank account.

Proof of Income and Assets: 

You need to provide your financial situation, including any other sources of income or assets you own. SASSA uses this information to assess your eligibility.

Proof of Residence:

You may need to provide proof of your current address, such as a utility bill or a formal letter from a local authority.

Marriage Certificate (if applicable): 

If you are married, put forward your marriage certificate with your application.

Death Certificate (if applicable):

If you are a widow or widower applying for the grant, you may need to provide the death certificate of your spouse.

It is important to note that the specific requirements and documentation for applying for a disability grant can change over time. It is always best to check with the SASSA or visit their website for the most up-to-date information. You can also consult with SASSA or a local SASSA office for personalized guidance on your application.

SASSA Disability Grant Application Processing Time

The processing time for a SASSA Disability Grant application can vary, and the duration may depend on several factors. It can take several weeks to a few months for SASSA to process and approve a disability grant application. The following factors can influence the specific processing time:

Completeness of Application: 

The application process can be expedited if your application is complete, all required documents are submitted, and the information is accurate.

Verification of Information: 

SASSA will need to verify your medical condition and financial situation. This verification process can take some time.

Backlog and Workload: 

The processing time can be affected by the volume of applications being processed at a particular time. SASSA offices may experience backlogs during busy periods.

Medical Assessments: 

SASSA involves some medical professionals to assess the medical situation of any applicant.

Local Office Procedures: 

The processing time can vary depending on the specific SASSA office you apply through, as local offices may have their procedures and workloads.

Appeals and Follow-Up: 

If your application is denied, you may need to go through an appeals process, which can add additional time to the overall application period.

SASSA Status Check of Disability Grant

To check the status of your SASSA Disability Grant application in South Africa, you can use the following methods:

Online Status Check

• Visit the official SASSA website (https://www.sassa.gov.za/).
• Look for an option like “Check Application Status” or “Track Application” on the website.
• Enter your application reference number or ID number, as well as any other required details.
• Follow the instructions to check the status of your application.

Contact SASSA Helpline

• You can call the SASSA Helpline at 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free) to inquire about the status of your Disability Grant application.
• Make sure to have your application reference number and personal information ready when you call.

Visit a Local SASSA Office

• You can also visit your nearest SASSA office in person to inquire about the status of your application.
• Be sure to bring your application reference number and identification documents.
• SMS Inquiry

What to do when SASSA Disability Grant Denied?

If your SASSA Disability Grant application is denied, there are steps you can take to address the situation and have the decision reviewed or reconsidered:

Review the Denial Letter

When your application is denied, you will receive a letter from SASSA explaining the reasons for the denial. Review this letter to understand why your application was not approved.

Seek Clarification

If the denial letter is not clear or you have questions about the reasons for the denial, consider contacting SASSA for clarification. They may be able to provide extra information on what led to the denial.

Appeal the Decision

If you believe that your application was denied or that the decision was based on incorrect information, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process involves the following steps:

• Request an appeal form from SASSA or download it from their website.
• Complete the appeal form, providing further documentation or evidence to support your case.
• Submit the appeal form and supporting documents to the SASSA office where you applied for the grant.
• Await the outcome of the appeal after checking your SRD status. SASSA will review your case, and a different assessor will reconsider your application.

Legal Assistance

Suppose you encounter challenges during the appeal process or feel that your case is not being assessed. In that case, consider seeking legal support or advice from organizations specializing in social security rights.

Stay Informed

Keep track of your case by documenting all correspondence, application materials, and appeal-related documents. I will help you maintain a clear record of the process.

Patience and Persistence

The appeal process can take time, so be patient and persistent. Continue to follow up with SASSA on the status of your appeal and provide any surplus information requested.

Process of SASSA Disability Grant Payment

The process of SASSA Disability Grant payment in South Africa involves several steps:

Application Submission

The process begins when an eligible individual applies for the SASSA Disability Grant. It includes providing the required documentation and information.

Application Review 

SASSA reviews the application to determine eligibility. They go through your financial information to determine if the applicant meets the income and asset criteria.

Approval or Denial

SASSA will notify the applicant of the decision. If approved, the applicant will be informed of the grant amount and the payment date. If denied, the reasons for denial will be provided, and the applicant may have the option to appeal.

Payment Setup

For approved applications, SASSA will set up the payment process. tThThisvolves verifying the applicant’s bank account details for direct deposit.

Payment Disbursement

Once the payment is set up, SASSA disburses the Disability Grant to the recipient’s designated bank account. Payments are usually made on a monthly basis.

Ongoing Eligibility Review

Recipients of the Disability Grant are subject to periodic eligibility reviews. SASSA may request updated medical information or financial status to ensure that the recipient meets the grant’s criteria.

Appeal Process 

If an applicant’s initial application is denied, they have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process involves providing evidence and documentation to support the case.

Reporting Changes

Disability Grant recipients need to report any changes in their circumstances to SASSA.

Accessing Payment Information

You can check their payment details and history by contacting SASSA from the SASSA office or using the online services SASSA. Some recipients may also receive SMS notifications about their grant payments.

How to Check SASSA Disability Grant Balance?

SASSA Disability Grant is not a straightforward process. But you can try the following methods to get information about your grant balance:

Contact SASSA Directly

You can call the SASSA Helpline at 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free) and inquire about the balance of your Disability Grant. Be prepared to provide your grant reference number or personal information for verification.

Visit a Local SASSA Office

You can visit your nearest SASSA office in person and ask an SASSA official about the balance of your grant. Be sure to bring identification documents and any grant-related paperwork.

Review Correspondence

Check any letters, notices, or SMS messages you’ve received from SASSA. They may contain information about your grant payments and balance.

Bank Statements

Review your bank statements to check for SASSA Disability Grant deposits. The deposit details should provide information about the grant payment amount and frequency.

SASSA Disability Grant Suspension and Restoration

Reasons why your disability grant may be suspended:

• Changes in your circumstances (financial or medical)
• Providing false information or committing fraud
• Not cooperating with a grant review.
• The outcome of a grant review
• A mistake in approving your grant

If you face grant suspension, but you are eligible for this grant, you can rescind the grant by contacting us within 90 days. 

Why Is The SASSA Disability Grant Lapsed?

Your disability grant will expire if:

• You die.
• Your temporary grant period ends.
• You cannot prove that you are alive when asked to do so. Your grant will be reviewed every year to make sure you are still alive.
• You do not collect your grant payments for three months in a row. You can ask to restart your payments, but if it has been more than 90 days, you must apply for a new grant.
• You are admitted to a fully funded government facility, such as a hospital or jail.
• You leave the country for more than 90 days without telling SASSA.
• Your income and assets increase so much that you no longer qualify for the grant based on the means test.

Contact SASSA Disability Grant

For additional queries, reach out to SASSA by using the following channels:

• Call toll-free SASSA this number: 0800 60 10 11
• Contact the head office of SASSA at 012 400 2322
• Use this email [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Increase For Sassa Disability Grant?

The Sassa disability grant increased from R2080 to R2090 per month on 1 October 2023. This is an increase of R10 per month.

How Do I Check My Sassa Disability Balance?

There are two ways to check your Sassa disability balance:

• Online: You can check your balance on the SASSA website or app.
• At a SASSA office: You can go to a SASSA office and ask a staff member to check your balance for you.

Can I Apply For Sassa Disability Online?

Yes, you can apply for a Sassa disability grant online. To do this, you will need to create an account on the SASSA website. Once you have created an account, you can start the application process.

Here are the steps to apply for a Sassa disability grant online:

• Go to the SASSA website and click on “Apply for a grant.”
• Select “Disability Grant”.
• Create an account or log in to your existing account.
• Complete the application form and submit it.

Final Words

The SASSA disability grant is a valuable resource for people with disabilities in South Africa. It helps them to live a more dignified and independent life. The grant is also important for the South African economy, as it helps to reduce poverty and inequality.