SASSA Disability Grant – How to Apply, Eligibility, and Benefits. The South African Social Security Agency provides disability grants which are specifically designed to grant some financial aid to the person with mental or physical disability. These are made for those who can not work for more than 6 months due to their disability.
These disability grants depend on their medical assessment, which determines whether you are eligible for temporary grants or permanent grants. The temporary grants last for a 6 to 12-month period, and permanent is last for more than a year
There are two types of disability grants, and the medical assessment will determine if you are eligible for a temporary or permanent grant:
Permanent Disability Grant:
If your disability lasts more than a year, you may be eligible for a permanent disability grant. But keep in mind that “permanent” in this context does not mean “forever.” It means you’ll get the grant payment over a year as long as your disability lasts.
Temporary Disability Grant:
If your disability lasts for a period of at least 6 months but not more than 12 months, you will be given a temporary disability grant. It can be renewed if the disability still prevents you from the work.
Key Factors for the SASSA Disability Grant Eligibility Criteria:
Before applying for the disability grant, you should meet the following eligibility criteria:
What is the SASSA Disability Grant Means Test?
The means test is used to evaluate the financial status, including income, assets, and other financial factors of the applicants, to ensure that only deserving individuals receive the grant. As of 1 April 2023, there are two main thresholds:
Each grant type has different criteria for its means test to evaluate financial eligibility.
How much is the SASSA Disability Grant Amount?
According to the latest updates of 1 April 2024, the monthly amount for disability grant is R2 180 per month (per person). The value of disability grant is calculated on a sliding scale, meaning that people with the lowest private income will receive the highest grant amount. This is because the grant is meant to provide financial assistance to disabled persons who have a low income. As the private income of the grant’s applicant increases, the grant amount will be decreased.
The grant amount will increase to R2,090 per person per month from 1 October 2024.
How much does that Disability Grant Cost?
Applying for a SASSA disability grant is free of cost, and there is no service fee.
Procedure to Apply for the SASSA Disability Grant
To apply for a disability grant, the first step is to undergo a medical examination by a practitioner appointed by the state. The SASSA-approved practitioner will diagnose your medical condition to determine if you are severely disabled and eligible for a disability grant. In addition, they will confirm if a temporary or permanent disability grant is suitable for your circumstances.
Medical practitioner will only assess your condition. SASSA holds the authority to make the final decision on awarding the grant because SASSA also takes other factors into account, such as your financial condition and ability to care for yourself.
Once the medical assessment completed, you can apply for SASSA disability grant in your nearest SASSA office branch by filling out their application form. You can also apply online by following the instructions on applying online through the SASSA services website.
If you can’t apply yourself due to severe disability issues, you may have a trusted family member or a friend to apply on your behalf. The person submitting the application on your behalf should carry a letter from you and a note from a doctor clarifying why you are unable to visit the SASSA office on your own.
The application forms are available at SASSA offices and should be completed in the presence of the SASSA officer. You can fill out the application yourself. In case you find it hard to fill it out yourself, then the officer will be here to help you in completing the application form. They will also take your interview (or from your appointed person). After the interview, they will inform you if you qualify for the grant.
After completing the application and interview, you will also receive the dated stamp receipt with the SASSA officer name who assisted you in the application and the reference number of your application. Even if you are not qualified, you need to keep this receipt as proof of application.
Required Documents to Apply for Disability Grant
You must take the following documents (original or certified copies) along with you to the SASSA office when applying for Disability Grant:
Processing Time for the Application of the SASSA Disability Grant
It usually takes about 3 months to process applications for the disability grant. The payments start after the approval of your application. Once the application is processed and your grant is approved, you will receive all the payments from the date you submitted your application. In case of application rejection, SASSA will send a letter with an explanation that why you’re not approved for the grant.
What should you do if your SASSA Disability Grant application is denied?
If your grant application is declined but you believe that the decision was made in error, you can request the SASSA to reconsider your application. If the reconsideration request is also denied, but you still disagree with the decision of SASSA, you have the right to appeal the decision of SASSA to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. The appeal must be filed within 90 days from the day the application is submitted.
The Ministry of Social Development will review your appeal to make a decision. If they agree with you, they will overturn the SASSA’s decision, and you will start receiving your grant payments. In case your appeal is rejected, you will receive a written explanation outlining the decision made.
Understanding the SASSA Disability Grant Payment Process
Once your disability grant is approved, you will start receiving payments from the date you applied. SASSA releases the payment schedule every month as they don’t have any fixed dates.
SASSA will pay you the grant payments through the following three methods (You need to opt for one):
If you want to receive your grant payments through a bank account, you will need to complete a Consent Form for Bank Payment of SASSA Grant and submit each of the following documents.
You can change your bank account or payment method anytime by filling out a form in the welfare office. However, the payments will be received through the new payment method from the following month after the verification is completed.
If you cannot collect grants yourself due to being too old, you can nominate someone to collect payments on your behalf.
SASSA Disability Grant Balance Check
The SASSA balance check service allows you to check the remaining balance of your grant. By checking your balance, you can stay updated with your funds to manage your finances and make informed decisions about your grant money. After your disability grant application is approved and you start receiving grant payments, you may need to check your balance regularly by following methods:
SASSA Disability Grant Reviews
SASSA reserves the right to conduct a review of your grant, and it is based on the income you declared during the application process. The reviews are conducted to ensure that you still meet the means test criteria of the grant and that your circumstances are not improved yet. It is also to verify if you are still alive. To make the review process easier, you should always keep your application up to date whenever your circumstances change.
SASSA will send you a written notice before the three months of review or the deadline to submit your life certificate (proof that you are still alive). The written statement will also explain the review’s date, time and location.
For individuals who receive their grant through a bank, institution, or agent, you must annually submit the life certificate to the SASSA office. If you are bedridden, SASSA officials will visit your home to conduct the review. Upon the conclusion of your review, you will obtain a compliance receipt.
The review process for refugee applicants will be initiated when their refugee status reaches its expiration.
Grant Suspension Reasons
The following reasons may lead to the grant suspension:
Restoration of the Grant
If you believe that your grant was suspended in error or if you have a disagreement with SASSA’s decision, you have the option to submit an appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development within 90 days of the suspension.
Reasons for Lapsing of the Disability Grant
Your disability grant will lapse if one of the following conditions occurs:
Your grant amount will be reduced to 25% of your total if you are admitted to the state station for longer than four months. Your grant will be reinitiated to the maximum amount immediately upon your discharge.
Responsibilities of the Beneficiaries
As a SASSA grant holder, you also need to fulfill some responsibilities:
You must keep the SASSA updated in the above scenarios to avoid any interruption or suspension in your grants, as SASSA sends notices and updates to the address you submitted in the application. If your address or contact information is updated and you did not inform the SASSA, it may cause the suspension of your grants, as SASSA will not be able to contact you.
Originally posted 2024-06-17 09:12:41.