What are the SASSA Application Criteria? Who can apply for a grant?

Applying for a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant begins with understanding the eligibility requirements for the specific grant you need.

On this page, you’ll find the latest SASSA application criteria for each social grant, including who qualifies and the general eligibility requirements. Understanding these requirements before you apply can help you avoid unnecessary delays and improve your chances of a successful application.

Whether you are applying for an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Grant-in-Aid or War Veterans Grant, SASSA has specific criteria that applicants must meet before their application can be approved.

If you’re unsure which grant you qualify for, use the information below to compare the different SASSA grants and determine which one best matches your circumstances before starting your application.

What are the criteria for SASSA social grants?

To qualify for funding through SASSA, each grant has a specific list of requirements. They are as follows:

Old Person Grant/ Old Age Pension:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugees residing in South Africa
  • Must be a resident of South Africa
  • Must be at least 60 years old
  • The spouse must comply with the means test (if the candidate is married) (read more about the SASSA Means Test here)
  • Must not be maintained/ cared for in a State Institution
  • Must not be receiving any other social grant
  • Apply for the Old Persons Grant here

Disability Grant:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugees residing in South Africa
  • Must be a resident of South Africa
  • Must be 18 to 59 years old
  • Must submit proof of disability (medical assessment must be completed by a state-appointed doctor approved by SASSA)
  • Medical assessment must be no older than 3 months when applying for the grant
  • The spouse must comply with the means test (if the candidate is married) (read more about the SASSA Means Test here)
  • Must not be maintained/ cared for in a State Institution
  • Must not be receiving any other social grant
  • Apply for the Disability Grant here

War Veterans Grant:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugees residing in South Africa
  • Must be a resident of South Africa
  • Must be at least 60 years old OR must be disabled
  • Must have served in World War 2 or The Korean War
  • The spouse must comply with the means test (if the candidate is married) (read more about the SASSA Means Test here)
  • Must not be maintained/ cared for in a State Institution
  • Must not be receiving any other social grant
  • Apply for the War Veteran’s Grant here

Foster Child Grant:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugees residing in South Africa
  • Must be a resident of South Africa
  • Must be able to provide a court order stipulating the foster care status
  • The child must be remaining in the care of the foster parent(s)
  • Apply for the Foster Child Grant here

Care Dependency Grant:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugees residing in South Africa
  • Candidate and child must be residents of South Africa
  • The child must be under 18 years old
  • The candidate must be the primary caregiver of the child(ren)
  • Must comply with the means test- this excludes foster parents (read more about the SASSA Means Test here)
  • The spouse must comply with the means test (if the candidate is married)- this excludes foster parents
  • The care-dependent child(ren) must not be maintained/ cared for in a State Institution
  • It is important to note: the income of foster parents will not be taken into consideration when they apply for this grant for their foster child
  • Apply for the Care Dependency Grant here

Child Support Grant:

  • Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugees residing in South Africa
  • Candidate and child must be residents of South Africa
  • The child must be under 18 years old
  • The candidate must be the primary caregiver of the child(ren)
  • Must comply with the means test (read more about the SASSA Means Test here)
  • The spouse must comply with the means test (if the candidate is married) (read more about the SASSA Means Test here)
  • The child(ren) must not be maintained/ cared for in a State Institution
  • It is important to note:
    • For this grant, the candidate may not apply for more than 6 non-biological children
    • One of the aims of the Child Support grant is to ensure that the children attend adequate schooling. SASSA may request information regarding the child’s educational circumstances where applicable.
  • Apply for the Child Support Grant here

Grant-In-Aid:

  • Must be a recipient of Older Person’s grant/ War Veteran’s grant/ Disability Grant
  • Must require regular attendance by another person owing to your physical/ mental disabilities
  • Must not be maintained/ cared for in a State Institution that receives a subsidy for care/housing of such beneficiary
  • Apply for the Grant-in-aid here

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive two SASSA grants?

It depends on the type of grants involved. In some cases, a person may qualify for more than one SASSA grant if the grants serve different purposes and all eligibility requirements are met. For example, a child may receive a Child Support Grant while their caregiver receives an Older Persons Grant or Disability Grant. However, you cannot receive two grants that provide the same type of financial support for yourself. SASSA assesses each application individually to ensure applicants do not receive duplicate benefits.

Can foreigners apply for SASSA grants?

Some foreign nationals may qualify for certain SASSA grants. In general, South African citizens, permanent residents and recognised refugees living in South Africa can apply if they meet the eligibility requirements for the grant. Temporary visitors and people without the required legal status are generally not eligible. Applicants must provide valid documentation confirming their legal status in South Africa when applying.

Can I apply online?

Yes. SASSA offers online applications for many social grants through its online services platform, allowing eligible applicants to complete part or all of the application process electronically. If an online application is not available for your grant or you need assistance, you can still apply in person at your nearest SASSA office, where staff can help you complete the required forms.

How long does approval take?

Most SASSA grant applications are processed within 90 days, although some applications may be finalised sooner depending on the type of grant and whether all required documents have been submitted. During the assessment process, SASSA verifies your information and confirms that you meet the qualifying criteria. If your application is approved, payments are generally made from the date you became eligible according to SASSA’s policies. If your application is declined, you will receive a written explanation and may have the option to request a review or appeal the decision.

Can I apply without a bank account?

Yes. Having a bank account is not a requirement to apply for a SASSA grant. During the application process, you can choose your preferred payment method. If you do not have a personal bank account, SASSA can arrange an alternative payment option, subject to the payment methods available in your area. If you later open a bank account, you can request that your grant payments be deposited into it.

Can someone apply on my behalf?

Yes. If you are unable to visit a SASSA office because of illness, disability or another valid reason, a trusted person may apply on your behalf. The representative must provide the necessary supporting documents and any authorisation required by SASSA. In some cases, SASSA may also arrange for a home visit to assist applicants who cannot travel to an office.

What happens if my circumstances change?

You should inform SASSA as soon as possible if there is a significant change in your personal or financial circumstances. Changes such as a new address, updated banking details, changes in income, marriage, divorce, or the death of a beneficiary may affect your eligibility or the amount you receive. Keeping your information up to date helps prevent payment delays, overpayments or interruptions to your grant.

Related Pages

  • After you have applied for a SASSA grant, you will need to check when your payment will be made each month. Visit our SASSA Payment Dates page to check when the next payment date will be.
  • If you applied for the SRD grant, you will need to check your status each month to see if your grant has been processed and is successful. Visit our SASSA Status Check page to see the status of your R370 grant.
  • If your grant application was denied, but you feel that you do meet the criteria and you have possibly been declined by mistake, you may submit an appeal to have your grant application reassessed. Visit our SASSA Grant Appeal page to find out how to submit an appeal.

The page was last updated in July 2026.