About 46% of the South African population now receive grants.
Yet, many people are still unsure about the ins and outs of social grants, especially with regard to upcoming increases.
Here is what you need to know.
Grant for Older Persons
From 1 April 2022, this grant will increase to R1985 from R1890, with a further increase to R1990 from 1 October 2022.
Grants for persons over the age of 75 will increase to R2000 from R1910 in April, and then to R2010 in October.
The applicant:
•Must be a South African citizen / permanent resident;
•Must be a resident in South Africa;
•Must be 60 years or older;
•and spouse must comply with the means test;
•Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution; and
•Must not be in receipt of another social grant for him or herself.
Disability Grant
From 1 April 2022, this grant will increase to R1985 from R1890
The applicant:
•Must be a South African citizen /permanent resident or refugee;
•Must be a resident in South Africa;Submit
•Must be 18 to 59 years of age;
•Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming disability;
•Medical assessment must not be older than 3 months at date of application;
•and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
•Must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution;
•Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of him or herself.
War Veteran’s Grant
From 1 April 2022, this grant will increase to R2005 from R1910.
The applicant:
•Must be a South African citizen/permanent resident
•Must be a resident in South Africa;
•Must be 60 years and over or must be disabled;
•Must have fought in the Second World War or the Korean War;
•and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
•Must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution;
•Must not be in receipt of another Social grant in respect of himself or herself.
Care Dependency Grant
From 1 April 2022, this grant will increase to R1985 from R1890
•The application must be South African citizen or permanent resident;
•The applicant and child must be a resident in South Africa;
•Child must be under 18 years;
•Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming permanent, severe disability;
•Applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test (except for foster parents);
•The care-dependent child/children must not be permanently cared for in a State Institution.
Foster Child Grant
From 1 April 2022, this grant will increase to R1070 from R1050
•The applicant and child must be a resident in South Africa;
•Court order indicating foster care status;
•The foster parent must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
•Child must remain in the care of the foster parent(s).
Child Support Grant
From 1 April 2022, this grant will increase to R480 from R460
•The primary care giver must be a South African citizen or permanent resident;
•Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa;
•Applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/children;
•The child/children must have been born after 31 December 1993;
•The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
•Cannot apply for more than six non-biological children;
•Child cannot be cared for in state institution.
Social Relief of Distress Grant:
This R350 grant has been extended to end March 2023 (for those who qualify).
It is fake news that this grant has been increased to R700.
Social relief of distress is a temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such dire material need that they are unable to meet their or their families’ most basic needs.
In order to qualify for Social Relief of Distress (SRD), the applicant must comply with one or more of the following conditions:
•The applicant is awaiting permanent aid;
•The applicant has been found medically unfit to undertake remunerative work for a period of less than 6 months;
•The breadwinner is deceased and insufficient means are available;
•The applicant has been affected by a disaster, and the specific area has not yet been declared a disaster area; and the applicant has appealed against the suspension of his or her grant;
•The person is not a member of a household that is already receiving social assistance or grant;
•The person is not receiving assistance from any other organisation.
Here are details of some SASSA offices in Cape Town. We all know how terrible the service from SASSA can be, so I cannot be held responsible for how queries are responded to via these details.
•William Herbert Sports Ground, Rosmead Avenue 021 710 9800
•94 Old Klipfontein Road 080 060 1001
•Bellville local office 021 944 7700
•Cape Town, 50 Queen Victoria Street 021 481 9736
•42 Main Road, Eerste River 021 902 8600
•Mitchells Plain 021 312 2358
•Paarl local office 066 304 0669
•Gugulethu Local Office 021 638 5151
You can report grant fraud to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline 0800 701 701.