Who Can Apply

To receive a SASSA grant you must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee, and you must be living in South Africa. You cannot receive a grant if you are being cared for in a state institution, and for most grants you cannot already be receiving another social grant for yourself.

Most SASSA grants are also means-tested — SASSA assesses your income and the value of your assets, with different limits for single and married applicants, and those limits differ from grant to grant. You can see what each grant pays on our SASSA Grant Amounts page.

How to Apply, Step by Step

In person — Go to the SASSA office nearest to where you live with all your documents. A SASSA officer will interview you, help you complete the application form (only you or a SASSA official may fill it in), and tell you whether you qualify. You will be given a dated, stamped receipt — keep it as proof that you applied. If you are too old or too ill to travel, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf with a letter from you and, where needed, a doctor’s note. → Find your nearest SASSA office

Online — For most grants you can apply through the official SASSA Services portal. Note that paper application forms are not available to download — you complete them at the office or apply through the online portal. → Apply on the official SASSA portal

Documents You Need

Bring original documents (or certified copies). The core documents most applicants need are:

• Your 13-digit bar-coded ID or Smart ID card. If you don’t have one, you must complete an affidavit in SASSA’s standard format in front of a Commissioner of Oaths who is not a SASSA official, plus a sworn statement from a reputable person (a councillor, traditional leader, social worker, religious minister or school principal) confirming your name and age.
• Proof of marital status, if applicable.
• Proof of residence.
• Proof of your income and/or dividends, if any.
• Proof of your assets, including the value of any property you own.
• Proof of a private pension, if any.
• Your bank statements for the previous three months.
• If you were employed, your UIF “blue book” or a discharge certificate from your previous employer.
• If your spouse died within the last five years, a copy of the will and the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts, where applicable.

Some grants need extra documents — for example, the Disability Grant requires a medical assessment report, and the Child Support Grant requires the child’s birth certificate. Check the official page for that specific grant before you go.

Cost and How Long It Takes

Applying is completely free — SASSA never charges a fee, and you should never pay anyone to apply or to speed up your application. It can take up to three months to process. If your grant is approved, you are paid from the date you first applied, so the waiting period is backdated.

If Your Application Is Declined

If your application is not approved, SASSA must tell you in writing why. If you disagree, you can appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national Department of Social Development. You must lodge your appeal within 90 days of being told your application was unsuccessful.

Related pages

• SASSA Grant Amounts
• SASSA Grants
• UIF
• Income Tax & Net Pay

⚠️ This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. KnowMyGovt is not affiliated with SASSA nor the South African government. To apply or confirm requirements, use the official SASSA office locator or services.sassa.gov.za.