SASSA Disability Grant – Application & Eligibility Details

The Disability Grant is a vital social grant from SASSA that provides financial aid to South Africans with disabilities that impact their ability to work and support themselves.

What is the Disability Grant?

• Monthly cash payment from SASSA to persons with disabilities
• To cover basic living costs and assist with additional disability-related costs
• For people aged 18-59 years with medically confirmed permanent or temporary disabilities
• The disability must be severe enough to prevent the recipient from working
• Doctor’s assessment and medical reports are required to confirm disability
• Means test used to determine income eligibility
• Almost 1 million South Africans receive the Disability Grant

Eligibility Criteria for the Disability Grant

To qualify for the Disability Grant, applicants must:

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with valid papers
• Be a resident of South Africa
• Be aged between 18 and 59 years old
• Have a confirmed permanent or temporary disability
• Submit a valid medical/clinical assessment report from a medical professional like a doctor, physiotherapist, audiologist, etc. confirming disability
• The disability must be severe enough to prevent working for at least 6 months
• Pass a means test for income levels below the set threshold
• Not receive another social grant for yourself
• Not being cared for in a state institution

How to Apply for the Disability Grant

Eligible disabled individuals can apply in two ways:

Online Application

• Visit the SASSA website and register on the portal
• Capture your personal, disability, financial, and contact details
• Upload a copy of the medical assessment report, ID, proof of residence, etc.
• Submit the completed online Disability Grant application

In-Person Application

• Visit your nearest SASSA regional office and request an application form
• Complete the form in full and submit it along with your medical assessment report, ID copies, and other supporting documents
• SASSA agent captures details and initiates the assessment process
• Return on the specified date for a status update and to provide any further details

Note applicants must provide accurate personal details. Do not falsify information as this constitutes fraud.

Disability Grant Documentation Needed

Applicants need to submit the following valid documentation when applying:

• Green barcoded ID book or Smart ID card as proof of identity and age
• Confirmation of residential address
• Recent bank statement if the grant is to be deposited
• Comprehensive medical assessment report confirming disability
• Signed doctor’s summary report providing clinical details
• Valid reports and assessments confirming mental disability if applicable

Disability Grant Medical Assessment Report

A crucial part of the Disability Grant application is the detailed medical assessment report. This must:

• Be completed by a registered medical professional like a doctor, physiotherapist, optometrist, etc.
• Confirm precise details of the disability such as type, severity, limitations caused, etc.
• Include relevant medical history, diagnosis results, testing data, and prognosis details
• Specify which everyday activities the disability prevents the applicant from performing
• Indicate the expected minimum duration the disability will persist before recovery or re-evaluation
• The report cannot be outdated. SASSA requires assessments conducted within the past 3 months.

Income and Assets Requirements for Disability Grant

Disability Grant Amount

• R2,180 per approved applicant per month from April 2024
• Uniform amount nationwide does not vary geographically
• Recipients may qualify for a Grant-In-Aid if they require a caregiver
• Monthly Disability Grant amount increases slightly annually in line with inflation

The funds aim to cover basic living costs and disability-related healthcare needs and support tools.

How the Disability Grant is Paid Out?

SASSA distributes the Disability Grant in a few ways each month:

• Direct deposit into the beneficiary’s personal bank account
• Loaded onto a SASSA card used to withdraw cash, make purchases, etc.
• Cash payouts at designated pay points like post offices and retailers
• Money transfers via services like Mukuru where funds can be collected

Recipients should provide their own safe bank account details where possible for secure monthly grant deposits.

Disability Grant Payment Dates

• Disability Grants are paid after Older Persons Grants each month.
• Payments commence on the 3rd day of each month unless the 3rd falls on a weekend or public holiday.
• Recipients then get 5 working days from the payment start date to collect their monthly disability grant.
• For example, if the 3rd is a Saturday, payouts start on Monday the 5th and until Friday the 9th.
• Cash collection points get very busy so recipients should collect early to avoid long queues.

Check Also: SASSA Payment Dates 2024-25

Duration of the Disability Grant

• Temporary Disability Grants are awarded for 6 or 12 months based on the medical assessment report
• For permanent disability, grants are awarded for 1, 2, or 3 years before requiring medical reassessment
• Recipients must return to SASSA before grant expiry to reapply and supply updated medical reports
• If the disability persists beyond 59 years, the recipient can apply for the Older Person’s Grant

Reporting Disability Grant Issues

Recipients should report any Disability Grant issues to SASSA right away:

• Visit the nearest SASSA office and speak to an agent
• Call the SASSA call center helpline for assistance
• Log a query or complaint online via the SASSA Services portal
• Follow up if grant payments are late, delayed, or missed
• Report suspected disability grant corruption or fraud providing details

Promptly reporting irregularities helps SASSA investigate and take appropriate action.

Disability Grant Fraud Consequences

It is illegal to provide false disability information or documents when applying for a Disability Grant or to accept grants unethically. The consequences of fraud include:

• Fines and/or imprisonment up to 12 months
• Having to repay all funds unduly received
• Being barred from receiving grants for 10 years
• A criminal record that negatively impacts job applications
• Prosecution under the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act

Applicants should thus take extreme care to provide accurate details to avoid facing criminal penalties.

FAQs about SASSA Disability Grant

Conclusion

The Disability Grant provides crucial financial support to help recipients with disabilities cover their basic needs. It caters to the needs of thousands of people and is easy to accessible to all the people in nearby locations.