How to apply for a SASSA Social Grant

How to apply for a SASSA Social Grant | If you are considering applying for a SASSA grant but are not sure how to apply, this article will guide you on how to apply.

1. Apply at your closest SASSA office

To apply for a social grant through SASSA, you will first need to visit your nearest SASSA office and fill in an application form. Find your nearest SASSA office here.

You will need to complete this application form in the presence of SASSA officers who will offer you guidance on what information to fill in and what documents you may require. It is important to note that this application process is completely free.

If you are unable to get to the SASSA office due to medical reasons, you can have a friend or family member give SASSA a letter on your behalf. This letter must include a doctor’s note/ medical certificate explaining why you cannot visit SASSA yourself. SASSA can then arrange for one of their officers to visit your home where you can complete the relevant paperwork.
Check which SASSA grant you qualify for here

2. Bring your relevant documents with you

When applying for a SASSA grant, you must have the following documents with you (if you are missing any of the relevant documentation, it could delay your application as you will need to return to the SASSA office with your documents).

Your ID card or ID book
Proof of income (if you are receiving one)
Medical report/ doctors note (if living with a disability)
Original birth certificates (if you are applying on a child’s behalf)
Court order granting foster status (if you are applying for a foster child)
Your spouse’s ID document (if you are married)
Proof of marriage: marriage certificate, a sworn statement, divorce order, or death certificate of spouse (if you are married)
Affidavit/ statement depicting the income and assets of you and your spouse (if you are married)
3 months’ bank statement of both partners, if you and your spouse are married in the community of property (if you are married)

Should you have documentation that is not available, you may submit an alternative form of the documentation/ affidavit with the relevant missing information.

3. Keep your receipt of the application in a safe place

Once you have completed and handed in your application form, you will be given a receipt as proof that you have submitted your application.

4. Wait for your written notification of the outcome of your application

After your application has been processed, you will then receive written notification of the outcome of your application. This letter will be sent to the address that you provide on your application form and will notify you about whether or not your application has been approved. The letter will usually arrive 3 weeks to 4 months after you have submitted your application.

In some instances, applicants will be notified if their application has been successful the very day they apply, and not require the letter.

5. Decide on your payment method

In the application process, you must state how you would like to get paid. You have the option of either collecting the grant in cash on a designated day at a pay point or getting the money electronically transferred into your banking/ post office account. Whilst it is safer and more convenient to have your grant paid into an account, it does mean that bank charges will most likely be deducted from your received grant amount. You can opt to change your payment method at any time and do so by filling in a form at a relevant SASSA office, however, this change will only be implemented within a month.
Check SASSA payment dates here

When will the grant be paid?

It is important to note that your first grant payment will also include back pay for the time you waited to receive your grant. This back-pay amount is calculated from the first day you applied- if your grant is approved, you will be paid from the date on which you initially applied.

It usually takes about 90 days to process your application. For example, if you applied in May, you will receive your grant payment for May, June, and July. This means you will get paid your August payment as well as the previous 3 months since you applied (May, June and July).