The South African Social Security Agency is giving funds to disabled citizens who live below the poverty line. The purpose of the SASSA disability grant is to provide handicapped people with a sufficient amount of money so they can manage their basic household expenses. It also enables them to afford the fundamental commodities during the financial crisis.
The SASSA grant is only for disabled people who cannot make money, and it has proper eligibility criteria, requires substantial documents to apply, and a long application process. If you want to apply for the SASSA grant, come with me to see the application process. The majority of people commit heinous mistakes while applying for a SASSA disability grant, but if you follow my instructions, you may prevent these issues.
SASSA Disability Grant
Physically disabled people cannot work in the field, and if their disability occurs at an older age, their families also try to avoid supporting these individuals. Illness, accidents, or emotional incidents can cause physical disability. The sufferer is not responsible for his condition, so we cannot blame the victim. Instead, the government helps such individuals who cannot make bread and butter due to mental or physical disability via SASSA monthly grant.
The amount of the grant may vary based on the area from where you apply, but the average amount is R2090 per month. In this amount, an individual can repair the supporting devices or afford the maintenance of assistive technology like an electric wheelchair. Additionally, he can manage the monthly budget and can afford the basic commodities.
Eligibility Criteria
When it comes to the bursary or assistance program, people rush to apply to get financial aid and do not consider the importance of eligibility criteria. If the authorities reject their applications, they protest or accuse the department of favoritism.
Instead of indulging in these activities, you should carefully review the eligibility criteria and then apply for a SASSA disability grant. It will save you precious time and lower the department’s workload.
Medical Assessment
The medical assessment is the most important part of the SASSA disability grant application; it verifies whether the applicant is handicapped or faking a disability. Basically, hundreds of cases are reported in which people fake their disability to get financial aid from public institutions, which is not acceptable at any cost. Therefore, medical assessment is a compulsory part of the SASSA disability criteria.
Types of Disabilities
Permanent Disability
If an applicant’s disability is severe and lasts more than a year, he is able to apply for a permanent SASSA disability grant. Here, permanent does not mean that the grant will be received forever, but it states that the grant will be given to the applicant over a year as long as the applicant’s disability lasts.
Temporary Disability
If an applicant’s disability lasts more than 6 months but not over a year, it is considered as a temporary disability. In such conditions, the applicant recovers overtime and can work in the field to make bread and butter. Temporarily disabled people will receive a grant for 6 months.
Medical Certificate
Applicants are required to visit the hospital for a medical assessment from a registered and experienced medical professional. The professional will assess the disability and provide a report to the applicant that states whether the disability is permanent or temporary. Additionally, the medical expert will also give the applicant a certificate that his disability is severe and he cannot work in the field; therefore, SASSA should give him a money grant.
Other Eligibility Rules
- An applicant must be a citizen of South Africa.
- An applicant must be a resident of South Africa.
- An applicant is between 19 and 59 years old.
- An applicant must not receive any other financial support from an institution.
- An applicant must not receive care in a state station.
- An applicant has proof of physical, mental, intellectual, and sensory disability with a certificate from a registered practitioner.
- The disability of an applicant must prevent him from obtaining employment.
- An applicant must not earn above the income threshold.
- An applicant must not have assets more than the assets threshold.
SASSA Disability Grant Means Test
The SASSA means test determines whether the applicant qualifies for a grant by calculating the total amount he earns and the assets he possesses. When you provide your financial information to the SASSA via the application, it conducts the means test and determines your eligibility. There are two parts of the means test: income threshold and asset threshold.
Income Threshold
SASSA has set a certain income; if an applicant earns more than the income threshold, he does not qualify for the SASSA grant. The income threshold varies between single and married persons as the single person does not have expenses similar to the married applicant. The single-person income threshold is R96,840 per year, while the married-person income threshold is R193,680 per year.
Assets Threshold
SASSA does not support the people who own millions of rands worth of real estate and have low incomes. It determines your assets threshold via the means test and decides whether you qualify for the SASSA disability grant. The single person’s assets worth must not exceed R1,372,800, while the married person’s asset worth is R2,745,600.
Required Documents
The majority of people carry with them limited documents, such as their ID numbers and disability proof, while there are other documents required in the SASSA office. I advise everyone in my circle to carry all the documents with them because you may need to show any paper if a problem occurs. You should carry these documents to the SASSA office.
- You must provide the original ID document.
- You must provide proof of marital status. (If married)
- You must provide proof of residence.
- You must provide the bank statement, which should not be older than 3 months.
- You must provide proof of assets.
- You must attach the report and certificate by a registered medical professional that verifies your medical disability.
How To Apply For The SASSA DIsability Grant?
The application procedure is not as complex as other SASSA grants, such as war veteran or older person financial aid grants. Usually, people apply via the SASSA website, but if you are physically disabled, you must visit the office at least once. The purpose of the call is to verify the disability and make sure that the applicant is unable to obtain employment.
It is possible that the officer in the SASSA conducts a short interview or cross-questioning to understand your condition. He may ask about the reasons for disability, such as how it happened, what medical experts claim, and how you feel about it.
The officer will give you an application form to obtain all the basic information about the applicant. You need to fill out the form by providing all the essential details, such as your name, date of birth, place of birth, mobile number, banking details, and income details. The officer will ask you to fill out the form and then attach the required documents.
You may need to certify certain documents, but it is unnecessary in some cities and provinces. If your disability is severe and you cannot visit the office monthly to take money or the receipt, you can register your spouse, child, or a member of your family known as a caregiver who can take the money on your behalf.
Once you submit the application, you will receive a reference number of the application to trace the progress. You can check the SASSA application status via the website. Keep the reference number safe and trace your application; you may need to show it in order to get the amount.
Processing Time
Normally, SASSA approves or disapproves your application within 15 days after the submission. However, it is possible that the application is pending due to the extreme workload, as thousands of applications are processed every month. So, you should trace the progress for 30 days and reapply if the application is disapproved.
How To Check SASSA Disability Grant Application Status?
You should check the application status daily to see the progress. Viewing application status is not complex, but if you are unfamiliar with technology, it may take time. However, I have divided the entire procedure into steps, following the instructions to check the status.
Step 1: Go to SASSA’s website via the link provided below.
Link: https://www.sassa-status.co.za/
Step 2: Enter the ID number of the application in the upper empty bar.
Step 3: Enter the mobile number you registered during the application process in the lower empty bar.
Step 4: Click the “Submit” button, and it will take you to the main page.
Types Of SASSA Statuses
Normally, people check the status and are unable to understand its meaning. You should know that there can be 3 to 4 types of statuses, such as pending, declined or approved. Each status conveys a short message to the applicant.
- Approved: It indicates that you qualify for the disability grant.
- Pending: It indicates that your application is under process, and results will be shown soon.
- Declines: It indicates that the SASSA has rejected the application due to any reason.
What If My SASSA Disability Application Is Rejected?
People frequently ask the question of what if their applications are denied or rejected by the SASSA authorities. It is possible that you qualify for the SASSA grant, but the authorities have rejected your application. In such conditions, you can reapply for the grant or appeal for reconsideration.
The reapplication process is similar to the initial application procedure, but in this, you need to explain that the department has committed a mistake. It is possible that your application is rejected due to your mistake; in such situations, you should edit the application and resubmit it.
You need to visit the SASSA nearest office to edit and resubmit or reapply. You can contact the SASSA via the helpline, or communicate your issue through email. In case the SASSA department does not sort out your issue, you can appeal to the Ministry of Social Development.
Can I Apply for an Older Person With a Disability Grant?
The majority of older people ask the question of whether they can apply for a disability and the older person’s grant at the same time. Basically, the purpose of both SASSA disability and older person grants is to provide financial assistance to people who cannot obtain employment. Therefore, SASSA limits the options for its applicants.
An applicant cannot apply for the disability grant if he is taking an older person grant, if you qualify for both disability and older person grants, you can apply for one. Let’s say you are disabled and recently turned 60 years old. While you are currently taking a disability grant, you can apply for an older person grant if you cancel the previous one.
On the other hand, if you are an older person and unfortunately encounter a physical disability and decide to apply for the disability grant because you think you qualify for both grants. In this case you need to cancel the older person’s grant before you apply for the disability grant; otherwise, your application will be rejected.
FAQs
How much is disability allowance in South Africa?
The disability allowance granted by SASSA increases every year. The 2024 disability grant allowance is R2090 per month.
How do I check my SASSA disability?
Go to the SASSA status check website and enter the application and phone numbers. Submit the details, and it will show you the disability application status.
What are the SASSA pay dates for 2024?
The pay dates for 2024 may vary based on the economic conditions. However, the next month’s pay date is Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Final Thoughts
SASSA is not only for the people who actively contribute to society, such as war veterans, retired, and older persons, but it is also for the people who are unable to pay back society due to their physical disability. The purpose of the SASSA physical disability grant is to provide handicapped citizens with an amount so they can manage their monthly expenses.
If you are unable to make bread and butter for your family or suffering from food destitution, you do not need to face it anymore. Apply for the SASSA grant for disabled people with the help of the procedure I have mentioned above and ease your life. I hope this information will help you in the future; thank you.
