The Grant-in-Aid is not a standalone grant. It is an additional monthly payment for people who already receive the Disability Grant, Older Person's Grant, or War Veteran's Grant but who are unable to look after themselves and need someone to help them full-time. Think of it as SASSA's way of contributing towards the cost of a caregiver: someone who helps with cooking, bathing, dressing, or getting around the house.
It is one of the smaller SASSA grants, but for someone who depends on daily care, it makes a real difference. Here is everything you need to know, updated for the 2026/27 financial year.
Current Payout
R560
per month (to Mar 2026)
From April 2026
R580
+R20 increase confirmed
Processing
Up to 90 days
payments backdated to application
How the Grant-in-Aid Works
This grant is not something you can apply for on its own. You must already be receiving one of three qualifying grants: the Disability Grant, the Older Person's Grant, or the War Veteran's Grant. If you meet that condition and a medical professional confirms you need full-time care, the Grant-in-Aid is added on top of your existing monthly payment.
You can apply for it at the same time as your main grant, or later if your condition worsens. The money is paid together with your main grant in a single combined payment each month. You do not collect it separately.
What You Could Receive in Total (From April 2026)
When the Grant-in-Aid is combined with your qualifying grant, here is the total monthly amount you would receive.
Disability Grant
+ Grant-in-Aid
R2,980
R2,400 + R580/month
Older Person's (60-74)
+ Grant-in-Aid
R2,980
R2,400 + R580/month
War Veteran's
+ Grant-in-Aid
R3,000
R2,420 + R580/month
Eligibility & Requirements
Who Can Apply
You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee.
You must already be receiving the Disability Grant, Older Person's Grant, or War Veteran's Grant.
You must be unable to care for yourself due to a physical or mental condition and require full-time assistance at home.
A medical practitioner must confirm that you need constant care.
You must not be cared for in a state-funded institution (if the state is covering your full-time care, you do not qualify).
You must still meet the means test requirements of your main grant.
Document Checklist
Tick off each item before heading to SASSA.
The Medical Assessment
A medical report is the backbone of this application. Without it, SASSA cannot approve the Grant-in-Aid. Here is what the process involves.
Unlike the Disability Grant (which requires a state-appointed doctor), the Grant-in-Aid medical report can come from either a private doctor or a state medical officer. What matters is that the report is no more than 3 months old and clearly states that you require full-time care and cannot perform daily activities independently.
The doctor needs to confirm that your physical or mental condition means you cannot care for yourself independently. This includes things like: being unable to cook, wash yourself, dress, move around your home safely, or manage medications without help. The report should describe the nature of your condition and explain why you need someone present on a daily basis to assist you.
Yes. The Grant-in-Aid is reviewed whenever your main grant is reviewed. If SASSA reviews your Disability Grant or Older Person's Grant, the Grant-in-Aid will be assessed at the same time. If your condition improves and you no longer need full-time care, the additional payment may be stopped while your main grant continues. Make sure you keep medical records up to date and respond to any SASSA review notices promptly.
No. SASSA does not require your caregiver to be a registered nurse or professional carer. The person helping you can be a family member, friend, or hired helper. There is no registration process for the caregiver. The grant is paid to you (the beneficiary), and you decide how to use it to arrange your care.
Tip: Apply Alongside Your Main Grant
If you already know you need full-time care when applying for your Disability, Older Person's, or War Veteran's Grant, you can submit the Grant-in-Aid application at the same time. This saves you a second trip to SASSA and means both grants can be processed together. Just make sure you bring the medical report confirming your need for full-time care along with the rest of your documents.
How to Apply
Get Your Medical Report
Visit your doctor (private or state) and ask for a medical report that confirms you need full-time care at home. The report must be less than 3 months old and must clearly describe your condition and why you cannot manage daily tasks independently.
Private or state doctor accepted
Visit Your Nearest SASSA Office
Take all your documents from the checklist above. The Grant-in-Aid must be applied for in person. If you are too ill or frail to visit, a family member or trusted person can apply on your behalf with a signed power of attorney or letter of authorisation.
In-person only
Complete the Application Form
A SASSA officer will help you fill in the form, interview you (or your representative), take your fingerprints, and verify your documents. The officer will tell you on the spot whether you appear to qualify, though the final decision takes longer.
Biometric verification required
Keep Your Receipt Safe
You will get a stamped receipt with a reference number, date, and officer's name. This is your proof of application. Without it, following up on your application becomes very difficult.
Your only proof of application
Wait for the Decision
SASSA takes up to 90 days to process the application. If approved, payments are backdated to the date you applied and will be combined with your main grant each month. If declined, SASSA must give you the reason in writing and you have 90 days to appeal to the Minister of Social Development.
Up to 90 days, backpay included
Keep Your Medical Records Current
The Grant-in-Aid is tied to your main grant. If your Disability Grant, Older Person's Grant, or War Veteran's Grant is reviewed or suspended, the Grant-in-Aid goes with it. During the 2026 compliance crackdown, SASSA is reviewing grants more aggressively than before. If you receive any SMS or letter about a grant review, respond immediately and bring your updated medical report along with income proof and ID. Letting your medical documentation expire or ignoring a review notice is the fastest way to lose this additional payment.
Payment
The Grant-in-Aid is not paid separately. It is combined with your main grant and arrives as a single payment each month. Whatever method you use to receive your Disability, Older Person's, or War Veteran's Grant (bank deposit, SASSA gold card, or ATM withdrawal) is the same method used for the Grant-in-Aid. You do not need to set up a separate collection.
Payment dates follow the schedule of your main grant. The Older Person's Grant is typically paid first each month (around the 2nd or 3rd), the Disability Grant on the following day, and so on.
Common Questions
No. The Grant-in-Aid is only available to people receiving the Disability Grant, Older Person's Grant, or War Veteran's Grant. The Care Dependency Grant is for children under 18 and is a separate programme. If you are a caregiver of a disabled child, you may qualify for the Care Dependency Grant instead, but you cannot add the Grant-in-Aid to it.
Not a separate one. You need to meet the means test requirements of your main grant. If you already qualify for the Disability Grant, Older Person's Grant, or War Veteran's Grant, you have already passed the income and asset check. The Grant-in-Aid eligibility is based on your medical need for full-time care, not on a second financial assessment.
Yes. You do not have to apply for the Grant-in-Aid at the same time as your main grant. If your condition deteriorates and you start needing full-time care after your main grant was already approved, you can visit your nearest SASSA office with a fresh medical report and apply for the Grant-in-Aid at any time.
The Grant-in-Aid is attached to your main grant. If your Disability Grant expires (for example, a temporary grant that lapses after 12 months), the Grant-in-Aid stops at the same time. If you reapply for and are approved for a new main grant, you will also need to reapply for the Grant-in-Aid with an updated medical report.
No. The application is completely free. SASSA will never charge you a fee to apply for any social grant. If anyone asks you for money to process your application, it is a scam. Report it to SASSA immediately on 0800 60 10 11.
grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. For payment queries, disputes, or technical issues, contact the SASSA toll-free helpline at 0800 60 10 11 (Mon to Fri, 7am to 4pm).