Henceforth, it becomes crucial for SASSA to put such a social security model in place so that its objectives can be met, that is, to provide social security for poor, indigent and helpless people, to offer welfare service of high quality, and to have justice in access and benefits wherever possible. Just very briefly, it would be important to describe the nine grants available under the South African Social Security Agency.
1. Old Age Grant
Old Age Grant is a monthly grant that is meant to assist those South Africans aged 60 years and older who are in financial need. This grant should be able to assist all older individuals who cannot work anymore or have to depend on public assistance for their basic living expenses. This grant is for men and women with an income and asset means test.
2. Disability Grant
People with some form of physical impairment or mental incapacity and who may not sustain themselves through work would fall under the Disability Grant category. This amount of grant is meant to supplement the daily needs of those people with disabilities and cover their basic needs. Individuals are required to undergo a medical examination to clarify their disability status, and this grant is accessible to South African citizens or permanent residents.
3. Child Support Grant
This is the largest grant that South African families can afford. It is beneficial to caregivers regarding minor children below the age of 18. It is crucial in a single parent or guardian-headed family and when such families can’t fulfill their children’s very basic needs. The caregiver must meet the income threshold of SASSA to qualify.
4. Foster Care Grant
The Foster Care Grant is for persons legally responsible for taking care of children placed before the court. Foster Care Grant provides relief to foster parents towards additional costs they incur when raising a child who is not their biological offspring. The eligibility requires meeting both income and legal requirements as the foster child will be in the care of the applicant.
5. Care Dependency Grant
The grant allows financial assistance to clear expenses incurred by a caregiver for a child with permanent disabilities who needs full time care. The object of Care Dependency Grant is to provide financial relief to families that care for a lifetime for a severely disabled child. Medical proof of the disability of the child must be provided by the applicant, apart from the income requirements that must be met by the caregiver.
6. Grant-in-Aid
The Grant-in-Aid is meant for an individual who is already receiving a disability grant or an old age grant but requires some additional assistance in daily activities by being physically or mentally limited. Grant-in-Aid is aimed at meeting the cost of assistance with personal care, which may include eating, bathing, or mobility.
7. Social Relief of Distress (SRD)
The Social Relief of Distress Grant is a limited financial measure for relief during situations of disaster, unemployment, sickness or any other emergency. In contrast to all other grants, SRD is given to individuals for short periods and is aimed at serving them with immediate relief for short-time needs. The SRD Grant was very important during the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of South Africans were facing loss of income.
8. Unofficial Unemployment Grant (TBA)
There is no unemployment benefit mentioned under regular SASSA offerings but there is continuous discussion and advocacy regarding unemployment benefit under formal South African norms. The Unemployment Insurance Fund that is administered by the Department of Employment and Labour now provides financial relief to unemployed citizens who have made contributions to the UIF throughout their working years.
Application procedure for SASSA grants
SASSA grant applications can be made online, at SASSA offices or by post office. It must be noted that there are generally qualifying factors such as proof of identity, validation of household income, and in some cases, a medical assessment. Therefore, it is important to submit all required documents so that there are no delays during processing.
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