Struggling with SASSA? Here’s How to Understand the SASSA System
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is in charge of social grants in South Africa. SASSA is the government agency that issues payments like the “R350” Social Relief of Distress grant, the Older Persons grant, and the Disability grant. The system is sometimes hard to navigate and difficult to understand. ALSO READ: Another cash-in-transit truck […]
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is in charge of social grants in South Africa.
SASSA is the government agency that issues payments like the “R350” Social Relief of Distress grant, the Older Persons grant, and the Disability grant.
The system is sometimes hard to navigate and difficult to understand.
ALSO READ: Another cash-in-transit truck bombed last night in the same vicinity
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT SASSA
Need help with your SASSA application or withdrawal? Here are some of the most important information bits about how to find your way around the South African Social Security Agency.
WHAT IS SASSA?
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is a government agency in charge of social grants, including the disability and older persons grants. They work together with other departments like the Department of Social Development (DSD).
WHERE CAN I WITHDRAW OR COLLECT MY SASSA GRANT?
If you are the recipient of any grants, you can apply for certain grant payments to be sent to your official SASSA card, or directly to your bank account. Applications for account payments must be done through the official SASSA website.
Grants can also be collected at selected stores, like Post Offices, Boxer, Checkers, Spar, Shoprite, or PnP.
Alternatively, grants are available for collection from SASSA offices.
ALSO READ: SASSA SRD grants: You can now receive funds directly into bank accounts
HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THE STORE IS ABLE TO WITHDRAW MY SASSA FUNDS?
Not all stores can withdraw SASSA grants.
If you are not sure, call the store’s manager first. Ask if they are able to assist in the collection of your grant.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO COLLECT MY SASSA GRANT?
If you are withdrawing your SASSA grant at a store, take your identity document and the cellphone number on which you registered (for the confirmation SMS).
HOW DO I KNOW IF SASSA IS OFFLINE?
If you are not sure whether the system is online right now, call the store or office at which you intend to collect your SASSA grant.
ALSO READ: REMINDER: Here’s when you can collect your SASSA grant in August
CAN’T COLLECT GRANTS YOURSELF?
If you can’t collect the grant yourself, then you can appoint a procurator according to SASSA’s official Twitter account this month.
A procurator is a person who has been given the legal right to administrate certain things on someone else’s behalf.
CAN SOMEONE KEEP MY SASSA CARD?
No, Like an Identity Document, a SASSA card is your personal property and may not be in someone else’s possession.
If someone has taken your card or is witholding access from you, contact the SASSA Grant and Fraud Hotline at 0800601011.
If you suspect any other form of fraud, like someone who claims a grant that does not belong to them, it can be reported anonymously to the same hotline.
THE DIFFERENT SASSA GRANT TYPES
Did you know that there’s more than just the SRD grant available?
Here are the different social grants available, and where to apply for each.
THE SOCIAL RELIEF OF DISTRESS (SRD) OR “R350” GRANT
The “R350” or Social Relief of Distress grant is a temporary social grant for citizens needing immediate relief from their social situation.
• SA Government: Social Relief of Distress Grant
ALSO READ: What are the SASSA payment dates for August?
THE CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT
The Care Dependency grant is a social grant that assists parents, foster parents, or caregivers of disabled children (up to 18 years old). The grant supports those with special, full-time care needs. It can be up to R2 080 per month.
• SA Government: The Care Dependency Grant
THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT
The Child Support grant is a social grant that provides childcare support for parents, foster parents, and caregivers. Child Support grants provide R500 per child, per month.
• SA Government: The Child Support Grant
THE DISABILITY GRANT
The Disability grant applies to anyone with a chronic illness or permanent disability, which exempts them from work for more than six months. Disability grants are subject to a medical appointment, which can be made with the help of your nearest hospital or clinic. The maximum is R2 080 per month.
ׇ• SA Government: The Disability Grant
THE OLDER PERSONS GRANT
The Older Persons grant is a social grant meant to provide added support for the aged and elderly, who are past the age of 60. A maximum amount of R2 080 per month is allowed for the Older Persons grant.
• SA Government: The Older Persons Grant
ALSO READ: What are the EIGHT SASSA payment grants South Africans can apply for?
THE FOSTER CHILD GRANT
The Foster Child grant is there to assist the parents and caregivers of foster children. It can be up to R1 120 per month, per child.
• SA Government: The Foster Child Grant
THE IN-AID GRANT
The In-Aid grant is a grant issued to South Africans who receive a grant, but who must pay a secondary carer to take care of them.
THE WAR VETERAN’S GRANT
The War Veteran’s grant is reserved for any older South African citizens who participated in the Korean or Second World Wars. It can total up to R2 100 per month.
• SA Government: The War Veteran’s Grant
WHERE TO CONTACT SASSA
If you need to contact the South African Security Agency, visit this page with Head Office and Regional contact information.