Information reviewed 20 September 2026
Permanent Social Grant Applications
Applications for permanent social grants are administered by SASSA. The 2026 grant booklet covers Older Persons, Disability, War Veterans, Grant-in-Aid, Child Support, Child Support Top-Up, Care Dependency and Foster Child grants.
Common Documents
Depending on the grant, documents can include a 13-digit identification document or accepted alternative identification, proof of marital status, bank statements, income information, medical or functional assessments, birth certificates or court orders.
Means Tests
Several grants use a means test that considers income and, for some grant types, assets. Foster Child Grant rules differ because the foster parent’s income is not used as a means test for that grant.
Application Receipt
Keep the receipt or reference information you receive after applying. It can help when following up on an application.
Processing Time
Government service pages for several permanent grants state that processing may take up to three months, with approved payments generally backdated to the application date according to the applicable rules.
Grant Application Readiness Checklist
Use this to prepare common documents before starting or attending an application process. Exact requirements vary by grant.