SASSA Grants: Full List and Amounts 2026

SASSA pays out several different social grants, and it is easy to lose track of which one fits your situation, what it pays, and who qualifies. This page lists every grant with its 2026 amount, the basic means test for each, when you get paid, how to reach SASSA, the most common reasons applications get rejected, and how to keep yourself safe from scams. Start with the grant that matches your circumstances.

The Full List of Grants and 2026 Amounts

These are the monthly amounts for the 2026 cycle. They are reviewed each year, so always confirm the current figure on the official SASSA channels before you plan around it:

• SRD Grant — R370 — the Social Relief of Distress grant for unemployed adults aged 18 to 59 with little or no income.
• Older Persons Grant — R2,310 — the old-age pension for South Africans aged 60 and over who pass the means test.
• Child Support Grant — R560 — paid to the primary caregiver of a child under 18.
• Disability Grant — R2,310 — for adults who cannot work because of a physical or mental disability, confirmed by a medical assessment.
• Foster Child Grant — R1,250 — for a child placed in your care by a court order.
• Care Dependency Grant — R2,310 — for the caregiver of a child under 18 with a severe disability needing full-time care.
• Grant-in-Aid — R560 — an add-on for grant holders who need a full-time carer because they cannot look after themselves.
• War Veterans Grant — R2,330 — for veterans of the Second World War or the Korean War aged 60 or over, or who are disabled.

Who Qualifies: The Means Test for Each Grant

Every SASSA grant has eligibility rules, and most include a means test that looks at your income and assets. Here is the short version for each:

• SRD R370 — aged 18 to 59, a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee, unemployed, and receiving no other grant or UIF. Your income is checked against a low monthly threshold every month.
• Older Persons — aged 60+, with income and assets below the annual means-test limits, which are higher for married couples.
• Child Support — you are the primary caregiver, the child is under 18, and your income falls under the threshold for a single or married caregiver.
• Disability — aged 18 to 59, with a medical assessment confirming you cannot work, plus the standard means test.
• Foster Child — there must be a valid court order placing the child in your care; the foster parent’s own income is not means-tested.
• Care Dependency — the child is under 18 with a severe disability needing permanent care, confirmed by a medical assessment, plus the caregiver means test.
• Grant-in-Aid — you already receive an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans grant and need a full-time carer.
• War Veterans — a veteran of the listed wars, aged 60+ or disabled, passing the means test.

Payment Dates: When the Money Lands

SASSA pays grants over the first week of each month on a staggered schedule, so the pay points and shops are not overwhelmed on a single day:

• Older Persons grants are usually paid first, near the start of the month.
• Disability grants follow on the next pay day.
• Child Support and other grants are paid on the day after that.
• SRD R370 is paid separately, later in the month, and the exact date can vary — always check your status online before travelling to collect.

Once your money is in your account it stays there until you withdraw it, so there is no need to rush to a pay point on day one.

How to Contact SASSA

If you have a question about your grant, an application, or a payment, use the official channels only:

• Toll-free line — 0800 60 10 11, for general queries and application help.
• SRD enquiries — the dedicated WhatsApp line and the srd.sassa.gov.za website handle SRD status and changes.
• Your local SASSA office — for new applications, reviews and document submissions for the non-SRD grants.
• Email — [email protected] for written queries you want on record.

Common Reasons Applications Get Rejected

Most rejections come down to a handful of fixable issues. If your application was declined, check these first before you reapply or lodge an appeal:

• Income above the threshold — even an irregular payment into your account can flag you over the limit for that month.
• Receiving another grant or UIF — you cannot draw the SRD grant alongside another social grant or a UIF payment.
• Details not matching Home Affairs — a name, surname or ID number that does not match the official records.
• Identity or banking verification failed — the bank account must be in your own name and active.
• Missing or expired documents — for example a court order, medical assessment or proof of residence that was not supplied or has lapsed.

If you believe a rejection is wrong, you have the right to appeal within the stated window — do it through the official SASSA channel, not a third party who charges a fee.

Stay Safe: Spotting SASSA Scams

Grant beneficiaries are a constant target for fraudsters. A few simple rules will keep you safe:

• SASSA never charges to apply — anyone asking for money to register you, speed up your grant or “unlock” a payment is a scammer.
• Never share your PIN or OTP — no SASSA official will ever ask for your card PIN, one-time password or full banking login.
• Check the web address — the only official SRD site is srd.sassa.gov.za and the main site is sassa.gov.za; lookalike domains are fake.
• Ignore “you’ve been approved” SMS links — check your status yourself on the official site rather than clicking a link sent to you.

Start with the Grant That Fits You

You do not need to understand every grant — just the one that matches your situation. Confirm the current amount, check that you meet the means test, gather your ID and proof of income, and apply through the official channel. If you are turned down, fix the issue above and appeal in time. Keep everything on the official SASSA channels and you will avoid the scams that prey on people waiting for a grant.

This page is for general information only. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by SASSA or the South African government. Grant amounts and rules can change — always confirm the current details on the official SASSA channels. Applying for a SASSA grant is free; never pay a fee to apply for or claim a grant.