Collecting or Managing a Grant for Someone Else

Which one applies to my situation?

If the beneficiary can still decide for themselves, it is a procurator. If they cannot, or if somebody is taking the money, it is an administrator.

What is a procurator?

A procurator is a person appointed by a beneficiary to act on their behalf in matters relating to social grants. The appointment is formalised through a power of attorney, which authorises the procurator to perform specific tasks — applying for, collecting or managing a grant — when the beneficiary cannot do so because of illness, disability, frailty or another valid reason.

The beneficiary stays in control: they choose the person, and the power of attorney sets out what that person may do.

What documents does a procurator need?

1. The power of attorney form, available at SASSA offices. It must be signed and fingerprinted by both the beneficiary and the procurator in front of a Commissioner of Oaths — a designated SASSA official, a lawyer, a police officer or a church minister.
2. Certified copies of valid 13-digit barcoded IDs for both the beneficiary and the procurator.
3. A life certificate, confirming the beneficiary is alive.
4. An affidavit declaring that the grant will be handed over to the beneficiary.
5. A medical or social worker report, if one is needed to confirm that the beneficiary cannot manage the grant independently.
6. Additional affidavits, where the beneficiary cannot sign: two people who know them well may submit affidavits confirming their condition.

Life certification can often be completed from home instead — see e-Life certification.

What is an administrator?

An administrator is a person appointed by SASSA to manage a social grant on behalf of a beneficiary who cannot do so themselves through incapacity, vulnerability or abuse. Unlike a procurator, an administrator is appointed by the Agency — often where the beneficiary is at risk or the grant is being misused.

The appointment is not started by the beneficiary. SASSA initiates it when:

• There is evidence of abuse or mismanagement of the grant.
• The beneficiary is mentally or physically incapable of managing it.
• A welfare organisation or trusted individual is identified to act in the beneficiary's best interest.

The process then runs: assessment by a social worker, a recommendation based on the findings, approval by SASSA, and formal notification to both the beneficiary and the appointed administrator.

What documents does an administrator appointment need?

• A medical or social worker report confirming the beneficiary's incapacity.
• Certified copies of valid 13-digit identity documents for both the beneficiary and the proposed administrator.
• An affidavit or declaration from the proposed administrator confirming their willingness and ability to act in the beneficiary's interest.
• Supporting documentation such as proof of residence, income verification, and the relationship to the beneficiary where applicable.
• SASSA application forms, which can be completed at your nearest SASSA local office.

What protects the beneficiary?

Both routes exist to get money to the person it belongs to, so the safeguards matter as much as the paperwork:

• A procurator signs an affidavit undertaking to hand the grant over to the beneficiary. That is an enforceable declaration, not a formality.
• Both signatures on a power of attorney are taken in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, with fingerprints, so neither can be added afterwards.
• Never share a bank PIN, with a helper or anyone else. SASSA will never ask for a PIN in any interaction.
• Suspected abuse of a grant can be reported to SASSA on the fraud line, 0800 701 701. Misuse is one of the grounds on which SASSA appoints an administrator.

More on how to tell a genuine SASSA interaction from a fake one is on official SASSA channels.

Common questions