SASSA Grant Documents, and Who Qualifies for Each
Six documents are asked for at almost every SASSA grant application: your ID, proof of marital status, your latest payslip, three months of bank statements, a bank confirmation letter, and a refugee permit if you are a refugee. Each grant then adds its own — a birth certificate, a court order or a medical referral.
Which documents does every grant ask for?
Bring these to any permanent grant application. Where you are married, bring your spouse's as well as your own:
- Certified copy of a valid 13-digit barcoded ID for you and your spouse. If you do not have one, SASSA-approved alternative identification is accepted.
- Certified copy of a valid Section 24 refugee permit, if you are applying as a recognised refugee.
- Proof of marital status — a marriage certificate, your spouse's death certificate, a decree of divorce, or an affidavit in the case of desertion.
- Your latest payslip, not older than three months, for you and your spouse if you are married.
- Three months of bank statements for every active account held by you and your spouse.
- A bank account confirmation letter, or three months of statements, for the account you want the grant paid into.
Screening can ask for more
Additional documents or information may be requested during one-on-one screening. An application only sets your date of application once it is complete and verified, so a missing document delays the date your grant is paid from, not just the paperwork.
Who qualifies for each grant?
Every grant below requires you to be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee residing in South Africa. Beyond that they differ:
| Grant | Who it is for | Means tested |
|---|---|---|
| Older Person's | Aged 60 or older | Yes |
| Disability | Aged 18 to 59, with a confirmed disability | Yes |
| War Veteran's | Aged 60 or older, or living with a disability, who served in the Second World War or the Korean War | Yes |
| Child Support | Primary caregiver of a child under 18 | Yes |
| Child Support Top-Up | A relative caring for the child, or a child aged 16–18 heading a household | Yes |
| Care Dependency | Primary caregiver of a child under 18 needing permanent care for a disability | Yes |
| Foster Child | Court-placed foster parent | No |
| Grant-in-Aid | Already on an Older Person's, Disability or War Veteran's Grant and needing full-time care | Through the main grant |
Two rules apply across most of them: you must not be maintained or cared for in a state-funded institution, and you must not already receive another social grant for yourself. How the income and asset limits work is explained on the means test.
What does each grant add?
| Grant | Additional documents |
|---|---|
| Older Person's | Proof of permissible deductions; proof of assets |
| Disability | Proof of permissible deductions; proof of assets; a signed and stamped referral letter with clinical information |
| War Veteran's | Proof of permissible deductions; proof of assets; proof of service in the Second World War or the Korean War |
| Child Support | Certified 13-digit birth certificate of the child; proof of school attendance if the child is 7–18 |
| Child Support Top-Up | As above, plus death certificates for both parents — or one death certificate and an affidavit where the other parent's status is unknown |
| Care Dependency | Certified birth certificate of the child; referral letter with clinical information from the treating practitioner or institution |
| Foster Child | Certified 13-digit birth certificate of the foster child; a valid court order confirming the placement; proof of school attendance |
| Grant-in-Aid | Proof of permissible deductions; proof of assets; referral letter with clinical information |
- Proof of permissible deductions
- Tax, UIF, medical aid, and private pension or retirement annuity contributions. These are the only deductions allowed against income.
- Proof of assets
- Property you own but do not occupy, cash investments, shares, endowment policies and lump sums invested.
Older Person's Grant
For people aged 60 or older. You must not be cared for in a state-funded institution, must not already receive another grant for yourself, and must pass the means test on your and your spouse's income and assets. Full detail on the Older Persons grant.
Disability Grant
For people aged 18 to 59 who cannot work because of a disability. You must undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming the disability and provide clinical information or a referral form. If you were previously rejected on medical grounds, submit a referral form completed by the treating facility or practitioner. Full detail on the Disability grant.
Child Support Grant and the top-up
The Child Support Grant is for the primary caregiver of a child under 18. You may not apply for more than six non-biological children. Proof of school attendance is asked for where the child is of school-going age, but not attending school or not producing the proof cannot on its own be a reason to refuse the grant. Full detail on the Child Support grant.
The Child Support Grant Top-Up is not a stand-alone grant — it is linked to the standard Child Support Grant and follows the same means-test outcome. It is for a relative caring for the child — a grandparent, sibling, uncle, aunt or cousin — or for a child aged 16 to 18 who heads a household. You must live with the child, the child must be of school-going age and under 18, and you may not apply for more than six children.
Care Dependency Grant
For the primary caregiver of a child under 18 who needs permanent care because of a disability. You must live in South Africa with the child, submit clinical information or a referral form as the baseline for assessment, and the child must undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming the disability. The child must not be permanently cared for in a state-funded institution.
Two points that catch people out:
- A foster child who is care dependent may receive the Foster Child Grant and the Care Dependency Grant at the same time.
- Where you are applying for a fostered child, foster parents' income is excluded from the means test.
Foster Child Grant
For a foster parent with a valid court order confirming the placement. The child must remain in your care and live with you in South Africa, and neither of you may be cared for in a state-funded institution.
- It is the only grant that is not means tested. Foster parents' income is not considered.
- It may run to age 21 if the child is still at school, including at tertiary level, where the supporting documents confirm it.
- You may not hold it for more than six children, unless they are siblings or blood relations, or a court decides otherwise in the children's best interests under section 185(1) of the Children's Act.
Grant-in-Aid
Not a stand-alone grant. You must already receive an Older Person's, Disability or War Veteran's Grant, and need regular attendance and help from another person because of a physical or mental disability or illness. You must not be cared for in a state-funded institution that receives a subsidy for your care or housing, and you must undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming the disability.
War Veteran's Grant
For people who served in the Second World War or the Korean War and are either 60 or older or living with a disability. You must not be cared for in a state-funded institution or already receive another grant for yourself, and you must pass the means test. Proof of that war service is required in addition to the core documents.
Common questions
What if I do not have a 13-digit barcoded ID?
SASSA-approved alternative identification is accepted, for you and for your spouse. Ask at the office which alternative applies to your situation before the appointment, so the application is complete on the day.
My child is not in school. Will the grant be refused?
No. Proof of school attendance is requested for a child of school-going age, but failing to attend or to produce the proof cannot on its own be a reason to refuse the grant.
Can one child attract two grants?
Yes, in one case: a foster child who is also care dependent may attract the Foster Child Grant and the Care Dependency Grant at the same time.
How many children can I claim for?
Six. The Child Support Grant limit is six non-biological children, and the Foster Child Grant limit is six — unless the children are siblings or blood relations, or a court decides otherwise in their best interests.
Why does SASSA want three months of bank statements?
The means test is assessed on your actual income and assets, and statements are how that is verified. Every active account you and your spouse hold is included, including fixed deposit and investment accounts.
Sources: SASSA qualifying criteria and required-document schedules for each grant; sassa.gov.za. Last verified September 2026.
Reviewed by Secure The Grant editorial team against official SASSA sources on . How we check our facts