Who Qualifies for the SASSA Disability Grant 2025?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offers disability grants to qualified individuals who cannot work due to medical limitations. If you are unable to find employment because of a disability, you might be eligible for the SASSA disability grant, which can provide up to R1,980 per month to assist with your everyday expenses.

To be eligible for the SASSA disability grant in 2025, you must meet the following criteria:

Citizenship and Residency Requirements

Solely South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees are eligible to apply for the disability grant. 

You need to present your green, barcoded ID book, ID smartcard, or refugee permit as evidence of identification and citizenship/residency status. Applicants must also reside in South Africa to receive the monthly payments.

Age Limit

To be eligible for the disability grant, you must be aged between 18 and 59 years. Once you reach 60, your payments will cease, and you will become eligible for the old age pension. 

If your disability occurred before turning 18, you can apply once you reach this age.

Submit a Medical Assessment Report

You must undergo an evaluation by a medical professional to validate your disability. This should be a permanent and severe disability that hinders your ability to work. 

Examples include visual or hearing impairments, mental illness, epilepsy, amputation, stroke, and more. The doctor will fill out a specific SASSA assessment form categorizing the level of your disability as moderate, severe, or profound. A severe rating is necessary to qualify for the grant. 

Your medical report should not be older than 3 months at the time of application. SASSA may also request a second assessment to confirm the disability.

Pass the Means Test

Similar to other SASSA grants, you must meet the means test, which evaluates if your income falls below the specified threshold based on your marital status. 

For 2025, the income limit is R58,590 per year for single individuals and R117,180 per year for married couples. Therefore, even if you have a disability, you may not qualify if your household income exceeds the means test threshold.

Cannot Be in an Institution

If you are residing in a state institution such as a hospital, treatment center, or home for the aged, you are not eligible to receive the disability grant, regardless of meeting other criteria. 

However, if you are living at home or independently and undergoing periodic treatment, you may still be eligible. The crucial factor is that SASSA should not be covering your full-time care in an institution using taxpayer funds.

Not Receiving Another Grant

A key requirement is that you should not already be receiving any other social grant from SASSA for yourself. For instance, if you currently receive the old age pension, you will not be eligible for the disability grant. 

Nevertheless, your spouse can apply for other grants, such as the child support grant for any children you may have. The limitation is solely on receiving multiple grants for yourself from SASSA.

How to Apply for the Disability Grant?

Follow these steps to apply for the disability grant:

  • Gather your medical records, ID, and income statements.
  • Have your doctor evaluate your disability and complete the SASSA assessment form.
  • Fill out the disability grant application form.
  • Submit your application with supporting documents at your nearest SASSA office.
  • Attend any necessary interviews with SASSA representatives.
  • If your application is approved, you will receive an SMS notification and can collect your SASSA card.
  • Your first payment will be disbursed in the month following approval.

When Are Payments Made?

Disability grant payments are made on the 3rd day of each month. The funds will be deposited into your SASSA card account, enabling you to access cash and pay bills.

As long as you remain eligible, monthly payments will continue until you reach the age cutoff of 60 years. You will need to reapply annually for reassessment of your disability status.

How Much Is the Disability Grant in 2025?

There are two possible amounts for the disability grant:

  • R1,980 per month – For individuals with severe disabilities requiring full-time care or support. This is the maximum amount payable.
  • R1,510 per month – For individuals with moderate disabilities who can manage some of their daily needs.

The level of your disability, as determined by the doctor’s assessment, will dictate the grant amount. If your disability level changes, the grant amount can be adjusted accordingly.

Can You Work and Still Get the Grant?

In some cases, yes. The disability grant is designed to support your basic living costs if you are unable to work to fully support yourself. 

However, you may still be able to engage in part-time or low-income work. SASSA will consider any alternate sources of income during assessments and the means test. It’s important to disclose all earnings, as they may modify the grant amount based on your total income.

Completely depriving disabled individuals of income sources would only further marginalize them. Therefore, the disability grant allows for some work while providing supplemental income where necessary.

Conclusion

The SASSA disability grant serves as a crucial support system for individuals who cannot work and earn income due to a permanent physical, mental, sensory, or chronic health condition. Citizens aged 18 to 59 who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for monthly financial assistance, aiding in covering daily living expenses and alleviating the financial burden of disability. It is imperative to comprehend the requirements, gather the necessary documents, and submit a complete application to access this essential support.