The Grant-in-Aid is the most significant financial assistance that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gives to physically challenged people. This aid is given to sick people who have become unable to take care of themselves. Occasionally, people with disabilities are allowed to get help from caregivers, and they may also receive assistance in other ways.
Payment Dates for October 2025
The Grant-in-Aid is also distributed every month in line with the main grants schedule. To be more specific, the timetable for SASSA’s major grants and Grant-in-Aid for October 2025 is given below together with the increases, if any:
- Older Persons / main adult grants: Thursday, 2nd October 2025
- Disability grants: Friday, 3rd October 2025
- Children & other grants (including those attached to child/grant types): Monday, 6th October 2025
- Thus, Grant-in-Aid recipients will get the extra R560 on the same day their principal qualifying grant is paid out.
Who can apply & What are the eligibility criteria
The Grant-in-Aid scheme will only be open for application to the holders of one SASSA’s main grants. SASSA has confirmed the aforementioned grants as the sole ones that qualify under the Grant-in-Aid scheme:
- Older Persons Grant
- Disability Grant
- War Veterans Grant
Only these three grants permit the applicants to make a Grant-in-Aid application.
Medical / Functional Assessment Requirement
As part of your application, you are required to attach a medical or functional assessment/report not older than three months, indicating that you are in need of total care or supervision.If your first application is rejected on medical grounds, you will have to get a treatment facility referral or a qualified practitioner’s recommendation to reapply.It can happen that visiting the SASSA office and having an interview with a SASSA officer will come before the filling out of the relevant forms. During such a time, the officer might ask you questions.
The medical/functional
assessment form that is required for Grant-in-Aid application or renewal by SASSA is to be expected to include the following:
- A detailed account of the impairment(s), disability or condition
- The extent to which the individual’s daily living and independence have been impacted by the impairments
- The requirement of support or supervision (e.g., for mobility, personal care, feeding, medication taking, etc.)
- The nature of care required with an indication of whether it is full-time or part-time and if a timetable is needed.
The document is signed by the medical doctor, the clinic, or the healthcare professional who is examining and diagnosing the patient, and a referral or validation that supports the application is issued.
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