Grant-in-Aid

Grant-in-Aid Amount

Grant-in-Aid is paid monthly as additional support on top of the qualifying main grant. It is intended to help where the beneficiary needs regular care from another person.

Official amount reference: gov.za Grant-in-Aid amount. Grant amounts can change after official budget or SASSA announcements.

Who Qualifies for Grant-in-Aid?

Grant-in-Aid is for a beneficiary who already receives a qualifying main grant and needs regular attendance by another person. The main issue is not only illness or age, but whether the person needs help with regular care because they cannot care for themselves.

Which Grants Can Grant-in-Aid Attach To?

Grant-in-Aid only supports specific main grants. This is important because many people confuse it with child-related grants or SRD.

Grant-in-Aid Medical Assessment

SASSA may need a medical assessment or report to confirm that the beneficiary needs regular care from another person. The assessment helps show the care need, not only the name of a condition.

The important question is whether the beneficiary can care for themselves without regular help. This can include help with daily activities, movement, supervision, personal care or other regular support needs.

Grant-in-Aid Is Not a Child Grant

Grant-in-Aid does not apply to the Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant or Care Dependency Grant. If the person needing care is a child, the relevant route is usually a child-related grant, not Grant-in-Aid.

For child-related support, compare the Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant and Care Dependency Grant instead of using Grant-in-Aid.

Documents You May Need

SASSA may ask for documents that confirm the beneficiary’s identity, main grant, care need, medical position and payment details.

• South African ID document or accepted identity document.
• Proof that the beneficiary receives a qualifying main grant.
• Medical assessment or report confirming the need for regular care, where required.
• Proof of residence, where requested.
• Banking details or payment method information, if payment details need to be confirmed.
• Any extra documents SASSA requests during the application or review.

How to Apply for Grant-in-Aid

Apply through SASSA or an official SASSA services route. The beneficiary should already be receiving a qualifying main grant before Grant-in-Aid is considered.

1. Confirm that you already receive an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant or War Veterans Grant.
2. Confirm that you need regular care or attendance from another person.
3. Ask SASSA what medical assessment or report is required.
4. Prepare identity, main grant and medical/care documents.
5. Apply through SASSA or the official SASSA services route where available.
6. Keep proof of application.
7. Respond if SASSA asks for more documents, review information or verification.

Official online services are available through the SASSA services portal.

Grant-in-Aid Payment Schedule

Grant-in-Aid is linked to a qualifying main grant, so payment timing normally follows the main grant payment group. For example, if it is linked to an Older Persons Grant, it follows the older persons payment cycle.

Use the SASSA payment dates page to check the full 2026/27 payment calendar for the main grant group.

Reviews, Care Changes and Stopping

SASSA can review Grant-in-Aid to confirm that the beneficiary still receives the qualifying main grant and still needs regular care from another person.

Grant-in-Aid may stop if the main grant stops, if the beneficiary no longer needs regular care, if the beneficiary is admitted to a state-funded institution, or if official review requirements are not met.

Common Grant-in-Aid Problems

Official Grant-in-Aid Links

Use official sources when checking rules, applications or updated amounts.

More SASSA Grant Guides

This page is part of the wider SASSA grants guide. Use that hub to compare Grant-in-Aid with older persons, disability, war veterans, child support, foster child, care dependency and SRD grant guides.

Grant-in-Aid FAQs