The SASSA disability grant pays R2,400 a month (from April 2026) to South Africans aged 18 to 59 who can’t work because of a physical or mental disability. You need a medical assessment by a SASSA-appointed doctor, which you can book online or at a SASSA office, and you must pass the means test: income under R9,350 a month if single. The grant can be temporary (6 to 12 months) or permanent. Applying is free, and if your application is refused you can appeal within 90 days.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | R2,400 a month from April 2026 |
| Age | 18 to 59. At 60 you move to the older person’s grant |
| Medical assessment | By a SASSA-appointed doctor. Book online or at an office |
| Income limit | R9,350 a month (single), R18,700 (married) |
| Asset limit | R1,584,000 (single), R3,168,000 (married) |
| Types | Temporary (6 to 12 months) or permanent |
| Extra help | Grant-in-aid of R580 if you need full-time care |
On this page: Who qualifies · Amount · Means test · Medical assessment · How to apply · Temporary vs permanent · If you’re refused · Payment dates · FAQ
Who qualifies for the SASSA disability grant?
- You are a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee, living in South Africa.
- You are aged 18 to 59.
- A SASSA-appointed doctor finds that a physical or mental disability makes you unable to work, usually for at least six months.
- You pass the means test (see below).
- You don’t get another social grant for yourself. A child grant for your children is fine.
- You don’t live in a state-funded institution such as a state hospital or prison.
You don’t need to have a specific illness on a list. What matters is how your condition affects your ability to work, which the medical assessment decides. Common reasons include chronic illness, mental health conditions, injuries and loss of sight or mobility.
How much is the disability grant in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the disability grant is R2,400 a month, up R85 from R2,315. If you can’t look after yourself and need someone to care for you full time, you can also get the grant-in-aid of R580 on top. Your income can reduce the amount: people with some income may get less than the full grant. See all figures on our SASSA grant amounts page.
Disability grant means test 2026
| Single | Married (combined) | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit per month | R9,350 | R18,700 |
| Income limit per year | R112,200 | R224,400 |
| Asset limit | R1,584,000 | R3,168,000 |
These limits apply from April 2026, as SASSA explained in May 2026 (Alberton Record). The house you live in is not counted as an asset. Some sites still show older, lower limits such as R107,880 a year, which were the 2025 figures.
The medical assessment
Every SASSA disability grant application needs a medical assessment by a doctor SASSA has contracted. Your own doctor’s reports are important evidence, but the SASSA doctor writes the assessment and SASSA makes the final decision.
- Book it: online on SASSA’s platform, or at a SASSA office if you don’t have internet. SASSA has urged applicants to book online to save transport costs and queues (SASSA, May 2025).
- Bring your medical records: recent reports from your clinic, hospital or specialist, test results and a list of your medicines. GroundUp advises that the medical report should not be older than three months.
- On the day: the doctor examines you and records whether you qualify, and for how long.
How long does it take? SASSA aims to finish 85% of medical assessments within 30 working days of booking. In a reply to Parliament on 21 October 2026, it said 99% of 155,082 assessments in the first quarter of 2026/27 were done within 30 working days, using 428 contracted doctors (PMG, question NW5204). Some applicants, especially in rural areas, still report much longer waits, so book as early as you can.
How to apply for the SASSA disability grant
- Book your medical assessment online or at your nearest SASSA office.
- Attend the assessment with your ID and all your medical records.
- Collect your documents: your 13-digit ID or smart ID, proof of address, bank statements for the last three months, proof of income (or a sworn statement that you have none), and your spouse’s ID and marriage certificate if you’re married.
- Complete the application, online where offered or at the SASSA office. Make sure any uploaded copies are certified and not older than six months.
- Keep your receipt with the reference number.
- Wait for SASSA’s written decision, usually within three months. If you’re approved, you’re paid from the date you applied.
If you’re too ill to travel, a family member can help, and you can ask SASSA about a home visit. SASSA warns applicants not to accept “help” from strangers in queues or share personal information with them. Office numbers are on our SASSA contact details page.
Temporary vs permanent disability grant
| Type | How long | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary | 6 to 12 months, as the doctor recommends | The grant ends on its end date. Apply again with a new assessment if you still can’t work |
| Permanent | Until age 60, when it becomes an older person’s grant | SASSA can still review it, for example if your circumstances change |
Mark your temporary grant’s end date and start the new application a couple of months before it, so there’s less of a gap. Permanent grant holders should respond quickly to any review SMS. See our grant review guide.
If your disability grant is refused
- Read the letter. SASSA must give the reason in writing. Common reasons are an old medical report, the means test, or the doctor finding you able to work.
- Ask for reconsideration within 90 days. SASSA reviews it within about 30 days.
- Appeal to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals if SASSA doesn’t change its decision. Include your medical reports, proof of income and the refusal letter.
- Get free help from Black Sash on 072 663 3739.
This process is explained in a GroundUp reader Q&A from July 2025.
Disability grant payment dates
The disability grant is paid on the second payment day each month, the day after older persons. For November 2026 that is Monday 2 November, moved earlier because of the local government elections, and for December 2026 it’s Thursday 3 December. Full dates are on our SASSA payment dates page.
Disability grant vs SRD grant
If you’re waiting for your disability grant assessment and have no income, you may qualify for the SRD R370 grant in the meantime, if you’re 18 to 59 and get no other grant. Once your disability grant is approved, the SRD grant stops, because you can’t receive both. See how the other grants compare in our guide to all SASSA grants.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SASSA disability grant in 2026?
R2,400 a month from April 2026. People who need full-time care can also get the grant-in-aid of R580.
Who qualifies for the SASSA disability grant?
South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees aged 18 to 59 who a SASSA doctor finds unable to work because of a disability, and who pass the means test.
How do I book a SASSA medical assessment?
Book online on SASSA’s platform or at your nearest SASSA office. Bring your ID and recent medical reports to the assessment.
How long is a temporary disability grant?
Usually 6 to 12 months, as recommended by the doctor. After that you must apply again with a new assessment.
What is the income limit for the disability grant?
In 2026, R9,350 a month for a single person and R18,700 for a married couple, with asset limits of R1,584,000 and R3,168,000.
Can I get the disability grant and the SRD grant together?
No. You can get the SRD grant while you wait, but it stops once your disability grant is approved.
What happens to my disability grant at age 60?
It changes to the older person’s grant, which pays the same amount.
About this guide
Written and checked by N Chris, for SASSA Status Check Help. This guide was checked against a SASSA reply to Parliament (October 2026), SASSA statements on gov.za, the 2026 means test explainer, GroundUp and Health-e News. We are not SASSA. Read how we verify information.