The SASSA grant-in-aid is an extra R580 a month (from April 2026) for people who already get an older person’s, disability or war veterans grant and need someone to look after them full time because of their physical or mental condition. A doctor must certify that need on SASSA’s form. It isn’t means-tested separately, it’s paid together with your main grant, and you apply at a SASSA office. People living in a state institution that already provides full-time care don’t qualify.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | R580 a month from April 2026 (R560 before) |
| Who can get it | People on an older person’s, disability or war veterans grant |
| Main condition | You need full-time care from another person |
| Proof | A medical report certifying that need |
| Means test | No separate means test |
| How it’s paid | Added to your main grant on the same day |
| Where to apply | A SASSA office |
On this page: What it is · Who qualifies · Amount · Documents · How to apply · Payment · vs care dependency grant · FAQ
What is the SASSA grant-in-aid?
The grant-in-aid is a small extra payment meant to help pay for the care of a grant holder who can’t manage daily life alone, such as washing, dressing, eating or moving around. It’s set out in section 12 of the Social Assistance Act, which says a person is eligible if they are in such a physical or mental condition that they need “regular attendance by another person” (Social Assistance Act, section 12).
The regulations add that the person must already receive a social grant and be “certified by a medical officer as requiring full time attendance by another person” (Regulation 8).
Who qualifies for the grant-in-aid?
- You already receive an older person’s grant, disability grant or war veterans grant.
- Because of a physical or mental condition, you need full-time care from another person.
- A doctor certifies this on SASSA’s medical form.
- You don’t live in a state-funded institution, such as a state hospital or state old age home, that already gives you full-time care.
Child grants, the foster child grant and the SRD R370 grant don’t qualify for the grant-in-aid. For a child who needs full-time care, the care dependency grant is the right one (see below).
How much is the grant-in-aid in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the grant-in-aid is R580 a month, up from R560. It’s added to your main grant:
| Main grant | Main grant amount | With grant-in-aid |
|---|---|---|
| Older person’s grant (60 to 74) | R2,400 | R2,980 |
| Older person’s grant (75+) | R2,420 | R3,000 |
| Disability grant | R2,400 | R2,980 |
| War veterans grant | R2,420 | R3,000 |
The main grant amount can be lower if you have other income, because of its means test. The grant-in-aid itself isn’t reduced by income. See every figure on our SASSA grant amounts page.
Documents you need
- Your 13-digit ID or smart ID card.
- Proof that you already receive a qualifying grant, such as your SASSA letter or a bank statement showing the payment.
- A medical report on SASSA’s form, completed by a doctor, confirming you need full-time care.
- Details of the person who cares for you. SASSA may ask for their ID and an affidavit.
If your doctor’s report is old, get a new one before you apply. Recent reports are less likely to be questioned.
How to apply for the SASSA grant-in-aid
- Ask SASSA, your clinic or your doctor for the grant-in-aid medical form.
- Have a doctor examine you and complete the form.
- Go to your SASSA office with your ID, the medical report and your caregiver’s details. If you can’t travel, a family member can go with a letter from you and a doctor’s note, or you can ask SASSA about a home visit.
- Fill in the application with a SASSA official and keep your receipt.
- Wait for SASSA’s decision in writing. If you’re refused, you can ask for reconsideration and appeal within 90 days.
You can apply for the grant-in-aid at the same time as your disability or older person’s grant, or later if your condition gets worse. Our guides to the disability grant and the old age grant cover those applications.
How the grant-in-aid is paid
- It’s paid to the grant holder, not directly to the caregiver.
- It’s added to your main grant and paid on the same day, into the same account or card.
- Older persons are paid on the first payment day of the month and disability grants on the second. See our SASSA payment dates page.
- If your main grant is suspended, for example after a review, the grant-in-aid stops too.
SASSA may review whether you still need full-time care, especially if your condition improves. Respond to any review SMS quickly. Our grant review guide explains the process.
Grant-in-aid vs care dependency grant
| Grant-in-aid | Care dependency grant | |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | Adults on an older person’s, disability or war veterans grant | Caregivers of children under 18 with a severe disability |
| Amount (2026) | R580 extra | R2,400 |
| Stand-alone grant? | No, it’s added to a main grant | Yes |
| Means test | No separate test | Yes, on the caregiver’s income |
| Medical proof | Need for full-time care | Severe, permanent disability |
Read more in our care dependency grant guide. For how all the grants fit together, see our guide to SASSA grants.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SASSA grant-in-aid in 2026?
R580 a month from April 2026, paid on top of an older person’s, disability or war veterans grant.
Who qualifies for the grant-in-aid?
People who already get an older person’s, disability or war veterans grant and, because of their condition, need full-time care from another person, as certified by a doctor.
Can I get the grant-in-aid on its own?
No. It is only paid together with an older person’s, disability or war veterans grant.
Is the grant-in-aid means-tested?
There is no separate means test for the grant-in-aid. Your main grant is means-tested.
Is the grant-in-aid paid to the caregiver?
No. It is paid to the grant holder, who can use it to pay for their care.
Can a child get the grant-in-aid?
No. For a child who needs full-time care, the caregiver can apply for the care dependency grant instead.
How do I apply for the SASSA grant-in-aid?
Get a doctor to complete SASSA’s medical form, then apply at a SASSA office with your ID and the report.
About this guide
Written and checked by N Chris, for SASSA Status Check Help. This guide was checked against section 12 of the Social Assistance Act, Regulation 8 of its regulations, Parliament’s Budget summary and GroundUp. We are not SASSA. Read how we verify information.