The Grant-in-Aid is a social grant intended to provide for the basic needs of adults who are unable to care for themselves and are certified by a medical officer to

be in need of full-time care from someone else. The Grant-in-Aid is provided as an additional grant to adults who are already receiving an Older Person’s Grant, a Disability Grant or a War Veteran’s Grant. The Grant-in-Aid is not paid out on its own – it must be in addition to a main social grant. Please note this grant is paid out to the person receiving the main grant, and not to their assistant. In addition, note that there is no means test for the Grant-in-Aid. (See: Problem 8: Person Receiving an Older Person’s Grant Needs Full Time Care)

In order to apply for a Grant-in-Aid you must:

• Be a South Africa citizen, or a permanent resident
• Be a South Africa citizen, or a permanent resident, or a refugee in respect of the Disability Grant
• Be resident in South Africa at the time of application
• Be receiving an adult social grant
• Require full-time care by another person due to a physical or mental disability.
• Not be cared for in a wholly funded state institution

What do you need in order to apply?

• A South African bar-coded identity document to prove identity, citizenship and age
• A medical report or medical assessment report (less than 3 months old)
• If single, an affidavit stating this fact
• A marriage certificate, if you are married
• Divorce papers if you are divorced
• A death certificate, if your husband or wife died
• If you are employed, a wage certificate
• If you are unemployed, any UIF record of registration, discharge certificate from your previous employer
• If you have a private pension, proof of the pension
• If you have a bank account, bring a bank statement of three consecutive months
• Proof of any other income and assets

NOTE

You can also apply for a Grant-in-Aid at the same time as you apply for an Older Person’s Grant, Disability Grant or War Veteran’s Grant if you cannot look after yourself and need full-time care.