There are three stages in the process of applying for a grant:

1. APPLICATION PROCESS: Filling in the application forms, taking fingerprints, interview with SASSA officer (2 hours)
2. NOTIFICATION PROCESS: Letter of approval or rejection (less than 3 months/ 30 working days after application)
3. APPEALS PROCESS: Appeals of the decision (within 90 days of receiving letter of rejection)

STAGE 1: APPLICATION PROCESS

The application for the social assistance grants is free and should not take longer than 2 hours. This has to be done at a SASSA office.

You must take all your proof to the nearest SASSA District office or counter service point. Some of the forms that you are required to complete will be given to you and you will need to have these correctly filled in.

You will first have to fill in an application form in the presence of a SASSA officer. After this there will be an interview, fingerprints will be taken, and then you must present information to prove your means (income and assets) to see if you qualify under the means test. The documents will be verified by another SASSA officer. All information that you provide during the application process will need to be signed by you as being true and correct. When the application is made, you should say how you would like the money to be paid. (See Getting Paid)

In addition, if you are applying for a Disability Grant, the following steps will be taken:

• The SASSA officer will send you to a state medical doctor – or a doctor contracted by SASSA – for a medical examination to assess your disability.

You should show all medical records, even old records from another doctor or hospital to the doctor.

• You must take the doctor’s certificate or assessment panel’s report back to the SASSA officer.

Please check the correct procedure with your SASSA office. In some cases when the application process is completed, you will get a receipt and a copy of the completed application form. This receipt is the only proof of application that you have and should therefore be kept safe. Check that the following is on the receipt: date of application, official stamp, name of applicant, and name of SASSA officer. However, in other places SASSA will collect the form and it will not be given to you. Please note that the medical assessment is free of charge for the applicant.

STAGE 2: NOTIFICATION PROCESS

It will take about thirty working days for your application to be processed and checked and either approved or refused.

If your application is approved it must be dated and in the language that you prefer.

If the application is approved, you should start getting payments within 3 months. Payments will be backdated to the day you applied for the grant. If you have not received payment within 3 months, you can find out what has happened to the application and when you can expect payment by contacting the following number: SASSA toll-free helpline on 0800 601 011.

If the application is rejected, the rejection must be made in writing in the language that you prefer and it must advise you on your right to appeal and the process to follow.

STAGE 3: APPEALS PROCESS

If the application is rejected, a letter of appeal can be written to the Minister of Social Development explaining why you do not agree with the decision. This

appeal must be sent (lodged) within 90 days of receiving the letter of rejection. The Minister reviews the appeal and may decide to overturn the decision of rejection or may agree with the first assessment.

The Minister may also appoint an independent tribunal which has to deal with the matter within 30 days. If the matter has been referred to a tribunal, you must be given a chance to address the tribunal. The Minister must inform you, within 30 days of the finalization of the tribunal process, of the tribunal’s conclusion.