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

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

STAGE 1: APPLICATION PROCESS

There are two ways to apply for a SASSA grant: in person at a SASSA office or online via the SASSA services website.

Applying for a SASSA grant in person

The application for the social assistance grants is free and should not take longer than 2 hours.This must 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.

Applying for a SASSA grant online

If you are applying for an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, or Grant-In-Aid, go to the SASSA services website to complete the online application: https://services.sassa.gov.za/portal/r/sassa/sassa/how-to?session=11434638410415

This is a summary of the steps to follow:

1. Connect to the SASSA services website on any device that has internet connectivity: https://services.sassa.gov.za
2. Register as a user to apply on the SASSA services website with your details by following the on-screen instructions.
3. Log in to the SASSA services website using your newly created username and password to start an application.
4. Click on Apply for a Grant and then specify the Grant Type you want to apply for, i.e. Older Person’s Grant or Child Support Grant or Foster Child Grant.
5. Complete the grant application form by supplying the necessary information.
6. Print SASSA generated affidavit and have it commissioned by the nearest Commissioner of Oath. Also print, sign and submit the Bank Payment Form with the affidavit.
7. Upload certified supporting documents in PDF format as indicated by the application form. The website will indicate the documents that you need to submit.
8. Submit your application and you will receive a confirmation of your submission with a reference number via e-mail or SMS. Use this reference number for any enquiries. This is the end of the process and SASSA will process the application and let you know of the outcome.

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

f the application is rejected, you should get a letter from SASSA giving reasons why you were turned down. If you want to appeal against this decision, you must first use the internal SASSA appeal mechanism which means you must submit a written ‘Application for Reconsideration’ to SASSA.

If SASSA does not change its decision, you must submit your appeal to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals. You must send them the following documents:

• Proof of your application
• Previous or current medical reports (if it is a disability grant application)
• Proof of your income and assets
• The SASSA rejection letter.

If this fails, 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.

CAN ANOTHER PERSON MAKE THE APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF AN APPLICANT?

If the application cannot be made by the caregiver or beneficiary because they are too old or sick, a friend or family member can bring a letter from them and a doctor’s note saying why the primary caregiver cannot visit the office themselves. A home visit may then be arranged. The Agency can also appoint a Procurator for this person. (See Can another person fetch an applicant’s grant?)