Grant-in-Aid Explained: Extra Support for Full-Time Care

Grant-in-Aid is one of the least understood SASSA grants, largely because it is not a grant you can get on its own. Instead, it is extra support for people who already receive certain grants but whose condition means they cannot look after themselves and need full-time care from another person. This article clears up how it works. For a broader map of all the grants, see which SASSA grant can I get.

What makes it different

Most grants are standalone: you apply, you qualify, you are paid. Grant-in-Aid is different because it sits on top of another grant. The idea is that some people who already receive support — for example, through the Older Persons Grant or the Disability Grant — have additional needs because they require constant care. Grant-in-Aid recognises that extra cost.

Who qualifies

To qualify, two things must be true at the same time. First, you must already receive a qualifying grant such as the Older Persons Grant, the Disability Grant, or the War Veterans Grant. Second, your physical or mental condition must be such that you need regular, full-time care from someone else. A medical assessment usually confirms this need.

How to apply

1. 1

   Confirm your qualifying grant

   Make sure you already receive an eligible grant such as the Older Persons Grant or the Disability Grant.
2. 2

   Get the medical confirmation

   A medical assessment confirms that you need full-time care from another person.
3. 3

   Apply through SASSA

   Apply for Grant-in-Aid at a SASSA office with your ID, the medical report and your existing grant details.

How it is paid

Grant-in-Aid is added to your existing grant payment, so you do not collect it separately. The exact amount is set by government and reviewed over time, so confirm the current figure with SASSA. Because it is tied to your main grant, keeping that grant active and your details up to date keeps the add-on flowing too.