Key takeaways
- SASSA offers several different grants, each aimed at a specific group of people.
- Most grants use a means test, which looks at your income and assets.
- You can only receive certain grants at the same time — others cannot be combined.
- Choosing the right grant before you apply saves time and avoids unnecessary declines.
SASSA — the South African Social Security Agency — administers a range of social grants on behalf of the government. Each grant is designed for a particular group: older people, children, people with disabilities, caregivers, and adults in temporary distress. Applying for the wrong one is a common cause of delays, so this guide gives you a plain-language map of what exists and who each grant is for. When you have found the right fit, our guide to applying for SASSA grants takes you through the next steps.
The SRD R370 grant
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a temporary grant for adults who have little or no income and are not receiving other support. It is assessed month by month and is the grant most people mean when they talk about “the R370”. Read the full breakdown in our SRD R370 explained article, or see the dedicated SRD R370 page.
The Older Persons Grant
Often called the old-age pension, this grant supports South Africans who have reached the qualifying age and pass the means test. It is one of the most widely received grants. Our Older Persons Grant guide explains eligibility and how it is paid.
The Child Support Grant
The Child Support Grant helps the primary caregiver of a child cover basic needs. It is not only for parents — a grandparent or another primary caregiver can apply. See our Child Support Grant guide for who counts as a caregiver and what is required.
The Disability Grant
The Disability Grant supports adults who are unable to work because of a physical or mental disability, confirmed through a medical assessment. Our Disability Grant guide covers the medical assessment and the difference between permanent and temporary awards.
Care Dependency and Foster Child grants
The Care Dependency Grant supports the caregiver of a child with a severe disability who needs full-time care. The Foster Child Grant supports a child who has been placed in foster care by a court. You can read more on the Care Dependency Grant page and the Foster Child Grant page.
Grant-in-Aid
Grant-in-Aid is an add-on for someone who already receives a grant such as the Older Persons or Disability Grant but needs full-time care from another person. Because it is an add-on, you must already receive a qualifying grant to get it. See our Grant-in-Aid explained article.
A quick comparison
| Grant | Mainly for | Means test? |
|---|---|---|
| SRD R370 | Adults with little or no income | Yes, monthly |
| Older Persons | People of pension age | Yes |
| Child Support | Primary caregivers of children | Yes |
| Disability | Adults unable to work due to disability | Yes |
| Care Dependency | Caregivers of severely disabled children | Yes |
| Grant-in-Aid | Grant holders needing full-time care | Add-on |
Amounts and thresholds change
Can you receive more than one grant?
Some combinations are allowed and some are not. For example, you generally cannot receive more than one grant for yourself at the same time, but a caregiver receiving a Child Support Grant for a child may still receive their own Older Persons Grant. Grant-in-Aid is specifically designed to be received on top of a qualifying grant. If you are unsure, ask SASSA directly before applying.
