Grant in Aid pays an extra R580 a month, on top of an Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant, to people who cannot look after themselves and need full time care from another person. It rose from R560 to R580 on 1 April 2026. There is no separate means test.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Amount | R580 per month |
| Paid on top of | Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant |
| Means test | None of its own |
| Medical assessment | Required |
| Where to apply | Any SASSA office, in person |
| Cost to apply | Free |
| Effective from | 1 April 2026 |
This is one of the most underclaimed grants in South Africa, and the reason is simple. Most people who qualify have never heard of it.
What Grant in Aid actually is
It is not a standalone grant. You cannot apply for Grant in Aid on its own.
It is a top up. If you already receive the Older Persons Grant, the Disability Grant or the War Veterans Grant, and your physical or mental condition means you cannot care for yourself without somebody else helping you every day, SASSA will add R580 a month to what you already receive.
So an older person receiving R2 400 who needs full time care receives R2 980 in total.
Grant in Aid requirements
You qualify if all of the following are true.
- You already receive the Older Persons Grant, the Disability Grant or the War Veterans Grant. No other grant qualifies you.
- A medical officer confirms, in a formal assessment, that you need full time care from another person because of your physical or mental condition.
- You are not being cared for full time in a state funded institution.
That is the whole list. Note what is not on it.
There is no means test for Grant in Aid
This surprises people, and it is worth being clear about.
Grant in Aid has no income test and no asset test of its own. You have already passed a means test to hold the underlying grant, so SASSA does not run a second one. If you hold a qualifying grant and a medical officer confirms you need full time care, you qualify regardless of your income or assets.
If you are not yet receiving one of the three qualifying grants, that is the first hurdle, and it does involve a means test. Check where you stand with our SASSA means test calculator, or read how much can you earn and still get SASSA.
Grant in Aid amount for 2026
| Period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Before 1 April 2026 | R560 per month |
| From 1 April 2026 | R580 per month |
The increase was announced in the February 2026 Budget. The Child Support Grant went up by the same R20 at the same time.
A further adjustment is expected on 1 October 2026.
How to apply for Grant in Aid
Applications are made in person. There is no online route, and the form is not available for download. Six steps.
1. Get the medical assessment form first. Collect it free from any SASSA office before you see a doctor. Turning up at the doctor without it wastes a visit.
2. See a medical officer. A registered medical officer must complete the form and confirm that you need full time care from another person. Bring every medical record you have, including old hospital letters, specialist reports and prescription lists. The assessment must not be older than three months when you submit it.
3. Gather your documents.
- Your original 13 digit bar coded ID or smart ID card
- Proof that you already receive a qualifying grant, such as your SASSA card or a payment letter
- The completed medical assessment report
- Proof of residence, for example a utility bill or a sworn affidavit
4. Certify your copies. Certification is done by the SAPS or a commissioner of oaths, and certified copies must not be older than three months. SASSA checks the originals and keeps the copies.
5. Apply at a SASSA office. A SASSA officer completes the form with you. You will be given a receipt. Keep it. It is your proof that you applied.
6. Wait. Processing can take up to three months. If approved, the grant is backdated to the date of application.
The service is free from beginning to end. Nobody should be charging you to apply or offering to speed the process along.
If you cannot get to a SASSA office
If you are too ill, too old or too disabled to travel, which is likely if you qualify for this grant, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf using a power of attorney, or you can appoint a procurator at the SASSA office. A home visit can be arranged by phoning the SASSA call centre on 0800 60 10 11.
If your application is refused
SASSA must tell you in writing why it was unsuccessful. You then have 90 days from the date of that notification to appeal to the Minister of Social Development at the national Department of Social Development.
Keeping the grant once you have it
SASSA reviews grants, and it notifies you three months in advance of a review or of a life certificate falling due. If you are asked to confirm you are still alive and still eligible and you do not respond, payments can be suspended. Our guide to SASSA proof of life explains what is required and how to complete it.
Two other points worth knowing. If you are admitted to an institution that has a contract with the state to care for you, the grant is reduced to 25 percent of the maximum from the fourth month after admission, and reinstated in full on the day you are discharged.
How we worked this out
Grant values are drawn from the 2026 Budget Review published by National Treasury and statements issued by Parliament and the Department of Social Development. Eligibility criteria and the application process are taken from the SASSA and gov.za grant pages.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Grant in Aid? R580 a month from 1 April 2026, up from R560. It is paid on top of your existing grant, not instead of it.
Can I apply for Grant in Aid on its own? No. You must already receive the Older Persons, Disability or War Veterans Grant.
Is there a means test for Grant in Aid? No. It has no income or asset test of its own. You passed one to get the underlying grant, and SASSA does not repeat it.
Does the Child Support Grant qualify me for Grant in Aid? No. Only the Older Persons, Disability and War Veterans grants do.
What if I am cared for in a state institution? You do not qualify for Grant in Aid, because the state is already funding your full time care.
How long does the application take? Up to three months. If approved, payment is backdated to the day you applied.
This page is a guide. SASSA makes the final decision on every application. Grant values reflect the amounts effective 1 April 2026 and may be adjusted on 1 October 2026.
