Who qualifies for SASSA?

In this blog post, we will delve into the eligibility criteria for Sassa grants. The Sassa eligibility for these grants is based on factors such as age, income, disability, and dependency. Income thresholds are typically considered to determine financial need.

Below is the list of the general criteria every beneficiary must fall under before categorizing into the othe grant sectors.

  • The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa.
  • Must not be less than 60 years old.
  • The applicant must not receive another social grant for him or herself.
  • The applicant and spouse must comply with the means test.
  • The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution.
  • The applicant must submit a 13-digit bar-coded identity document.

SASSA provides grants and allowances to categories of people vulnerable to poverty and in need of state support to improve their standard of living. The following are the types of grants that SASSA offers :

  • Child support grants
  • Foster child grant
  • Care dependency grant
  • Disability grant
  • Grant in Aid
  • Older person’s grant
  • War veteran’s grants
  • Social relief of distress grant
  • COVID-19 Social relief of Distress grant

Below are the specific Grant Criteria:

Older Persons Grant:

  • Age: 60 years or older.
  • No other social grant.
  • Not cared for in a state institution.
  • Income and asset limits apply.

Disability Grant:

  • Age: 18 to 59 years.
  • Not cared for in a state institution.
  • Medical assessment confirming disability.
  • Income and asset limits apply.

Child Support Grant:

  • Primary caregiver of a child under 18.
  • The child and caregiver live in South Africa.
  • Income and asset limits apply.

Grant in Aid:

  • Requires proof of needing full-time care due to disability or frailty.
  • No specific age requirement.
  • Income and asset limits apply.

You can apply for the child support grant by filling in an application form at your nearest SASSA Office or counter service point of a Regional Office. The application is free.

Your application form will be completed in the presence of an officer of SASSA. When your application is completed, you’ll be given a receipt. The receipt must be kept as proof of your application.

You’ll also need to show certain documents and provide some information, including:

  • your South African identity document (ID), which must be bar-coded,
  • the child’s birth certificate, which must have an ID number, 
  • your salary slip, bank statements for 3 months, or pension slips, and any other proof of income,
  • if you’re unemployed, your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) card – “blue book” – or a discharge certificate from your previous employer,
  • if you’re not the child’s parent or guardian, a written note of permission from the parent or guardian that you should take care of the child,
  • if you’re not the child’s parent or guardian, information about how you’ve tried to get the parents to pay maintenance,
  • information that shows that you’re the child’s primary caregiver.

When you make the application, you should say how you’d like the money to be paid. The money can be paid out in cash on specific days at a pay point, or the money can be paid electronically into your bank account.

Remember that normal bank charges apply to any money going in and out of your bank account. You can decide to change the payment method at any time by filling in a form, but the change will only happen a month later.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.