South Africa · Disability Grant · SASSA
Independent informational guide · Last reviewed 4 July 2026
The SASSA Disability Grant provides up to R2,400 per month to an eligible adult whose physical or mental disability makes them unfit to work for longer than six months.
Approval is not based only on the name of a condition or diagnosis. SASSA also considers the medical or functional impact, expected duration, age, residence, income, assets and other eligibility rules.
What is the SASSA Disability Grant?
The Disability Grant is a social grant administered by the South African Social Security Agency for eligible adults between the ages of 18 and 59.
It may apply when a physical or mental disability makes a person unfit to work for a continuous period longer than six months.
The existence of a diagnosis does not by itself guarantee approval. SASSA requires medical or functional evidence and assesses the application against all applicable rules.
How much is the Disability Grant in 2026?
From April 2026, the published maximum Disability Grant amount is R2,400 per month.
This is the maximum amount, not a guaranteed flat payment for every approved applicant. The Disability Grant is subject to a means test, and official guidance states that it may operate on a sliding scale.
Current official pages do not present one clearly consistent set of updated numerical means-test limits. Confirm the applicable limits directly with SASSA rather than relying on an older screenshot or forwarded message.
Who may qualify?
SASSA assesses every application individually. The main published requirements include:
- ✓ Be between 18 and 59 years old.
- ✓ Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee residing in South Africa.
- ✓ Have a physical or mental disability that is expected to make you unfit to work for longer than six months.
- ✓ Undergo the required medical or functional assessment.
- ✓ Provide clinical information or an appropriate referral form.
- ✓ Meet the applicable means test for income and assets.
- ✓ Not be maintained or cared for in a state-funded institution.
- ✓ Not receive another main social grant in respect of yourself.
Temporary and permanent Disability Grants
Temporary Disability Grant
A temporary grant may be considered when the disability is expected to continue for a period of at least six months but no longer than 12 months.
The temporary grant may lapse when its approved period expires. If the condition continues, contact SASSA before or as soon as the grant expires to confirm whether a new application or assessment is required.
Permanent Disability Grant
A permanent grant may be considered when the disability is expected to continue for more than 12 months.
“Permanent” does not mean that payment is guaranteed for life. The grant can still be reviewed, suspended or stopped if the beneficiary’s circumstances or eligibility change.
Are mental health conditions considered?
The official rules refer to both physical and mental disabilities. A mental health condition may therefore be considered when its functional effect makes the applicant unfit to work for the required period.
There is no reliable public list showing that a specific diagnosis is automatically approved. The assessment considers the medical evidence, functional impact, expected duration and the other qualifying rules.
Medical assessment and documents
The applicant must undergo the required medical or functional assessment and provide clinical information supporting the application.
The medical assessment used for the application must not be older than three months at the date of application.
Supporting documents may include:
- ✓ Valid identification or an alternative form of identification accepted by SASSA.
- ✓ Refugee permit where the applicant is applying as a recognised refugee.
- ✓ Signed and stamped clinical referral information from the treating practitioner or institution.
- ✓ Proof of marital status, where applicable.
- ✓ Recent payslips and three months of statements for relevant bank accounts.
- ✓ Information about income, assets, investments, pensions and permissible deductions.
SASSA may request additional documents during the individual screening process.
How to start an application
Applicants may use the official SASSA Services Portal to book a disability-related assessment. After completing the assessment, the application and certified supporting documents may be submitted online.
People who cannot access the online service can visit a SASSA local office for assistance.
- 1 Review the age, residence, medical and financial requirements.
- 2 Obtain the requested clinical or referral documentation.
- 3 Book the required assessment online or ask a SASSA office for assistance.
- 4 Complete the assessment and submit the application with the requested documents.
- 5 Keep the receipt, reference details and copies of everything submitted.
Access the official SASSA Services Portal or contact a verified SASSA office for assistance.
What happens after the application?
Processing may take up to three months. If the application is approved, payment is generally due from the valid application date, provided the application was complete and met the requirements.
If the application is unsuccessful, SASSA should provide a written decision explaining the reason.
If an application was previously declined
A previous refusal does not necessarily prevent a person from ever qualifying, but the next step depends on why the application was refused.
Consider an appeal when:
The applicant believes that the decision was incorrect based on the information and circumstances that existed when the application was assessed.
An appeal for an ordinary social grant must be lodged within 90 days of receiving notification of the decision.
A new application may be relevant when:
The person’s medical or financial circumstances have materially changed, a temporary condition has continued, or SASSA specifically advises that a new application is required.
Reviews, suspended payments and status enquiries
Approval does not guarantee that payment will continue under every future circumstance. SASSA may review continued eligibility and request updated information.
A grant may be affected by:
- × The expiry of a temporary Disability Grant.
- × A change in financial, marital, residential or other relevant circumstances.
- × Failure to cooperate with a review or verification process.
- × Failure to provide required or missing documents.
- × Misrepresentation, fraud or an approval made in error.
- × No longer meeting the applicable eligibility requirements.
This website cannot check whether an individual grant is active. For an ordinary Disability Grant enquiry, use one of the official contact methods:
- Visit a SASSA local office.
- Call 0800 60 10 11.
- Email GrantsEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
Grant amounts, eligibility rules, means-test requirements and procedures can change. Confirm important information through an official channel before applying or travelling.
- South African Government — Disability Grant
- SASSA Services Portal — Grant information
- SASSA Services Portal — Online services
- South African Government — Online Disability Grant applications
- Department of Social Development — 2026/2027 grant increases
- Department of Social Development — You and Your Grant 2026
- SASSA official contact details
Grants enquiry email: GrantsEnquiries@sassa.gov.za