SASSA Disability Grant Extension

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has released a significant update regarding the extension of the Disability Grant. This update specifically concerns the Temporary Disability Grants that were set to expire, affecting individuals aged 59 who would turn 60 on or before December 31, 2023.

According to the official announcement, SASSA has confirmed that Temporary Disability Grants which were set to lapse on December 31, 2023, as well as in January of the upcoming year 2024, for those aged 59 and approaching 60 before December 31, 2023, will continue to be disbursed until the beneficiary reaches the age of 60.

SASSA Disability Grant Extension

Beneficiaries whose Temporary Disability Grants are scheduled to expire in late 2023 or early 2024 will receive notifications about the expiration and the absence of further extensions.

Minister Sharna Fernandez has also addressed concerns regarding transparency related to payments made to current Temporary Disability Grant beneficiaries. She has requested that this information be disclosed to enhance clarity.

When to Receive Temporary Disability Grants

The National Department of Social Development has introduced guidelines concerning Temporary Disability Grants, including:

1. Temporary Disability Grants that were set to expire in December 2024 or January 2025, or were due to expire in February or March 2024, for beneficiaries aged 59 and turning 60 by December 31, 2024, will continue until the beneficiary reaches 60 years.
2. Temporary Disability Grants paid with a grant-in-aid that expired in December 2024 or January 2025, or are due to expire in February or March 2024, will be paid on a precise schedule until the temporary disability grant expires.
3. The process for collecting disability grants follows similar provisions and is facilitated through procurators and administrators.

Differentiate Temporary and Permanent Disability Grants

There are two types of disability grants, permanent disability grants and temporary disability grants. A permanent disability grant is granted if the disability is expected to persist for over a year.

In contrast, a temporary disability grant is provided for disabilities lasting between six and 12 months. It’s important to note that a permanent disability grant does not guarantee lifelong support but rather support lasting longer than 12 months.

You can check the status of your SASSA disability grant for the latest updates to ensure you stay informed about the closure of your disability grant.

SASSA Status Check for Disability Grant