Grants

SASSA Disability Grant 2026

The Disability Grant pays R2,400 per month from 1 April 2026 to South Africans aged 18–59 whose disability prevents them from working for at least 6 months. Here's how the medical assessment works, what the means test looks at, and how to apply.

Updated 12 May 2026 • By Thandi Mokoena • Fact-checked

At a glance

Amount

R2,400/mo

Age

18–59

Converts to OAG at 60

Medical assessment

State doctor

Arranged by SASSA

Means test (single)

R8,990/month

+ R1.52m asset cap

Who qualifies

You must meet all of these:

Aged 18 to 59
South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
Living in South Africa
Disability confirmed by a state-appointed medical officer as preventing work for at least 6 months
Not receiving another SASSA grant for yourself
Not in a state-funded institution (state psychiatric hospital, prison, government-funded care home)
Pass the SASSA means test (income + assets)

Temporary vs permanent disability

Temporary Disability Grant

6 – 12 months

Awarded when the medical officer certifies your disability will prevent work for between 6 and 12 months. Same R2,400/month. The grant expires on the date specified, and you must reapply with a fresh medical assessment if your condition continues.

Permanent Disability Grant

12+ months

Awarded when the disability is expected to last more than 12 months with no reasonable prospect of returning to work. No expiry date, but SASSA can review (typically every 5 years or if your circumstances change).

Means test

The Disability Grant uses the same means test as the Older Persons Grant:

Threshold	Single	Married (combined)
Maximum monthly income	R8,990	R17,980
Maximum annual income	R107,880	R215,760
Maximum total assets	R1,524,600	R3,049,200

Primary residence and one daily-drive vehicle don't count as assets. Income includes wages, business income, private disability income protection (where it pays out), interest, dividends, rental and maintenance received.

The medical assessment

This is the most important part of a Disability Grant application. Some practical points:

· SASSA arranges it. You don't book your own doctor. A state-appointed medical officer assesses you at no cost to you.
· Validity is 3 months. The assessment must be no older than 3 months when SASSA processes your application.
· Functional capacity matters, not the diagnosis. The medical officer assesses whether your condition prevents you from holding down a job.
· Bring all medical records. Hospital files, specialist reports, X-rays, scan results. The more medical history the doctor has access to, the stronger the case.
· Mental-health conditions count. Severe depression, psychosis, post-traumatic stress and other psychiatric conditions can qualify if they prevent work.

Documents needed

Original 13-digit barcoded ID or Smart ID card
Medical assessment by a state-appointed doctor (arranged by SASSA, no older than 3 months at application)
Proof of income — payslips, bank statements, sworn affidavit if no income
Proof of assets — property valuation, vehicle papers, investment statements (if applicable)
Banking details (your own account)
Proof of residential address
Marriage / divorce / death certificate (whichever applies)
Spouse's ID and proof of income if married
UIF "blue book" or employer discharge certificate if previously employed

How to apply — step by step

1
Visit your nearest SASSA office

Bring your ID, proof of income, proof of address and any existing medical records (hospital files, specialist reports). You don't need a medical report to start.
2
Get booked for the SASSA medical assessment

A state-appointed doctor is assigned. SASSA gives you the appointment date and venue. The assessment is at no cost.
3
Attend the medical assessment

Bring all medical records. The doctor completes the SASSA medical form on the day. If they confirm a 6+ month inability to work, the application proceeds.
4
Complete the application form at SASSA

You'll be photographed and fingerprinted. The medical officer's assessment is attached to your file.
5
Sign the declaration

You confirm under oath that the income, asset and disability information is accurate.
6
Choose your payment method

Bank account in your name (fastest), Post Office cash collection, or a participating retailer.
7
Get your stamped receipt

Keep your case reference. SASSA must respond within 90 days.
8
Decision within 90 days

If approved, payment is backdated to the application date. If declined, you have 90 days to appeal.

Grant-in-Aid for full-time care

If your disability is severe enough that you need full-time care from another person (eating, bathing, dressing), you can claim Grant-in-Aid on top — R580/month from 1 April 2026. A doctor must certify the care need. Apply at the same SASSA office.

When you'll be paid

Disability Grants are paid the day after Older Persons Grants — typically the 4th of each month, or the next working day. For May 2026, Disability payments went out on Wednesday 6 May 2026.

Full schedule on the 2026/27 SASSA payment dates page.

Why Disability Grant applications get declined

Reason	What it means
Medical assessment failed	State doctor found you can still work. You can appeal with additional medical evidence.
Means test failed	Income or assets exceed the threshold (often from a private disability-income-protection payout).
Age out of range	You're under 18 (apply for Care Dependency Grant) or 60+ (apply for Older Persons Grant).
Already receiving a grant	You can only receive one social grant for yourself. Cancel the existing grant first.
Identity verification failed	Home Affairs couldn't verify your ID. Resolve with Home Affairs and reapply.

If you're declined, you have 90 days to lodge a reconsideration — see our SASSA appeal guide.

Scam alert

· SASSA doesn't charge for medical assessments or applications. Anyone asking for payment is committing fraud.
· Be wary of "private doctors" claiming they can guarantee a successful Disability Grant. SASSA only accepts assessments from its own appointed doctors.
· Never share your bank PIN or card. SASSA only needs your bank account number for payment.
· Report fraud: SASSA hotline 0800 701 701 (toll-free).

Frequently asked questions

How much is the SASSA Disability Grant in 2026?+

From 1 April 2026, the Disability Grant pays R2,400 per month — the same as the Older Persons Grant. The amount applies to both temporary and permanent disability grants.

What's the difference between temporary and permanent disability grants?+

A temporary grant is awarded when a state-appointed medical officer certifies that your disability prevents work for 6–12 months. A permanent grant is awarded when the disability is expected to last more than 12 months with no reasonable prospect of recovery. Both pay the same monthly amount, but temporary grants have an expiry date — you must reapply with a fresh medical assessment.

Who qualifies for the Disability Grant?+

You must be aged 18–59, a South African citizen / permanent resident / refugee, with a state-confirmed disability that prevents you from working for at least 6 consecutive months. You must also pass the same means test as the Older Persons Grant (R8,990/month income, R1.52m asset cap for single applicants).

What counts as a disability for SASSA?+

A medically-confirmed condition that prevents you from working for at least 6 months. SASSA's medical officer assesses functional capacity — mobility, strength, coordination, cognitive ability, vision, hearing, mental health. The deciding question is "can this person hold down a job?", not "what is the diagnosis?". Some chronic conditions (HIV/AIDS, TB, cancer in active treatment) often qualify; conditions managed effectively with medication usually don't.

Do I need to do my own medical assessment?+

No. SASSA arranges its own medical assessment with a state-appointed doctor at no cost to you. You may not use a private doctor's report. The assessment must be no older than 3 months at the date of application.

What happens at age 60?+

Your Disability Grant automatically converts to the Older Persons Grant when you turn 60. The amount stays the same (R2,400 for ages 60–74, R2,420 from age 75). You don't need to reapply.

Can I work while receiving the Disability Grant?+

Yes, but earnings count towards the means test. If your monthly income (from any source) exceeds R8,990, you no longer qualify. SASSA does have rehabilitation programmes that allow recipients to take on part-time work as part of returning to employment — speak to your local office.

Will I get Grant-in-Aid on top of my Disability Grant?+

Yes, potentially. If your disability is severe enough that you need full-time care from another person, you can apply for Grant-in-Aid (R580/month from April 2026) on top. A doctor must certify the care need.

Sources

· SASSA Disability Grant product page, sassa.gov.za.
· South African Government Services Portal (gov.za) — Disability Grant.
· Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act 13 of 2004) and Regulations.
· National Treasury Budget 2026 — social-grant amounts effective 1 April 2026.

Check

Means test calculator

For children

Care Dependency Grant

If declined

How to appeal