Can You Apply for Multiple SASSA Grants?
Many South Africans wonder if they can receive multiple SASSA grants simultaneously. The answer depends on the specific grants, eligibility requirements, and SASSA regulations. Understanding which grants can be combined, eligibility criteria, and application processes helps maximize your entitlements while staying compliant with SASSA rules. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about applying for and receiving multiple SASSA grants.
Understanding Multiple Grants
Can You Receive Multiple Grants?
General Rule:
- Yes, you can receive multiple grants in certain circumstances
- Depends on grant types and eligibility
- Must meet requirements for each grant
- Some combinations are allowed
- Some combinations are not allowed
Key Factors:
- Grant type combinations
- Eligibility for each grant
- Means test requirements
- Age and disability requirements
- Care dependency requirements
Allowed Grant Combinations
Combination 1: Old Age Grant + Grant-in-Aid
Allowed:
- Yes, you can receive both
- Old Age Grant (60+ years)
- Grant-in-Aid (if you need full-time care)
- Both grants can be received together
Requirements:
- Must be 60+ years (Old Age Grant)
- Must need full-time care (Grant-in-Aid)
- Must meet means test for both
- Medical assessment for Grant-in-Aid
Total Income:
- Old Age Grant: R2,090/month (2025)
- Grant-in-Aid: R500/month (2025)
- Combined: R2,590/month (2025)
Combination 2: Disability Grant + Grant-in-Aid
Allowed:
- Yes, you can receive both
- Disability Grant (permanently disabled)
- Grant-in-Aid (if you need full-time care)
- Both grants can be received together
Requirements:
- Must be permanently disabled (Disability Grant)
- Must need full-time care (Grant-in-Aid)
- Must meet means test for both
- Medical assessment for both grants
Total Income:
- Disability Grant: R2,090/month (2025)
- Grant-in-Aid: R500/month (2025)
- Combined: R2,590/month (2025)
Combination 3: Child Support Grant (Multiple Children)
Allowed:
- Yes, you can receive multiple Child Support Grants
- One grant per eligible child
- No limit on number of children
- All grants can be received together
Requirements:
- Each child must be under 18 years
- Each child must meet eligibility
- Primary caregiver receives grants
- No means test for Child Support Grant
Total Income:
- R510 per child per month (2025)
- Example: 3 children = R1,530/month
- Example: 5 children = R2,550/month
Combination 4: Foster Child Grant (Multiple Children)
Allowed:
- Yes, you can receive multiple Foster Child Grants
- One grant per foster child
- No limit on number of foster children
- All grants can be received together
Requirements:
- Each child must have court order
- Each child must be in foster care
- Foster parent receives grants
- Must meet requirements for each child
Total Income:
- R1,120 per foster child per month (2025)
- Example: 2 foster children = R2,240/month
- Example: 3 foster children = R3,360/month
Combination 5: Care Dependency Grant (Multiple Children)
Allowed:
- Yes, you can receive multiple Care Dependency Grants
- One grant per eligible child
- No limit on number of children
- All grants can be received together
Requirements:
- Each child must have severe disability
- Each child must need full-time care
- Medical assessment for each child
- Caregiver receives grants
Total Income:
- R2,090 per child per month (2025)
- Example: 2 children = R4,180/month
- Example: 3 children = R6,270/month
Not Allowed Combinations
Combination 1: Old Age Grant + Disability Grant
Not Allowed:
- Cannot receive both simultaneously
- Must choose one or the other
- Usually receive higher amount
- Cannot combine these grants
Why:
- Both are for same purpose (income support)
- Cannot receive two main grants
- Must choose most appropriate grant
Combination 2: Old Age Grant + SRD R350
Not Allowed:
- Cannot receive both simultaneously
- Old Age Grant recipients not eligible for SRD
- SRD is for unemployed persons
- Old Age Grant is income support
Why:
- Old Age Grant is considered income
- SRD requires no other income
- Cannot receive both grants
Combination 3: Disability Grant + SRD R350
Not Allowed:
- Cannot receive both simultaneously
- Disability Grant recipients not eligible for SRD
- SRD is for unemployed persons
- Disability Grant is income support
Why:
- Disability Grant is considered income
- SRD requires no other income
- Cannot receive both grants
Combination 4: Multiple Main Grants
Not Allowed:
- Cannot receive multiple main grants
- Old Age, Disability, War Veterans are main grants
- Can only receive one main grant
- Must choose most appropriate
Main Grants:
- Old Age Grant
- Disability Grant
- War Veterans Grant
- Cannot combine these
Eligibility for Multiple Grants
Meeting Requirements for Each Grant
Key Principle:
- Must meet requirements for each grant
- Each grant has own eligibility criteria
- Must qualify for each grant separately
- Cannot receive grant if not eligible
Requirements to Check:
- Age requirements
- Disability requirements
- Means test requirements
- Care dependency requirements
- Relationship requirements
Means Test for Multiple Grants
How It Works:
- Each grant may have means test
- Must meet means test for each grant
- Income and assets assessed separately
- Some grants have no means test
Grants with Means Test:
- Old Age Grant
- Disability Grant
- War Veterans Grant
- Grant-in-Aid
Grants without Means Test:
- Child Support Grant
- Foster Child Grant
- Care Dependency Grant (for child)
Application Process for Multiple Grants
Applying for Each Grant Separately
Process:
- Apply for each grant separately
- Complete application for each grant
- Provide documents for each grant
- Meet requirements for each grant
Steps:
- Apply for first grant
- Wait for approval
- Apply for second grant (if eligible)
- Provide required documents
- Wait for approval
Required Documents
For Each Grant:
- ID document
- Proof of income (if means-tested)
- Medical reports (if required)
- Court orders (if required)
- Proof of care (if required)
Multiple Applications:
- Provide documents for each grant
- May need multiple copies
- Ensure all documents current
- Submit with each application
Managing Multiple Grants
Payment Schedule
How Payments Work:
- Each grant paid separately
- May be on different dates
- Payments go to same account/card
- Total income is sum of all grants
Payment Dates:
- Old Age Grant: Specific date
- Child Support Grant: Specific date
- Other grants: Specific dates
- May receive payments on different days
Updating Information
For All Grants:
- Update banking details for all
- Update address for all
- Update contact details for all
- Keep information current
Process:
- Update each grant separately
- May need to visit office
- Provide updated information
- Ensure all grants updated
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Grandparent Caring for Grandchildren
Possible Grants:
- Old Age Grant (if 60+)
- Child Support Grant (for each grandchild)
- Grant-in-Aid (if needs care)
Total Income:
- Old Age: R2,090/month
- Child Support: R510 per child/month
- Grant-in-Aid: R500/month
- Combined: Significant monthly income
Scenario 2: Parent with Disabled Children
Possible Grants:
- Child Support Grant (for non-disabled children)
- Care Dependency Grant (for disabled children)
- Grant-in-Aid (if parent needs care)
Total Income:
- Child Support: R510 per child/month
- Care Dependency: R2,090 per disabled child/month
- Grant-in-Aid: R500/month
- Combined: Significant monthly income
Scenario 3: Foster Parent with Multiple Children
Possible Grants:
- Foster Child Grant (for each foster child)
- Child Support Grant (for biological children, if eligible)
Total Income:
- Foster Child: R1,120 per foster child/month
- Child Support: R510 per biological child/month
- Combined: Significant monthly income
Important Considerations
Maximum Income Limits
Means Test:
- Some grants have income limits
- Must stay within limits
- Income from other grants counts
- May affect eligibility
Example:
- Old Age Grant has income limit
- If receiving other grants, total income considered
- Must stay within means test limits
- May affect grant eligibility
Tax Implications
Tax on Grants:
- Most SASSA grants are not taxable
- However, total income may affect tax
- Consult tax advisor if needed
- Keep records of all grants
Reporting Requirements
If Circumstances Change:
- Must report changes to SASSA
- Changes may affect eligibility
- May need to update all grants
- Keep SASSA informed
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive Old Age Grant and Disability Grant together?
No, you cannot receive both Old Age Grant and Disability Grant simultaneously. You must choose one or the other, usually the one that provides the higher amount or is most appropriate for your situation.
Can I receive multiple Child Support Grants?
Yes, you can receive multiple Child Support Grants—one for each eligible child under 18 years. There is no limit on the number of children for whom you can receive the grant.
Can I receive Old Age Grant and Grant-in-Aid together?
Yes, you can receive both Old Age Grant and Grant-in-Aid together if you are 60+ years and need full-time care. Both grants can be received simultaneously.
Can I receive Disability Grant and Grant-in-Aid together?
Yes, you can receive both Disability Grant and Grant-in-Aid together if you are permanently disabled and need full-time care. Both grants can be received simultaneously.
Can I receive SRD R350 with another grant?
Generally, no. If you receive another SASSA grant (like Old Age, Disability, or Child Support), you are not eligible for the SRD R350 grant as it requires that you have no other income.
How many grants can I receive at once?
There is no specific limit on the number of grants you can receive, but you cannot receive multiple "main" grants (Old Age, Disability, War Veterans) simultaneously. You can receive one main grant plus Grant-in-Aid, plus multiple Child Support or Foster Child Grants.
Do I need to apply for each grant separately?
Yes, you must apply for each grant separately, complete the application process for each, and meet the eligibility requirements for each grant individually.
Will receiving multiple grants affect my means test?
Yes, income from other grants may be considered in means tests for grants that require them. The total income from all sources is typically considered when assessing means test eligibility.
Can I receive grants for children and also receive Old Age Grant?
Yes, if you are 60+ years and caring for children, you can receive both Old Age Grant and Child Support Grants (or other child-related grants) simultaneously.
What if I'm eligible for multiple grants but only applied for one?
You can apply for additional grants at any time if you meet the eligibility requirements. Contact SASSA to apply for additional grants you may be eligible for.
Conclusion
Yes, you can apply for and receive multiple SASSA grants in certain circumstances. Key combinations include Old Age or Disability Grant with Grant-in-Aid, multiple Child Support Grants, multiple Foster Child Grants, and multiple Care Dependency Grants. However, you cannot receive multiple "main" grants (Old Age, Disability, War Veterans) simultaneously, and you generally cannot receive SRD R350 with other grants. Each grant must be applied for separately, and you must meet the eligibility requirements for each grant. Understanding which grants can be combined helps maximize your entitlements while staying compliant with SASSA regulations.
For more information about specific grant eligibility, application processes, or grant management, explore our other comprehensive SASSA guides.
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