Temporary vs Permanent Disability Grant (Differences)
Understanding the difference between Temporary and Permanent Disability Grants is essential when applying for SASSA disability support. The type of grant you receive depends on the nature and expected duration of your disability. This comprehensive guide explains the key differences, eligibility criteria, duration, review requirements, and which grant applies to your situation in South Africa.
Overview of Disability Grant Types
Two Types of Disability Grants
1. Temporary Disability Grant:
- For disabilities expected to improve or resolve
- Awarded for specific period (typically 6-12 months)
- Requires periodic review and renewal
- May be extended if disability continues
2. Permanent Disability Grant:
- For permanent disabilities unlikely to improve
- Continues indefinitely (as long as eligible)
- Less frequent reviews
- No need to reapply
Grant Amount (Both Types)
- Monthly Amount: R2,080 per month (2026)
- Payment Frequency: Monthly
- Payment Method: Bank transfer, SASSA card, or Post Office collection
- Amount is Same: Both grant types pay the same amount
Temporary Disability Grant
Characteristics
Key Features:
- Disability is temporary or expected to improve
- Medical prognosis indicates recovery potential
- Awarded for specific time period
- Requires periodic medical review
- May need to reapply when period ends
Typical Duration:
- Initially 6-12 months
- May be extended if disability continues
- Ends when disability resolves
- Requires medical reassessment for extension
Eligibility Criteria
Must Meet:
- Have temporary disability
- Medical assessment confirms temporary nature
- Disability prevents employment
- Meet age requirements (18-59)
- Meet means test (income and assets)
- Be South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
Medical Requirements:
- Medical assessment confirms temporary disability
- Doctor indicates expected recovery
- Prognosis shows improvement potential
- Disability expected to resolve within reasonable time
Common Temporary Disabilities
Examples:
- Recovery from surgery
- Temporary injuries
- Short-term medical conditions
- Conditions expected to improve with treatment
- Temporary mental health conditions
- Recovery from accidents
Review and Renewal Process
Periodic Reviews:
- Medical reassessment required
- Typically every 6-12 months
- Doctor evaluates if disability continues
- Grant extended if disability persists
- Grant ends if disability resolves
Renewal Requirements:
- Updated medical assessment
- Doctor confirms disability continues
- Reapply or renew grant
- Provide updated medical documentation
- May need to visit SASSA office
When Grant Ends
Grant Ends When:
- Disability resolves or improves significantly
- Medical assessment shows recovery
- Review period expires and disability resolved
- You no longer meet eligibility criteria
- You fail to attend required reviews
Permanent Disability Grant
Characteristics
Key Features:
- Disability is permanent and unlikely to improve
- Medical prognosis indicates permanence
- Continues indefinitely (as long as eligible)
- Less frequent reviews
- No need to reapply
Duration:
- Continues for life (as long as eligible)
- No expiration date
- Regular payments continue
- Only ends if eligibility changes
Eligibility Criteria
Must Meet:
- Have permanent disability
- Medical assessment confirms permanent nature
- Disability prevents employment
- Meet age requirements (18-59)
- Meet means test (income and assets)
- Be South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
Medical Requirements:
- Medical assessment confirms permanent disability
- Doctor indicates disability is permanent
- Prognosis shows no significant improvement expected
- Disability is long-term or lifelong
Common Permanent Disabilities
Examples:
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Severe intellectual disabilities
- Permanent mental health conditions
- Chronic conditions with no cure
- Conditions with no recovery expected
Review Process
Periodic Reviews:
- Less frequent than temporary grants
- May be reviewed every few years
- Or when circumstances change
- Medical reassessment may be required
- Verification of continued eligibility
Review Requirements:
- May need updated medical assessment
- Verify disability still exists
- Confirm continued eligibility
- Update information if needed
- Cooperate with review process
When Grant Continues
Grant Continues When:
- Disability remains permanent
- You continue to meet eligibility criteria
- Means test still met
- You remain in South Africa
- No significant changes in circumstances
Key Differences Summary
Duration
Temporary Grant:
- Specific time period (6-12 months typically)
- Requires renewal
- Ends when disability resolves
- Time-limited
Permanent Grant:
- Continues indefinitely
- No expiration
- Continues for life
- Long-term support
Review Requirements
Temporary Grant:
- Frequent reviews (every 6-12 months)
- Regular medical reassessments
- Must renew periodically
- More administrative requirements
Permanent Grant:
- Less frequent reviews
- Occasional verification
- No regular renewal needed
- Less administrative burden
Medical Assessment
Temporary Grant:
- Regular medical reassessments required
- Doctor evaluates recovery progress
- Assesses if disability continues
- Determines if extension needed
Permanent Grant:
- Initial comprehensive assessment
- Less frequent reassessments
- Verification of continued disability
- May review if circumstances change
Application Process
Temporary Grant:
- Apply initially
- Reapply or renew when period ends
- Provide updated medical assessments
- More frequent application activity
Permanent Grant:
- Apply once
- No need to reapply
- Continues automatically
- Less application activity
Determining Which Grant Applies
Medical Assessment Determines Type
Doctor's Assessment:
- Doctor evaluates disability
- Determines if temporary or permanent
- Provides prognosis
- Makes recommendation
- SASSA uses assessment to determine grant type
Factors Considered:
- Nature of disability
- Expected recovery
- Medical prognosis
- Treatment outcomes
- Long-term outlook
If Disability Changes
Temporary to Permanent:
- If disability becomes permanent
- May convert to permanent grant
- Requires medical reassessment
- Update SASSA of change
- Grant type may change
Permanent to Resolved:
- If permanent disability improves significantly
- May no longer qualify
- Grant may end
- Requires medical reassessment
- Update SASSA of change
Application Process Differences
Temporary Grant Application
Initial Application:
- Apply with medical assessment
- Doctor indicates temporary disability
- Grant awarded for specific period
- Receive approval for time period
Renewal Process:
- Reapply or renew before period ends
- Provide updated medical assessment
- Doctor confirms disability continues
- Grant extended if eligible
Permanent Grant Application
Initial Application:
- Apply with medical assessment
- Doctor indicates permanent disability
- Grant awarded indefinitely
- Receive approval for permanent grant
Ongoing Process:
- No renewal needed
- Continues automatically
- Periodic reviews may occur
- Update SASSA if circumstances change
Payment Differences
Payment Amount
Both Grant Types:
- Same monthly amount: R2,080 (2026)
- Same payment frequency: Monthly
- Same payment methods available
- No difference in payment amount
Payment Duration
Temporary Grant:
- Payments for specific period
- Payments end when period expires
- May be extended if renewed
- Time-limited payments
Permanent Grant:
- Payments continue indefinitely
- No expiration of payments
- Continues for life
- Long-term payments
Maintaining Your Grant
Temporary Grant Maintenance
Ongoing Requirements:
- Attend periodic medical reviews
- Provide updated medical assessments
- Renew grant before expiration
- Cooperate with review process
- Update SASSA if disability changes
Important Actions:
- Keep track of renewal dates
- Schedule medical assessments in advance
- Submit renewal applications on time
- Maintain medical documentation
Permanent Grant Maintenance
Ongoing Requirements:
- Continue to meet means test
- Update SASSA if circumstances change
- Participate in periodic reviews (if required)
- Notify SASSA of significant changes
- Remain in South Africa
Important Actions:
- Keep information updated
- Respond to review requests
- Maintain eligibility
- Report changes promptly
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Recovery from Surgery
Situation: Temporary disability from surgery, expected to recover
Grant Type: Temporary Disability Grant
Duration: 6-12 months typically
Review: Medical reassessment before period ends
Outcome: Grant ends when recovered, or extended if recovery delayed
Scenario 2: Permanent Paralysis
Situation: Permanent paralysis from accident, no recovery expected
Grant Type: Permanent Disability Grant
Duration: Indefinite (for life)
Review: Occasional verification
Outcome: Grant continues as long as eligible
Scenario 3: Temporary Mental Health Condition
Situation: Temporary mental health crisis, expected to improve with treatment
Grant Type: Temporary Disability Grant
Duration: 6-12 months, may be extended
Review: Regular medical reassessments
Outcome: Grant continues until condition improves
Scenario 4: Permanent Blindness
Situation: Permanent blindness, no recovery expected
Grant Type: Permanent Disability Grant
Duration: Indefinite (for life)
Review: Less frequent reviews
Outcome: Grant continues as long as eligible
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between temporary and permanent grants?
Temporary grants are for disabilities expected to improve, awarded for specific periods (6-12 months), and require renewal. Permanent grants are for permanent disabilities, continue indefinitely, and don't require renewal.
Do both grants pay the same amount?
Yes, both Temporary and Permanent Disability Grants pay R2,080 per month in 2026.
How long does a temporary grant last?
Temporary grants typically last 6-12 months initially, but may be extended if the disability continues.
Do I need to reapply for a permanent grant?
No, permanent grants continue automatically and don't require reapplication. However, you may need to participate in periodic reviews.
Can a temporary grant become permanent?
Yes, if a temporary disability becomes permanent, the grant may be converted to a permanent grant after medical reassessment.
What happens when a temporary grant expires?
When a temporary grant expires, you need to renew it with an updated medical assessment if the disability continues, or the grant ends if the disability has resolved.
How often are temporary grants reviewed?
Temporary grants are typically reviewed every 6-12 months, requiring medical reassessment and renewal.
How often are permanent grants reviewed?
Permanent grants have less frequent reviews, which may occur every few years or when circumstances change.
Who decides if my disability is temporary or permanent?
The medical assessment from an approved doctor determines whether your disability is temporary or permanent, and SASSA uses this assessment to determine grant type.
Can I appeal if I disagree with the grant type?
Yes, you can appeal the decision if you believe the grant type determination was incorrect. Provide supporting medical evidence.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between Temporary and Permanent Disability Grants helps you know what to expect and how to maintain your grant. Temporary grants provide support for disabilities expected to improve, while permanent grants provide long-term support for permanent disabilities. Both grants pay the same amount but have different durations, review requirements, and maintenance needs.
For more information about applying for disability grants, medical assessments, or payment dates, explore our other comprehensive Disability Grant guides.
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