The disability grant is a once-off payment to people who have a permanent disability, and who cannot work and have no other source of income. The grant helps to cover the costs associated with living with your condition. It’s received by people whose conditions are not severe enough to qualify for social welfare benefits, but whose health needs require medical aids such as wheelchairs, hearing aids and glasses.
How much can you get from a disability grant?
The maximum amount you may get as a disability grant is R1 980 per month. This amount is subject to change, but it has remained the same for many years now.
The Disability Grant is also commonly called the disability benefit, disability allowance or disability pension. It is financial support provided by the South African government to people who cannot work because of illness or injury.
You receive a disability grant from the day they approve your application, and not from the month in which you applied for it.
How do I receive my disability grant?
They pay the disability grant into an account at your nearest Standard Bank unless you, or someone else on your behalf, apply for a different bank or post office account.
Standard Bank is the only bank that can pay disability grants directly into their customers’ accounts. You must open an account with Standard Bank before they can process your application.
To open an account with Standard Bank:
- Visit any branch and fill out the forms
- Bring proof of identity and proof of address (e.g., a passport or ID book)
How to qualify for a disability grant?
You must have an identity book (ID) and a South African bank account in your own name to be eligible.
You must be a South African citizen.
You must be over the age of 18.
You cannot be married to a non-South African citizen.
Things to note
If you are deaf and blind, you may receive an additional monthly amount of R540.
They do not pay automatically this additional amount. You need to apply for it by completing the application form called Application for Blind Person’s Disability Grant (BPDG), which can be downloaded from this page: www.gov.za/forms/spssdg/.
How does the Disability Grant work?
The government reviews annually the Disability Grant, to reflect the needs of all recipients. It is not a pension, nor does it replace your salary. The grant aims to cover basic living expenses such as food and clothing, transport costs, school fees and medical expenses.
The grant may be increased if you have dependants such as children or a spouse/partner who depends on you financially.
Several grants can help you with some expenses related to living with a disability. These include the Disability Grant and the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities grant. You may also be eligible for one or both grants, depending on your circumstances.
Conclusion
The disability grant is a great way to supplement your income if you have a disability in South Africa. The amount of money you get depends on your situation and how much money you need. If you are working on getting this grant, apply as soon as possible so that the process doesn’t take longer than necessary.
