The disability grant in South Africa is the principal helping income; while being on it, a recipient is unable to carry out any kind of income-generating activity, for either permanent or severe disability. Talking about social-grant adjustments for 2025, the amount of R2,320 is randomly mentioned for the disability grant, with official pronouncements usually mentioning R2,315. Therefore, this article outlines the criteria for qualifying for a disability grant and when one should expect payments.
Current State of Disbursement & Expected Rise
Most recently, the raising of the disability grant in some form in 2025 was reported on in the latest SASSA accounts and the media.
The whole issue drew heavier debate, culminating with the setting of the disability grant to a sum of R2,315 per month in the National Budget of April 2025; this is the amount that would be considered despite the many informal mentions of R2,320- either rounding-off or a slight adjustment awaiting formal confirmation in future. Until now, it has been stated in the official documentation by SASSA that the amount is R2,315.
Beneficiaries should always keep an eye on official SASSA announcements regarding grant payments.
Payment date: When was the payment effected for October 2025?
SASSA has confirmed that the payment for the disability grant will be effected on Friday, 3 October 2025.
It will serve the regular time for this purpose: Older persons grants on the 2nd, disability grants on the 3rd, and the grants for the children and any other types of grants on the 6th.
Similarly, wherever the payment has been effected, it shall be available to be withdrawn from any payment point the applicant chooses on the very same day, such as bank accounts and SASSA cards. But do not rush to make your first withdrawal on the very first day; you will want to resist because the funds are so easy to access.
Qualification & Eligibility: Who can qualify for the disability grant?
A person must meet very stringent criteria for a disability grant by SASSA in 2025 under the Social Assistance Act. Some of these include:
- Age, Citizenship & Residency: Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident or recognized as a refugee, and at the time of application, one had to be residing in South Africa. Applicants must be those aged between 18 and 59 at the time of application.
- Medical Evaluation & Disability: The examination has to be carried out by a qualified medical practitioner appointed and/or accepted by the state. This doctor must also consider whether the degree of your disability is actually sufficient to prevent you from earning any income.
- Previous records shall contain anything available: medical assessment reports, functional assessment reports, including diagnostic documentation.
- Means Test (Income & Assets): Your income and your assets have to be less than the set thresholds. For example: the single applicant should earn less than R107,880 per annum (latest asset & income thresholds). And as for asset thresholds, it means that the total assets of one person shall not exceed a certain value.
- Not In-State Institution / Conflicting Grant: The concept is that a disabled individual shall not be admitted to care in a state institution. After admission, the grant payment would then be reduced with time. There shall be no double-grant claim for the same individual (so, one would be precluded from applying for and receiving a disability grant plus an overlapping grant).
- Documentation and Verification: Before or at application, submit your identity document with a 13-digit barcode, proof of residence, proof of income (if any), bank statement, medical reports, or any such instances that will be required for your application.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER APPLICATION AND WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Processing time: Applications for disability grants may be processed for up to three months before SASSA completes the process.
- Backdated payments: These payments, upon approval, will usually be made on a backdated basis to the date of application.
- Reviews and suspension: SASSA may institute review processes and may suspend or review your grant should there be a change in circumstances, such as an increase in income or medical improvement.
- Right of appeal: If you are refused, you have 90 days upon receipt of the decision to appeal.
For a quicker filing of the case, the claimant should submit the requested documents timely and respond to all calls for review made by SASSA.
also read : Good News for SASSA Grant Beneficiaries: Gold and Black Card Holders Secure Payments