SASSA War Veterans Grant [2024] - A Detailed Application Guide

When we talk about national duty and national security, the first name that pops up in our minds is the army. Soldiers are the backbone of any country’s security, so the government must give the proper respect and facilities to these soldiers. Both world wars were fought using military power only and that’s why to support the South African retired soldiers SASSA provides war veterans grants.

The government of South Africa provides the war veterans grant to South African citizens who served as soldiers in the Second World War (1939-1945) or the Korean War (1950-1953). So if you are a former soldier who fought in these wars and are unable to support yourself, you can apply for a war veterans grant.

To qualify for this grant you must be 60 years old or above, disabled. You should not be the beneficiary of any other social grant. To receive the benefits of this grant, you have to pass the means test. It assesses your financial condition including your income and assets.

SASSA War Veterans Grant Eligibility Criteria

Any schemes announced by the government have some eligibility criteria. The war veterans grant also has eligiblity requirements. You must meet the following eligibility requirements to receive the grant –

You must be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
You must live in South Africa.
You must be 60 years and above or must be disabled
You must not receive any other social grant for yourself.
You must have fought in the Second World War (1939-1945) or the Korean War (1950-1953).
You and your spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
You must not be maintained and cared for in a State Institution (old age homes, rehabilitation centres, etc).
You must submit a 13-digit bar-coded identity or a smart card for yourself and your spouse.
Your annual income must not be more than R 86 280 if you are single or R172 560 if married.
You must not have assets worth more than R 1 227 600 if you are single or R 2 455 200 if you are married.

What is the Means Test For the SASSA War Veterans Grant?

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) awards grants based on a means test. It is a method of evaluating the applicant and his/her spouse’s income and assets. SASSA has given the threshold, so if your income and assets are below the threshold then only you will receive the benefits of the war veterans grant. As of 1 October 2023, the threshold is –

1) Income Threshold

If you are a single person then your annual income should not be more than R 97,320.
For a married person, the yearly income should not exceed R 194,640.

2) Asset Threshold

Asset possessed by a single person, should not be worth more than R 1,379,400.
If you are married then your combined assets worth should not be more than R 2,758,800.

The means test is not the same for each grant. It varies from one grant type to another.

Note – If you and your spouse live in the house owned by you, then its value will not be considered in the means test.

How much is the SASSA War Veterans Grant Amount?

From 1 October 2023, all grant amounts were increased by SASSA. So as per that War veteran’s grant amount is R2 110 per month. Generally, the grant amounts are increased in April or October month after the national budget speech. It is predicted that the war veterans grant will be increased by R10 from 1 April 2024.

Though SASSA has declared the grant amount as R2 110, the amount you receive may vary. It is because the war veterans grant is paid on a sliding scale. So if you have a more private income, you will receive less benefit from the government.

How to apply for the SASSA War Veterans Grant?

You can apply for a war veterans grant using two methods. You can do it offline in the SASSA office or also online. To apply offline, visit the nearest regional SASSA office. There you will get the application form. Fill out that form to apply. For online application, you have to visit the SASSA’s official website.

If you are unable to visit the SASSA office because of sickness or you are old, then it is better to do it online or else you can ask your family members or friends to apply on your behalf. These people are known as procurators. SASSA has declared a legal person called a procurator who can apply for or collect the grants on your behalf. The procurator should bring the doctor’s note while visiting the SASSA office.

The grant application form should be completed in the SASSA office itself in the presence of the SASSA officer. So if you find any difficulty in the form filling, you can get assistance from the SASSA officer. Once your application form is filled out, the SASSA officer will take your interview and tell you if you are qualified for the grant.

Remember to take the dated stamped receipt once your application is completed. The receipt will have the name of the SASSA officer on it. You should keep this receipt with you as proof of your application process.

Documents Required for War Veterans Grant Application

To show your eligibility for a grant, you have to submit some documents as proof. So when you visit the SASSA office, keep these documents with you. You should have the following documents –

Official proof of your war service (ex. Certificate of service or medals)
Your 13-digit bar-coded South African Identity Document (ID). If you don’t have a smart ID then –
You must fill out the affidavit form in the standard SASSA template in the presence of the Commissioner of Oaths who is not the SASSA official and is not affiliated with the SASSA.
You must bring a sworn statement signed by a reputable person who can verify your name and age (the person can be a councillor, traditional leader, social worker, school principal or minister of religion)
You must bring proof that you have applied for an ID or birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs.
A temporary identity document (ID) issued by the Department of Home Affairs (if applicable)
If you are under 60, then a medical assessment or report as proof of your disability stating that you can not work.
Proof of your residence (current address)
Proof of your marital status:
If you are married then the marriage certificate and your spouse’s identity document.
If you are divorced then you divorce order.
If your spouse is dead, then your spouse’s death certificate.
If you are single, then an affidavit stating that you are single.
Proof of all your assets and income. If you are married then also include proof of your spouse’s.
Your pay slips, if you and your spouse are employed.
If you are unemployed, then your UIF bluebook or discharge certificate from your previous employer.
Your last 3 months’ bank statements
Proof of the pension, if you receive another private pension.
Proof of your income and investments, along with the interest and dividends that you receive.
Proof of your assets and holdings along with their municipal valuation (if applicable)

How much time does it take to process the SASSA War Veterans Grant?

After you submit your application, SASSA will review it. The processing time for war veterans grant applications is up to 3 months. After the review, you will be notified if your application is approved or rejected. If your application is approved, you will start receiving the grant payment from the day you applied.

If your application is not approved by SASSA, they will inform you in writing as to why your application was unsuccessful. If you think this is an injustice to you, then you have the right to appeal the decision. The staff at the regional SASSA office will guide you in this process.

How to check SASSA War Veterans Grant Status?

You should regularly check your application status to stay updated with the grant process. You can check the status using any tool available online. The most trusted source is to check the status on the official website. You can use the following ways to check your War Veterans grant status –

Through the official SASSA website – https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status
Through the Moya App. If you don’t have internet access.
SMS to SASSA at number 082-046-8553
Through SASSA Whatsapp Number 082-046-8553
Contact SASSA Toll-Free number 0800-601011

What should I do if my War Veterans Grant application is declined by SASSA?

Let’s say you submitted all the correct information and attached all the necessary documents as proof, still your application got rejected. In such a case, you can ask SASSA for reconsideration of your application. If your reconsideration request is also rejected by SASSA, then you can appeal the SASSA’s decision.

You have to submit an appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. You have to appeal this decision within 90 days of receiving the notification. You can get help from regional SASSA office staff in this process.

The Ministry of Social Development will review your appeal and if they find you eligible then SASSA’s decision will be overturned and you will start to receive the grant payment. If they reject your appeal, they will provide a written explanation of the process.

Payment Process for SASSA War Veterans Grant

When your war veterans grant application gets approved, you will be paid from the date on which you submitted a complete application. The payment dates are not fixed. You can find your grant payment dates by logging in to your account.

You have the right to choose, how you wish to receive your war veterans grant. You can choose from the following three methods –

Direct Bank Transfer: Get your grant payment deposited directly into your bank account using electronic transfer. The banks may charge you for this service.
Cash Payment: You can get paid the grant in cash at SASSA-appointed service providers like Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar.
Institutions: Get your grant payment from a specific institution which is not SASSA-funded (Ex. old age homes, NGOs, etc)

If you want to receive the grant payment directly to your bank account then the bank account that you provide must be registered in your name. You can’t provide another person’s bank details. You have to submit the consent form as proof that the bank details you provided are true and registered in your name. Along with the form, submit the following documents –

Proof of your identity such as an identity document (ID)
Your Bank account number, which is registered in your name.
The last 3 months’ bank statements, that show your name and account number.

If you added another person’s bank details at the time of application, you should update the new bank details as soon as possible. If you are unable to collect the cash from outlets due to sickness then you can ask the procurator to collect the grant on your behalf.

How to check the SASSA War Veterans Grant balance?

To manage your finances, it’s important to keep track of your funds. If you are dependent on the grant money then it’s a crucial aspect. You must regularly check your war veterans’ grant balance. You can do it using the following methods –

Dial the USSD code 1203210# or 12069277# on your cell phone
Visit your nearest ATM
Using SASSA Whatsapp Number 082 046 8553
From the official SASSA website
Call the SASSA Toll-Free number at 0800 601 011

Why does SASSA conduct reviews for War Veterans Grant?

At the initial application process, you declare the income you have and this forms the basis on which SASSA decides if your grant must be reviewed. SASSA conducts the review to check if you still meet the means test criteria and to check if you are alive.

SASSA will notify you 30 days in advance of the date of the review or the date on which the life certificate is due. The written notice will also contain the date and location of the review.

If you receive the grant through a bank or institution, you must submit the life certificate annually to the SASSA office. If you are bedridden then SASSA will arrange a home visit to review your grant. You will receive the compliance receipt after your review.

Reasons for SASSA War Veterans Grant Suspension

It’s the responsibility of every grant beneficiary to inform SASSA of any change in his/her circumstances – whether it’s a change of address, change of marital status, change in financial condition, etc. The following may result in the suspension of a grant –

Changes in circumstances (financial or medical)
The outcome of a review
You failed to cooperate when a grant was reviewed
You committed a fraudulent activity or misrepresentation
If your grant was approved in error
You failed to submit the required documents.

How to restore the war veterans grant?

If your grant is suspended due to failure to collect for more than 3 consecutive months or due to failure to review then you have to make an application for the restoration of that grant within 30 days of the suspension.

Reasons for War Veterans Grant lapse

Your War Veterans grant may lapse because of the following reasons –

If the beneficiary or primary care given dies.
You are admitted to a state-funded institution.
You are absent from the country for a period longer than 90 days.
If you cease to be a refugee.
If you did not collect the grant for 3 consecutive months.

The war veterans grant is paid on a sliding scale. It means the more private income you have, the lesser government support you will receive.

SASSA Grant Beneficiaries Responsibilities

To receive the grant without any interruption or delay you should fulfil the following responsibilities –

Keep SASSA informed of changes in your circumstances and means, and respond to any correspondence received.
Always safeguard your social grant card and do not divulge the PIN to anyone.
SASSA never requests the PIN in any dealings with the beneficiaries.

As a responsible SASSA grant holder, you must fulfil the above responsibilities. If you fail to do so, then your grant may get suspended and you stop receiving the grant benefits.

FAQs

This is the grant offered by the Government of South Africa to the soldiers who fought in World War 2 and the Korean War.

SASSA has defined the eligibility requirements for war veterans’ grants. If you fulfil these requirements then you qualify for the grant.

As of 1 October 2023, the veteran receives the grant payment of R2 110 per month.

A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially during a war. A veteran is a soldier who fought in the war.

Conclusion

Soldiers respect their country the most. They are ready to give their life to secure the country. We can live happily and peacefully with our family only because of them. So it is our responsibility to give them the respect they deserve. The war veterans grant started by SASSA is truly a great honour to these people. If you are one of the war veterans then apply for this grant today itself.

SASSA Contact Details

If you have additional queries or need any assistance with your war veterans grant application then you can reach out to SASSA directly via the following channels.