War Veterans Grant 2026: R2,420 a month
On this page (5 sections)
The War Veterans Grant pays R2,420 a month — R20 more than the Older Persons Grant — to people who fought in the Second World War (1939–1945) or the Korean War (1950–1953) and cannot support themselves. You must also be 60 or older, or disabled, and pass the same means test as the Older Persons Grant. Given those war dates, the surviving group is very small; nearly everyone who thinks they might qualify is in fact looking for the Older Persons Grant.
Who qualifies
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service | Fought in the Second World War (1939–1945) or the Korean War (1950–1953) |
| Age or disability | 60 or older, or disabled |
| Need | Unable to support yourself |
| Status | SA citizen, living in South Africa at the time of application |
| Income | Under R107,880 a year single; R215,760 married |
| Assets | Under R1,524,600 single; R3,049,200 married — your home is excluded |
| Other grants | One adult grant at a time, though Grant-in-Aid may be added |
| Institutional care | Not payable if maintained in a state institution |
Documents
- Proof of military service in the qualifying conflict — discharge papers, a service record or an official confirmation.
- Your 13-digit bar-coded ID or smart ID card.
- Proof of marital status, three months' bank statements, and proof of income and assets.
- Proof of residence.
If service records have been lost, ask at the SASSA office how proof can be established — an affidavit alone will not usually be enough, but archives and veterans' organisations can sometimes reconstruct a record. See documents you need for the substitutions available on the other requirements.
Applying and payment
Apply in person at a SASSA office, following the standard process: the officer completes the form with you, you keep the receipt, and processing takes up to three months with approval backdated to your application date. Payment falls on day one of the monthly run, alongside the Older Persons Grant — see the 2026/2027 payment dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the War Veterans Grant in 2026?
R2,420 a month from 1 April 2026, up from R2,340. It is the highest-value SASSA grant.
Does service in the SANDF or SADF qualify?
No. This grant covers service in the Second World War and the Korean War only. Other veterans' benefits are administered by the Department of Military Veterans, not SASSA.
Can I get the War Veterans Grant and the Older Persons Grant?
No — one adult grant per person. The War Veterans Grant pays R20 a month more, so where both apply it is the one to hold.
I am a veteran under 60.
You can qualify if you are disabled and unable to support yourself. Otherwise, check the Disability Grant and the SRD grant.
What if my service records are lost?
Raise it at the SASSA office. Archives and veterans' organisations can sometimes reconstruct a service record; an affidavit alone is not usually accepted for this requirement.
Verified information
- Responsible body
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
- Official source
- sassa.gov.za
- Status
- Officially confirmed
- Date verified
- Confidence
- High confidence
R2,420 confirmed as the amount in force since 1 April 2026. Eligibility confirmed against SASSA and gov.za guidance on the War Veterans Grant.
SA Benefits is independent and not affiliated with SASSA or government. Editorial guidance on this page is clearly separated from official information — see how we verify.
What's changed on this page (1)
Published with the confirmed R2,420 amount and the service qualification, which is narrower than most people assume.
Site-wide corrections are logged publicly in the corrections register.
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