Glossary: every SASSA term, in plain language
On this page (7 sections)
The grant system runs on words it never explains: *procuration*, *lapsing*, *reinstatement*, *means test*, *ITSAA*. Being told your grant has 'lapsed' rather than been 'suspended' changes what you have to do next — and nobody tells you which is which. This is the whole vocabulary in plain language, with a link to the page that deals with each.
Money and grants
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Social grant | A monthly payment from government to people who qualify. Not a loan, not a pension you paid into, and not taxable |
| SRD | Social Relief of Distress — the R370 monthly grant for unemployed adults, assessed every month. Guide |
| CSG | Child Support Grant — R580 a month per child, paid to the primary caregiver. Guide |
| Top-up | The extra amount added to the CSG for an orphaned child in a relative's care. Guide |
| Grant-in-Aid | R580 added to an existing grant for people needing full-time care. Guide |
| Backpay / arrears | Money owed for approved months already past. An approved grant is paid from your application date, not the approval date |
| Deduction | An amount taken off before you receive the grant. One consented funeral-policy deduction is lawful; loan and airtime deductions from a grant are not |
Qualifying
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Means test | The check on your income and assets against the thresholds for that grant. How it works |
| Threshold | The income or asset figure above which you no longer qualify |
| Assets | What you own beyond your home — other property, investments, savings. The home you live in is excluded |
| Primary caregiver | The adult with day-to-day responsibility for a child. Does not have to be a parent. What counts as proof |
| Medical assessment | The examination by a state-appointed doctor for the Disability, Care Dependency and Grant-in-Aid grants. Guide |
| Procurator | A person formally appointed to collect a grant for someone who cannot collect it themselves. How it works |
| Power of attorney | The signed document that appoints a procurator, witnessed by a Commissioner of Oaths |
| Commissioner of Oaths | Someone authorised to witness a sworn statement — available free at any police station |
| Affidavit | A written statement sworn as true. Accepted in place of many missing documents. Which ones |
When things go wrong
| Term | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Declined | Your application was refused on the evidence held | Appeal within 90 days |
| Suspended | SASSA stopped an existing grant, usually after an unanswered review | Apply for reinstatement within 90 days |
| Lapsed | The grant reached its natural end — a temporary award expired, a child turned 18, an order ended | Reapply — there is no reinstatement |
| Reinstatement | Restoring a suspended grant | Within 90 days of the suspension |
| Review | SASSA re-checking whether you still qualify | Respond, and go to the office that month. Guide |
| Reconsideration | Asking SASSA to look again before a formal appeal | It does not pause the 90-day appeal clock |
| Appeal | A formal challenge decided independently of SASSA | How to appeal |
| ITSAA | Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals — the body that decides appeals. 012 312 7727 | Independent of SASSA |
Systems, bodies and payments
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| SASSA | South African Social Security Agency — administers and pays social grants |
| DSD | Department of Social Development — the department SASSA falls under; also runs social workers and foster care |
| Socpen | The national social pension system on which grant records are held. When an office says 'the system', this is usually it |
| Postbank | The bank that issues SASSA cards and holds the accounts grants are paid into. 0800 5354 55 |
| Gold card / black card | The old SASSA card and its replacement. The migration |
| Payment cycle | The four days over which grants are paid each month: Older Persons, Disability, Child Support, then all others. Dates |
| Fourth payment day | The day grants under review are paid, instead of the normal three-day cycle |
| Public Protector | The independent body investigating maladministration by state institutions. 0800 11 20 40 |
| Government Gazette | The official publication in which grant amounts and regulations are formally set. Our benchmark for confirming a figure |
Documents
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| 13-digit bar-coded ID | The green ID book or the smart ID card. The foundation document for every claim |
| Temporary Identity Certificate | Short-term proof of identity from Home Affairs while an ID is issued. Accepted for a black card |
| Proof of residence | A municipal bill, lease, or a letter from a ward councillor or traditional leader |
| Blue book | The UIF membership record from formal employment |
| Discharge certificate | An employer's confirmation that your employment ended |
| Court order (foster) | The children's court decision placing a child in your care. Guide |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between suspended and lapsed?
A suspended grant was stopped by SASSA, usually after an unanswered review, and can be reinstated within 90 days. A lapsed grant reached its natural end and must be reapplied for.
What does ITSAA stand for?
The Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals — the body that decides appeals against SASSA decisions, independently of SASSA. Reach it on 012 312 7727.
What is Socpen?
The national social pension system holding grant records. It is what an office means by 'the system'.
What is a procurator?
Someone formally appointed to collect a grant on behalf of a person who cannot collect it themselves.
Why do some figures on this site have an asterisk?
An asterisk means we have not yet traced that figure to the Government Gazette, even though it is widely reported. How we verify figures.
Verified information
- Responsible body
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
- Official source
- sassa.gov.za
- Status
- Officially confirmed
- Date verified
- Confidence
- High confidence
Definitions reflect the terms as used in the Social Assistance Act and by SASSA in its own published guidance.
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 as the plain-language reference for the vocabulary the grant system uses without explaining.
Site-wide corrections are logged publicly in the corrections register.
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