Disability & Illness
Support when illness or disability prevents work — the Disability Grant, Grant-in-Aid, medical assessments and the SRD bridge.
Also searched as: disabled, disability, sick, illness, medical, ill health.
Guides on disability & illness
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own doctor's report instead?
No — the assessment must be done by a doctor appointed by the state. Your doctor's report is important supporting evidence and you should bring it, but it does not replace the assessment.
How long is a SASSA medical assessment valid?
Three months from the date of the assessment. If your application is delayed past that, the assessment has to be redone.
What is the difference between a lapsed and a suspended grant?
A lapsed grant reached its natural end — a temporary award expired, a child turned 18, a court order ended. A suspended grant was stopped by SASSA, usually because a review went unanswered. Lapsed grants are reapplied for; suspended grants are reinstated, within 90 days.
Read the full guide: Grant lapsed: why it ended and how to get it back
Can I appeal a lapsed grant?
There is no decision to appeal — the grant ended on its own terms. If you believe it should not have lapsed (for example, the temporary period was miscalculated), raise it at the office and ask for the record in writing.
Read the full guide: Grant lapsed: why it ended and how to get it back
How much is the Disability Grant in 2026?
R2,400 a month from 1 April 2026, up from R2,320.
Read the full guide: Disability Grant 2026: R2,400 a month, and how the assessment decides
What conditions qualify for a disability grant?
There is no list. The test is functional: whether a physical or mental condition prevents you from supporting yourself through work for six months or longer, as assessed by a state-appointed doctor.
Read the full guide: Disability Grant 2026: R2,400 a month, and how the assessment decides
Is a temporary disability grant less money?
No. Both pay R2,400 a month. The difference is duration, not amount.
Read the full guide: Temporary vs permanent Disability Grant: what the difference means
Does a permanent disability grant last for life?
No. It means the incapacity was assessed as lasting more than twelve months. It continues without an end date but can still be reviewed and stopped if your circumstances change.
Read the full guide: Temporary vs permanent Disability Grant: what the difference means