✅ Quick Eligibility Checker
Answer 6 questions to see if you likely qualify
Are you a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with a valid permit?
Are you aged 18 to 59 years old?
Is your total income less than R624 per month?
Are you currently unemployed (no regular job)?
Are you currently NOT receiving UIF benefits?
Are you NOT currently receiving any other SASSA grant in your own name?
📋 All Eligibility Requirements — 2026
| Requirement | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| 🪪 | South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee Must hold a valid SA ID or refugee permit from Department of Home Affairs. Undocumented foreigners do not qualify. | Must have ✓ |
| 🎂 | Aged 18 to 59 You must be at least 18 on the date of application. When you turn 60, apply for the Old Age Pension (R2,400/month) instead. | Must meet ✓ |
| 💰 | Income less than R624 per month The food poverty line threshold. SASSA checks all bank deposits monthly. This includes wages, UIF, family transfers, and any other income. | Must be below ✓ |
| 💼 | Unemployed (or informally employed below threshold) You must not be employed with a regular income. Occasional informal income is allowed as long as it stays below R624/month. | Must be ✓ |
| 🏗️ | NOT receiving UIF unemployment benefits Active UIF claimants are disqualified for those months. Being registered for UIF (but not claiming) is different and is allowed. | Disqualifies ✗ |
| 📋 | NOT receiving another SASSA grant in your own name Disability Grant, Old Age Pension, War Veterans, or Care Dependency Grant disqualify you. Child Support Grant on behalf of a child does NOT disqualify you. | Disqualifies ✗ |
| 🎓 | NOT a full-time student receiving NSFAS Students receiving NSFAS bursaries or allowances are disqualified while those payments are active. After graduation or leaving, you may qualify again. | Disqualifies ✗ |
| 🏛️ | NOT on the government payroll Any employment by government departments, municipalities, or state-owned enterprises disqualifies you while employed there. | Disqualifies ✗ |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes. The Child Support Grant belongs to your child — not you as the caregiver. You can receive CSG for your child and the SRD R370 for yourself simultaneously, provided you meet all SRD eligibility requirements. However, the R560 CSG payment deposited into your account may sometimes trigger the income check — if so, you can appeal.
- Only if the income for that month exceeded R624. SASSA checks your bank account monthly. In months where you earned and received more than R624, you will be declined for that month. In months where you earned nothing or less than R624, you may be approved. The check is independent for each month.
- Yes. You become eligible on your 18th birthday. You can apply at srd.sassa.gov.za as soon as you have turned 18. Make sure you have your SA ID (you should apply for your ID before turning 18 at Home Affairs).
- Yes. Once your UIF benefits end, you become eligible for the SRD grant (provided you meet all other criteria). If you already have an SRD application, it should automatically be checked again next month. If you don't have an application, apply at srd.sassa.gov.za.