Grant-in-Aid 2026/27
An extra R580 a month (from 1 April 2026) for people who get an older person's, disability or war veteran's grant and need someone to look after them full time.
Monthly amount, 2026/27
R580
added to an older person's, disability or war veteran's grant
- From 1 April 2026
- R580
- Before 1 April 2026
- R560
Government Gazette GN R.7287 of 23 March 2026. Amounts for 2027/28 are not yet published.
Who qualifies
- You already get an Older Person's, Disability or War Veteran's Grant.
- Because of a physical or mental condition you need regular care from another person (Social Assistance Act s12).
- You are not cared for in a state-funded institution.
Means test
No separate means test. It is only paid to someone who already gets an older person's, disability or war veteran's grant and needs full-time care.
Source: SASSA means test leaflet, checked against the formulas in the regulations (GN R.2119 of 2022, Annexures A to D).
Payment dates
The Grant-in-Aid is added to the older person's, disability or war veteran's grant it belongs to, so it is paid together with that grant. The official dates for November 2026:
- Older Person's Grant30 October 2026FridayRevised: was 3 November 2026Older person's grants
- Disability Grant2 November 2026MondayRevised: was 4 November 2026Disability grants
- Children's grants3 November 2026TuesdayRevised: was 5 November 2026Child Support, Foster Child and Care Dependency grants
Thursday 5 November 2026: Fourth-day payment for beneficiaries whose grants are under review.
SASSA revised the November 2026 dates ahead of the Local Government Elections, with National Treasury approval (media statement of 14 October 2026). Older persons are paid on Friday 30 October 2026.
Official source: SASSA media statement, 14 October 2026: revised November 2026 payment dates ahead of the Local Government Elections (SASSA) · Original schedule: DSD: SASSA confirms 2026/2027 social grant payment schedule and increases (approved by National Treasury on 20 March 2026)
How to apply
Apply at a SASSA office, with your ID and a medical certificate from a medical officer or doctor confirming that you need regular care from another person (regulations 6 and 12(6)). You can apply at the same time as your main grant. See the guide to applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Grant-in-Aid in 2026?
R580 a month from 1 April 2026, up from R560. It is paid on top of your main grant.
Who can get the Grant-in-Aid?
Someone who already gets an Older Person's, Disability or War Veteran's Grant and who, because of their physical or mental condition, needs regular attendance by another person.
Is there a separate means test?
No. You must already qualify for the main grant, which has its own means test.
Can I get the Grant-in-Aid if I live in a care home?
Not if you are cared for in an institution that receives state funding for your care.