Can You Receive the SASSA Grant If You Live With Family?
It’s very commonly asked can you receive the SASSA grant if you live with family, and for a good reason. A lot of people in a dire financial situation are still living with their family. It’s either due to not affording a place to live, or having too many expenses.
But if you’re in this situation, can you still qualify for the SASSA grant?
What are the most common SASSA grants?
These SASSA grants are social assistance solutions designed to help people in dire need of financial support. They include the older persons grant, disability grant, child support grant, foster child grant, care dependency grant and the social relief of distress grant. With their help, people in need can sustain their expenses for a limited timespan.
Can you get a SASSA grant if you live with family?
Since the SASSA doesn’t have specific requirements about beneficiaries living alone, your living situation does not matter. According to SASSA eligibility guidelines, applicants are assessed on personal income and assets rather than household living arrangements. Most people that need the SASSA grant can’t afford independent housing, they rely on family for shelter anyway. That’s why the SASSA grant rules won’t disqualify anyone living with their family.
What does the SASSA check for?
- Your personal income, including financial support, business income, UIF payments, wages or salaries
- Your assets, ranging from vehicles to investments and properties owned (your primary home is not counted)
- Eligibility criteria like legal status, employment status, disabilities and age
What if you’re receiving financial support from your family?
In case you are receiving financial support from the family on a regular basis, the SASSA could see it as income. That’s if you are getting regular bank transfers, monthly cash transfers, etc. Occasional help is not seen as a source of income, but regular help will.
When will you receive the SASSA grant if you live with family, and when is it declined?
- You will receive the SASSA grant if you live with your family or on your own, if you don’t have any source of income and if the family members are not regularly sending you financial assistance.
- Your application can be declined if the family members regularly send money to your accounts and your account balance is over the threshold. For example, the SRD grant has a R624 monthly income limit. Consistent support is flagged as income.
If you live with your family and the application gets denied, it has to do with your bank activity. Where you live doesn’t matter for the SASSA, what matters is your existing income. If they see you’re getting continual financial help, you might be disqualified from the grant.
SASSA grants and qualification
Older Person’s Grant
If you want the older person’s grant, living with your adult children doesn’t disqualify you. The child’s income is also not counted. Instead, only your income and assets will be considered. Single applicants must earn below R8,990 per month, while married couples have a combined limit of R17,980 per month.
Disability grant
You are allowed to live with the family. In this case, the SASSA will check your assets, medical eligibility and your personal income. Family earnings will not influence your application.
Child support grant
The CSG or child support grant is based on the primary caregiver’s income and not the entire household. Single caregivers must earn below R5,600 per month, while married couples have a combined limit of R11,200 per month. The CSG can be received if you live with relatives or parents, but you are the primary caregiver with income under the threshold.
SASSA grant myths
If your family is earning money, you are disqualified
The SASSA only looks at your income and not the family income. If your income is under the threshold and you meet grant requirements, you will qualify for it.
The SASSA will check everyone in your home
The SASSA doesn’t assess household income, unless there are very rare occasions where that is mandatory. But normally, they only check for personal income.
You have to live alone in order to get the SASSA grants
No, you can live in shared houses, with your parents and any other similar situation. Your living situation doesn’t affect grant eligibility, but your income does.
Are there situations where living with family can affect eligibility?
If you are wondering, can you receive the SASSA grant if you live with family, normally there won’t be an issue. However, living with family can affect your eligibility when:
- Family members are depositing money in your account on a regular basis
- You are falsely declaring your income as being under the threshold, even if you’re getting continued support from the family
- The expenses are fully covered by your family
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Despite living with your family or in a shared living situation, you can still receive the SASSA grants. You need to fulfill the requirements of that grant you want to access, and also ensure that your income is under the threshold.
The SASSA has the option to decline your application, either due to a high income or false information shared with the application. That’s why it’s imperative to be truthful and share only real information when applying for any SASSA grant.
For the most up-to-date eligibility rules and thresholds, applicants should refer to the official website of the South African Social Security Agency.
