War Veterans Grant 2026

SASSA's You and Your Grant booklet says the applicant must:

• be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee living in South Africa
• be 60 or older, or be living with a disability
• have served in the Second World War or the Korean War
• not be maintained or cared for in a state-funded institution
• not receive another social grant for themselves
• pass a means test on their income and assets, and their spouse's if they are married

The government's service page dates the wars as 1939 to 1945 and 1950 to 1953. It also says the value of the applicant's primary residence is left out when their assets are counted.

Proof of service is part of the application. SASSA lists it as a required document. Ask the officer what form of proof they accept before you go.

R2,420 a month, according to SASSA's 2026/27 announcement. The War Veterans Grant is paid on a sliding scale, so more private income can mean less than the full amount.

The means test limits

The government's service page shows R86,280 a year for a single applicant and R172,560 for a couple, with assets of R1,227,600 and R2,455,200. Use these as a guide.

An officer runs the actual test.

Bring certified copies.

• Certified copy of the applicant's ID, and their spouse's if married. Approved alternatives are accepted if there is no ID.
• A certified copy of the Section 24 refugee permit, if applicable
• Proof of marital status
• The latest payslip, not older than three months, for the applicant and any spouse
• Three months of bank statements for every account
• A bank confirmation letter, or three months of statements, for the account the grant will be paid into
• Proof of permissible deductions and proof of assets
• Proof of participation in the Second World War or the Korean War

The account must be in the applicant's name.

1. Collect the documents, including the proof of service.
2. Go to the nearest SASSA office and complete the application form in front of a SASSA officer.
3. Keep the receipt.

Applying is free. It may take up to three months, and an approved grant is paid from the day of application. SASSA says it never asks for a PIN. To report fraud, call 0800 701 701.

The three words describe different situations, and the fix for each is different.

Under review. SASSA reviews grants to update personal details and confirm the beneficiary still qualifies. It may send a courtesy notice inviting the beneficiary to a review. The booklet warns that ignoring one can lead to suspension.

Suspended. Payment is paused, but the grant still exists and can come back. SASSA lists these reasons: not completing the verification process, a change in marital status, address or finances, the outcome of a review, lack of cooperation during a review, improved finances, misrepresentation, a grant approved in error, fraud, and missing documents. If the grant was suspended because a review wasn't completed, or because it had not been collected for more than three months in a row, the beneficiary must apply for restoration within 30 days.

Lapsed. The grant has ended. SASSA lists these reasons: the death of the beneficiary, admission to a state-funded care institution, a grant not claimed within 90 days of approval, failure to update personal or financial information, being outside South Africa for more than 90 consecutive days, and suspicion of fraud.

If a war veteran will be abroad for more than 90 days, they must tell SASSA before they leave. Payments can otherwise be stopped.

If the application is stuck or declined

If SASSA can't give an outcome on the day, following up is the applicant's job. Visit the office where they applied, call 0800 60 10 11, or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za, and quote the receipt. The SRD status checker doesn't cover this grant.

An unsuccessful application gets written reasons. To appeal, ask a SASSA official to help lodge it, or email Grantappeals@dsd.gov.za. You have 90 days from learning of the decision to appeal, under the appeal regulations. What each status means explains Pending and Declined results. A veteran who also needs full-time care can apply for Grant-in-Aid, and the comparison of every SASSA grant shows the rest.