Wondering how you can complete your disability grant application? The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is a government program that aims to provide financial assistance to needy people in society, including the disabled. If you have a disability, you must get a medical assessment before submitting your funding application. Read on to learn how to complete SASSA grant medical assessment form.
What Is SASSA Medical Assessment?
SASSA medical assessment refers to a medical report you will obtain from a doctor confirming severe injury or permanent disability. If you want to get a SASSA disability grant, you must prove that you have a medical condition affecting your normal functioning. For instance, your situation can hinder you from performing various activities like fending for yourself and your family.
All applicants for SASSA disability grants must provide medical assessment reports obtained from reputable health professionals. SASSA now offers online medical assessment appointments to reduce queues and make the process easier for applicants.
The online booking system for medical assessment allows one to see SASSA doctors or check their booking details. It also allows you to check if you qualify for an old age grant, foster care grant, child support grant, or disability grant, as well as to see the documentation required to complete your application.
For a medical assessment appointment, you can visit the link to sassa.gov.za to get more details about disability grants and social grants. Alternatively, call the toll-free number at 0800601011 or contact Customer Care at 051 410 8339 for more information.
How Can I Prove I Have a Disability?
A physical or mental disability affecting your ability to work for more than six months makes you eligible to apply for a disability grant. If your disability lasts for more than a year, you will receive a permanent disability grant.
To qualify for a permanent disability grant, you must undergo a medical examination where a state-appointed doctor will assess the degree of your injury. You should bring any previous medical reports or records when you book an appointment. The doctor will perform the medical assessment and complete a medical report, which is forwarded to SASSA.
The medical report you obtain from the doctor is only valid for three months, so you must apply for a SASSA grant early. If you are under 18 years and require permanent care due to disability, your primary caregiver must apply for the SASSA Care Dependency Grant. An applicant without ID is required to complete an affidavit and prove that they have applied for the document at the Department of Home Affairs.
How to Complete SASSA Grant Medical Assessment Form?
SASSA medical assessment forms are not available online, so you can obtain them from your nearest SASSA branch office. Once you get the required form, there are different sections you should complete, and you must do this in the presence of a SASSA official. The form is used to determine the grant you will get depending on the severity of your injuries.
The following documents must accompany your medical assessment form:
- A 13-digit bar-coded South African identity document (ID) or submit a refugee status permit with 13 digits.
- If you don’t have an ID, you must complete an affidavit that suits the standard SASSA format before a Commissioner of Oaths. The commissioner must not be a SASSA official.
- Depending on your age, you must also provide a sworn statement signed by a minister of religion, a councillor, a social worker, a traditional leader, or a school principal. This applies to people below 18 years who must have proof of name and age.
- A SASSA official takes your fingerprints and refers you to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for an ID.
- Provide proof of marital status.
- A medical assessment report confirming your disability or degree of injury
- Proof of income, where applicable
- Proof of residence
- Proof of private pension if you have any
- Proof of assets
- Bank statements not older than three months. If the spouse is dead, you must provide a copy of a will, first and final liquidation of accounts.
- Discharge certificate from the employer in case you were employed or provide a copy of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) blue book.
When you have all the required documentation, a SASSA officer will guide you through the process of completing a medical assessment form. If there is anything you don’t understand, do not hesitate to ask the official whose duty is to help applicants complete their applications.
It usually takes up to three months for your application to be processed. Once your grant has been approved, your payment will be backdated to the day you applied. Applying for a grant is free, but make sure you know the requirements to qualify for financial aid. More importantly, you must gather all the documentation required to submit your application.
When applying for a SASSA disability or Care Dependency Grant, you must complete a SASSA grant medical assessment. Applications without medical reports obtained from recommended state doctors may be declined. Therefore, you must book a medical assessment appointment where the doctor examines the severity of your disability and writes a medical report. The report will be used to determine whether you deserve to get a temporary or permanent disability grant. If your condition changes, your grant can be re-evaluated or cancelled once you recover.