South Africa’s Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides financial assistance to citizens and qualifying residents through various grant programs. These include child support grants, disability grants, old age pensions, and more. But a common question that arises especially among migrants is: Can Zimbabwean immigrants avail SASSA grants?

This article aims to provide a clear, updated, and SEO-friendly explanation of whether Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa are eligible for SASSA grants, what types of permits are required, and what alternatives are available for those who are not eligible.

What Is SASSA?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is responsible for distributing social grants to help vulnerable individuals and families meet their basic needs. Grants include:

Child Support Grant

• Old Age Grant

• Disability Grant

• Care Dependency Grant

• Foster Child Grant

• Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

These grants are primarily meant for South African citizens, but certain categories of non-citizens may also qualify.

Can Zimbabwean Immigrants Qualify for SASSA Grants?

The short answer is: Not all Zimbabwean immigrants are eligible for SASSA grants, but some may qualify under specific conditions. You can also Check Sassa Status for eligibility.

1. Citizenship and Residency Requirements

To qualify for most SASSA grants, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with legal status.

• Reside in South Africa.

• Pass a means test to assess income and financial need.

2. What About Zimbabweans with Legal Permits?

Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa fall into different legal categories. Here’s how that affects their SASSA eligibility:

Zimbabwean Refugees

Zimbabweans who have been granted refugee status (under Section 24 of the Refugees Act) are eligible for most SASSA grants. Refugees are treated the same as citizens under South African law for social security purposes.

Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) Holders

ZEP holders are not eligible for SASSA grants. This is because the ZEP is a special temporary permit that does not confer permanent residency or refugee status.

Even if a ZEP holder lives and works in South Africa legally, they do not meet the criteria for social grants.

Asylum Seekers

Asylum seekers holding Section 22 permits are also not eligible for most SASSA grants. This is because their status is temporary, and their applications for refugee status are still being processed.

Permanent Residents

If a Zimbabwean has been granted permanent residency, they become eligible to apply for SASSA grants, just like South African citizens. However, permanent residency is a long and complex process.

SASSA Grants Zimbabweans May Qualify For

Here are some grants that Zimbabwean immigrants may access under certain conditions:

1. Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SRD grant (R350 grant) was introduced. Initially, it was only for South African citizens, but later expanded to include refugees and asylum seekers with valid documentation from Home Affairs.

While this grant was temporary, the SRD R370 grant has replaced it. As of 2024, it is still limited to:

• South African citizens

• Permanent residents

• Recognized refugees

• Asylum seekers with valid Section 22 permits (in some cases)

2. Child Support Grant (Only for Refugees or Permanent Residents)

Zimbabwean refugees or permanent residents with children may apply for the Child Support Grant, provided:

• The child is under 18.

• The caregiver resides in South Africa legally.

• The household meets the income threshold.

Required Documents to Apply for SASSA

If a Zimbabwean refugee or permanent resident wants to apply for a SASSA grant, they will need:

• A valid 13-digit refugee ID or permanent resident ID.

• Proof of residence in South Africa.

• Proof of income (for means-tested grants).

• Medical assessment (for disability-related grants).

• Birth certificates of children (for child-related grants).

Common Misconceptions

1. All immigrants can get SASSA grants.

Only recognized refugees and permanent residents can receive grants—not all immigrants.

2. ZEP is the same as permanent residency.

The ZEP (Zimbabwean Exemption Permit) is not equivalent to permanent residency and does not make the holder eligible for SASSA grants.

What Alternatives Do ZEP Holders Have?

Since Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders are not eligible for SASSA grants, here are a few alternatives:

1. NGO Assistance

Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Scalabrini Centre, and Gift of the Givers provide food, housing, and basic needs support to migrants in need.

2. Employment Support

ZEP holders are legally allowed to work in South Africa. Seeking employment or freelance opportunities can help sustain financial needs.

3. Community-Based Support

Some Zimbabwean community associations and churches in South Africa provide assistance to struggling families.

FAQs

Can Zimbabweans with work permits get SASSA grants?

No. Work permits, including the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), do not qualify you for SASSA grants.

Can Zimbabwean children born in South Africa get SASSA?

Only if they are South African citizens or refugees. Children born to ZEP holders are not automatically granted citizenship.

Can asylum seekers from Zimbabwe apply for the R370 grant?

Only under special temporary rulings. Most are not eligible unless otherwise stated by SASSA or government policy.

Final Thoughts

While Zimbabwean immigrants contribute significantly to South African society, their eligibility for SASSA grants is limited. Only those with refugee status or permanent residency may legally access these social welfare benefits. ZEP holders and asylum seekers remain excluded, though they may access help through NGOs and community support networks.

If you’re unsure about your status or rights, consult with legal aid organizations or visit your local SASSA office for accurate guidance.

The home affairs department was not deporting people following xenophobic attacks on foreigners, it said on

"Home affairs is not deporting anyone. We will assist those who voluntarily want to go home with their paperwork," said home affairs spokesperson Mansele Tau.
Asked whether the department had seen an increase in those who wanted to leave, Tau said: "No, not a lot."

Tau said reports that people were being deported to their countries as a result of the xenophobic attacks were untrue.
Home affairs was only verifying documentation. Victims of xenophobia who wanted to leave were making arrangements on their own. - Sapa

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This type of South African relationship or life companion permit is available to individuals in legally recognized relationships and can be applied for as either a temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit, depending on the length of the union or relationshipship in question.

Foreign nationals who are relationships of South African citizens or permanent residents may apply for permanent residence. To qualify, the relationship must have existed for more than five years.

As a country that acknowledges diverse relationshipships and grants them the same legal recognition, South Africa issues relationship permits to individuals in all legally recognized relationships.

The relationship permit falls under the relatives' visa category and is renewable. The visa is typically issued for 36 months at a time but cannot exceed the validity period of the passport. It is a temporary residency visa available to foreign nationals who can demonstrate a committed relationship with a South African citizen or permanent resident holder. The couple must provide proof of a relationship longer than two years.

If you intend to study or work while in South Africa, you must apply for the necessary rights to be added to your visa. Individuals on a relationship permit may request either study, business, or work rights, but not all three. This means that if a work authorization is granted, you may only be employed by an approved employer.

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SENIOR officials have been implicated in a passport theft and illegal sales syndicate operating from two Home Affairs offices in Durban.

At least five incidents of theft have taken place at the two Home Affairs offices in Durban.
The Independent on Saturday received an anonymous tip-off last month after its story about Durban student Anvir Chunilall, who discovered his passport had been stolen when he went to collect it from the Umgeni Road Home Affairs office. Chunilall said he was told at the time that “an entire batch of official documents had gone missing.” He described the situation as alarming and said it raised serious concerns about the security and integrity at Home Affairs offices.

Shortly after the story was published, whistleblowers reached out and alleged that senior provincial Home Affairs officials were part of a syndicate which orchestrated the theft and sale of passports belonging to South African men of Indian descent. They claimed these were sold for huge amounts to foreigners who were mainly from Pakistan and Bangladesh. According to the whistleblowers, at least 100 passports have already gone missing since the fraudulent activities started last year, while the lock to the passport storage facility had been broken and had still not been fixed.

Yesterday the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that its Counter Corruption and Security Services Branch as well as the police were investigating five incidents of passport theft reported from the Umgeni Road and Commercial Street offices in Durban. It said that the first recorded incident of passport theft occurred in August 2024.

“At this stage, the Department does not have any information that implicates senior officials in relation to the theft of passports in Umgeni and Commercial Street offices,” said spokesman Siya Qoza. He urged anyone with information to come forward saying that the Department would investigate all reported allegations.

When questioned about existing controls to avoid fraud, Qoza said that all documents were stored in lockable facilities. “Each document is recorded once it is received and when it is issued to the owner. These measures were in place in the two offices. The Department enhances its security procedures on a regular basis.” said Qoza.

Stolen passports, he said, were flagged with Ports of Entry and the Department had case numbers for the incidents reported to the police. Interpol was also informed. “All passports are activated through the fingerprints of the owner. This makes it difficult for anyone to use them if they were not issued through the correct processes.”

According to Qoza, each passport application was initiated by the owners’ fingerprints and photos. The same fingerprints and photos are required to activate the passport when collected, ensuring traceability.

The activated passports were also on the Department's databases, which made it possible for them to trace the documents.

Qoza stressed the Department’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, which is why all reported allegations were investigated.
“We investigate all allegations to protect the integrity of our documents and restore public confidence.

Fraudulent activities have long been a struggle in the Department and several measures have been put in place to root out any criminal activities. He said Home Affairs regularly informed the public about its successes in disciplining its officials who were charged with misconduct.
In addition to this, the Department had also publicly communicated that it had embarked on a digital transformation agenda where most of its processes would be digitised. Qoza said by digitising its processes the instances of “human discretion” would be minimised.

Yesterday he appealed to anyone with information to come forward saying that the Department adhered to the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act.

“This affords protection to the heroes who provide valuable information about crime and misconduct in the Department. The Department values whistle-blowers. It also has the Policy on the Reporting of Unethical Behaviour, Misconduct and Corruption that encourages officials to speak out against fraud and corruption and outlines available protection to those who report.
This policy is regularly revised to take into account latest developments in the area of protecting whistle-blowers,” said Qoza.