Can South Africans Living Abroad Get SASSA Payments?

South African individuals who move abroad generally question whether they would still be able to get SASSA grants. This inquiry influences a great number of recipients every single year. I prepared a step-by-step guide that is very clear, very thorough, and very detailed, which describes the residency regulations, payment eligibility, and administrative requirements for South Africans living outside the country.

I will clarify the treatment of each grant type, the conditions under which moving abroad is considered a temporary or permanent movement, and the necessary measures to be taken to avoid suspension.

Eligibility Rules for SASSA Grants When Living Abroad

SASSA grants are structured for residents in South Africa. The primary requirement for all social grants is that applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or recognised refugees who are living in South Africa.

If a beneficiary moves abroad permanently, the grant may stop. If the travel is temporary, the grant may continue under certain conditions.

The core rules are based on the Social Assistance Act, which requires:

• The applicant to be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
• The applicant to be physically residing in South Africa at the time of application.
• The applicant to remain resident within the borders afterward.

When a beneficiary leaves the country without notifying SASSA, the system may flag inactivity and suspend the grant during routine reviews.

Temporary Travel Abroad and SASSA Payments

Many South Africans leave the country for short visits, work trips, medical care, or family events. SASSA allows temporary absences under specific guidelines.

What counts as temporary travel?

SASSA evaluates temporary versus permanent absence on a case-by-case basis during reviews, but the Social Assistance Regulations do include an important threshold. SASSA may continue to pay a grant for up to 90 days while the beneficiary is temporarily outside the country in limited circumstances, such as medical treatment or where the person cannot return for reasons beyond their control. Absences longer than this can lead to suspension or further verification.

Payments can still be made to beneficiaries if all other conditions are satisfied. Banks may decline payments in some cases when accounts appear inactive, so keeping your South African bank account active is essential.

Key points for temporary travel:

• Payments continue if the absence is short and the beneficiary still meets residency conditions.
• Beneficiaries must keep their local bank accounts open.
• Physical presence is not checked every month.
• SASSA may request proof of residence during periodic reviews.

If SASSA determines the absence constitutes permanent relocation rather than temporary travel, the grant may be suspended pending verification.

Permanent Relocation Abroad and SASSA Grants

Permanent relocation changes the eligibility status for most grants. Since the Social Assistance Act requires beneficiaries to reside in South Africa, moving overseas indefinitely typically results in termination of the grant.

If you relocate permanently, your SASSA grant stops because:

• You no longer meet the residence requirement.
• SASSA cannot verify ongoing eligibility if you are not in the country.
• Social assistance is meant for residents living within the national social welfare system.

Beneficiaries who emigrate must inform SASSA to avoid fraud flags or penalties.

SASSA Grant Types and What Happens When Abroad

Each grant type has specific rules. We break them down clearly.

Old Age Grant

The Old Age Grant requires beneficiaries to live within South Africa. Permanent relocation leads to suspension. Temporary travel is allowed as long as the beneficiary returns within a reasonable timeframe and completes annual reviews.

Disability Grant

Medical reviews and disability assessments require physical presence in South Africa. If the beneficiary cannot attend scheduled reviews because they are abroad, the grant may be suspended.

Child Support Grant

The child and primary caregiver must reside in South Africa. If a child moves abroad permanently, the grant stops. Temporary travel by the caregiver does not immediately affect payment, but long-term relocation does.

Foster Child Grant

A court order defines foster placement. If the child relocates abroad permanently, the foster care placement and the grant will usually be reviewed, and this often leads to cancellation because the legal and residency conditions can no longer be fulfilled.

Care Dependency Grant

The beneficiary child must live in South Africa. Permanent international relocation ends the grant, although temporary medical travel may be approved.

Grant in Aid

Since this top-up support is tied to caregiving needs inside the country, it cannot continue if the recipient or caregiver leaves permanently.

War Veterans Grant

Eligibility requires residency within South Africa. A veteran who moves abroad is no longer eligible. This grant is available to veterans who fought in the Second World War (1939–1945) or the Korean War (1950–1953).

SRD R370 Grant for South Africans Abroad

The SRD R370 grant requires applicants to be:

• Living inside South Africa.
• Between 18 and 60 years old.
• Unemployed and below the income threshold set by SASSA.
• Not receiving any other SASSA social grant.
• Not receiving UIF benefits, NSFAS funding, or any other government COVID-19 relief support.

If a beneficiary stays abroad, the grant becomes invalid because they no longer meet the residency requirement.

What Happens if You Do Not Inform SASSA About Leaving the Country

SASSA regularly conducts verification checks, including:

• Bank account activity reviews.
• Home address validation.
• Biometric confirmations.
• Compliance checks with DHA records.

If the system shows that you are outside the country for extended periods, SASSA may:

• Suspend your grant.
• Flag your account for fraud investigation.
• Demand repayment for months where you were not eligible.

Informing SASSA avoids penalties and ensures proper closure or adjustment of the grant.

How to Notify SASSA if You Are Leaving the Country

Beneficiaries should notify SASSA in writing. The process includes:

• Visiting a SASSA local office before departure.
• Submitting your ID and grant reference details.
• Completing declaration forms confirming relocation.
• Providing your travel date and reason.
• Confirming suspension or further instructions.

This prevents system flags or incorrect payments.

Can Someone Collect SASSA Payments on Your Behalf While You Are Abroad?

A procurator can collect payments on your behalf if you are unable to collect the grant yourself, but the grant must still meet all eligibility requirements. A procurator cannot be used to bypass the residency rules. If you have permanently relocated abroad and no longer qualify for the grant, it must be stopped even if someone is collecting it for you.

Bank Withdrawals Outside South Africa

SASSA payments go into local bank accounts. Many banks allow international ATM withdrawals, but using a South African bank card abroad can trigger fraud alerts. Beneficiaries must inform their bank before travelling to avoid blocked transactions. Using the account internationally does not prove residency, so grant eligibility still depends on compliance with SASSA rules.

FAQs

Can SASSA check if I am overseas?

Yes. SASSA and the Department of Home Affairs share data. These checks can reveal extended periods outside South Africa and may trigger a review of your residency status.

Will my grant stop automatically if I leave the country?

Not immediately, but an extended stay abroad may trigger suspension during verification.

Can I reapply when I return?

Yes. If your grant stopped because of relocation, you can reapply when you return to live permanently in South Africa.

Can I renew my disability grant while overseas?

No. You must be physically present for medical reassessment.

Does SASSA allow exceptions for medical travel abroad?

Short medical travel is allowed. Long-term treatment outside South Africa must be reported and assessed.

Final Summary

South Africans living abroad cannot continue receiving SASSA payments if they move permanently. Temporary trips are allowed, but all beneficiaries must remain residents of South Africa to qualify. Each grant type has specific rules, but the core requirement is clear: the system is designed for individuals living within the country, and long-term absence affects eligibility. Keeping SASSA informed prevents issues, and those who return can reapply for support.