The Grant in Aid in South Africa: Support for Older Persons in Need of Care

The Grant in Aid in South Africa: Support for Older Persons in Need of Care Report reviews how the Grant in Aid is received by older persons. The grant which is received by older persons who receive the older person's grant and are 'in need of regular assistance' is meant to support older persons right to live independently in the commnuity. The report reveals that very few older persons receive the grant due to both administrative as well as conceptual injustices with applying for and receiving the Grant in Aid.The findings reveal that the older person living with a disability is expected to navigate five government and/or private institutions to have the required documentation for the application. In the report we reveal that the cost of the application equates to at least R600 (increasing up to R1400 in informal settlements and over R2000 in rural areas) and at least 35 hours of waiting and preparation work. A lack of adequate money, time and capability will compromise an older person’s right to ‘assistance’. This discrimination that is enacted through administrative requirements has implications on meeting the rights of older persons living with disabilities to live independently in the community.