First Home Finance (FLISP) in the Free State
First Home Finance is a once-off grant from government that helps first-time buyers pay for a home. It used to be called FLISP. If your household earns between R3,501 and R22,000 a month and you have never owned a home, you may qualify for between R38,878 and R169,264.
You do not pay it back. It works the same way in the Free State as in the rest of South Africa, and we help you apply at no cost.
By Melinda Kleyn ·
Who qualifies
You must meet all of these:
- Your household earns between R3,501 and R22,000 a month before deductions. If you are married or live with a partner, both incomes count.
- You are a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- You are 18 or older.
- You have never owned a home.
- You and your partner have never had a government housing subsidy.
- You are married, live with a partner, or are single with people who depend on you.
How much you can get
The grant is between R38,878 and R169,264. It works on a sliding scale: the less you earn, the more you get.
Government sets the amounts and can change them. We confirm your exact amount with you when you apply.
What you can use it for
- As a deposit, so you borrow less.
- To bring down your bond, so your monthly payment is lower.
- To cover the gap if the bank approves less than the price of the house.
- Towards bond and transfer costs.
The money is paid to the attorneys or the bank, not into your own account.
Why it fits the Free State so well
Most homes in Bloemfontein sell for between R500,000 and R1 million, and about two in three home loan applications in the Free State come from first-time buyers. That is the group this grant was made for.
You also pay no transfer duty on a home priced up to R1,210,000. For many first-time buyers here, that means both savings apply to the same house.
How to apply
- 1. Check what you can afford with us. It is free.
- 2. Find a home and sign an Offer to Purchase.
- 3. We apply to the banks for your home loan.
- 4. Once a bank approves the loan, the First Home Finance application goes to the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC), which runs the programme for government.
- 5. If it is approved, the grant is paid out when the house is registered in your name.
We help you with the forms and the documents as part of our service. The NHFC makes the decision, so we cannot promise that a grant will be approved.
Documents you will need
- ID documents for you and your partner.
- Marriage certificate, or proof that you live together, if this applies.
- Birth certificates of your dependants, if you are single.
- Your latest payslips and bank statements.
- The signed Offer to Purchase.
- The bank's home loan approval letter.
Common questions
Is First Home Finance the same as FLISP?
Yes. FLISP was renamed First Home Finance. It is the same government grant for first-time buyers.
Do I have to pay First Home Finance back?
No. It is a once-off grant, not a loan.
Can I apply for First Home Finance in Bloemfontein?
Yes. The grant is national, so buyers in Bloemfontein and anywhere in the Free State can apply. ooba Home Loans Bloemfontein West helps with the application at no cost.
Do I need a home loan first?
For most buyers, yes. The usual route is to get your home loan approved, then apply for the grant. We do the home loan application for you.
How much is First Home Finance in 2026?
Between R38,878 and R169,264, depending on your household income. The less you earn within the range of R3,501 to R22,000 a month, the more you get.
Can I use the grant as my deposit?
Yes. You can use it as a deposit, to bring down your bond, or towards bond and transfer costs.
Where these figures come from
- Grant amounts, income range and rules: the First Home Finance programme of the Department of Human Settlements, run by the NHFC, as published by ooba Home Loans.
- Free State first-time buyer share: ooba Home Loans statistics for 2026.
- Transfer duty threshold: SARS, 2026/27 tax year.
- Government can change the amounts and rules. We confirm the current ones with you before you apply.