SASSA Old Age Grant: Everything You Need to Know

bySifiso Andreas Last updated on:

SASSA Old Age Grant is a crucial support system for many elderly South Africans, ensuring they have the means to meet their basic needs. This grant is a testament to the country’s commitment to supporting its aging population and offers a measure of dignity and stability in their golden years.

This article will cover everything you need to know about the older person’s grant, from eligibility criteria to the application process and beyond. Our goal is to ensure you have all the necessary information to receive and manage your elderly Grant effectively.

Old Age Grant

What is the Old Age Grant and its Purpose?

This social assistance scheme was introduced by the South African Social Security Agency to support older citizens who have no other means of financial income. It is designed to ensure a basic quality of life for senior citizens by providing them with a monthly stipend.

The purpose of this grant is to help alleviate poverty among older adults and enable them to meet their basic needs when they are no longer able to work and do not have sufficient retirement savings or support from family. The grant also aims to uphold the dignity of the elderly by ensuring that they can live independently and contribute to society without becoming a burden on their families or communities.

Importance of this Grant for South African Citizens

This aid is of significant importance due to the demographics of the South African population and their socioeconomic conditions.

According to Statista, the number of older adults (aged 60 years and over) has been increasing in South Africa. In 2012, there were approximately 4.0 million older adults, which was about 7.7% of the population. By 2022, this number was increased to 5.5 million, making up 9.2% of the population. This indicates, over the ten-year period old age population percentage has increased by 1.5%.

Old Age Grant Importance by demographics

With an increasing number of elderly persons. South African government faces multiple challenges, and to overcome this SASSA old grant plays an important role. Some important challenges which this grant addresses are following;

  • Basic Income: The grant is a lifeline for many elderly, providing them with the means to afford essentials like food, housing, and healthcare.
  • Poverty Alleviation: It plays a critical role in lifting the elderly out of poverty, ensuring a dignified standard of living.
  • Access to Healthcare: The grant supports the elderly in managing their healthcare needs, from medical care to medications.
  • Social Security Net: As part of the broader social security system, the grant helps protect the elderly from the impacts of poverty and unemployment.
  • Promoting Dignity: The grant recognizes the contributions of the elderly, promoting their dignity and independence.

The grant recognizes the contributions of the elderly, promoting their dignity and independence. SASSA offers multiple other grants, read information about different types of SASSA grants to know which grant is suitable for you.

Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For SASSA Elderly Pension

SASSA has set up an eligibility criteria to be able to get your older persons grant approved. So before applying for this grant make sure you follow the following criteria;

  • Age: Applicants must be 60 years or older.
  • Citizenship: Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees.
  • Residency: Applicants must be residing in South Africa at the time of applying for the grant.
  • Not Receiving Other Grants: Applicants must not be receiving another social grant for themselves.
  • Government Institution: Applicants must not be maintained or cared for in state old age homes for sassa pensioners or other Institutions like prisons and rehabilitation centers.
  • Government ID: The applicant must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document.
  • Means Test: It is important that you and your spouse meet the requirements of the mean test for older persons pension fund.

Means Test Criteria For Old Age Funds

In South Africa all social grants are subject to means testing, every grant has different means testing criteria. The means test is a financial assessment to determine whether the applicant’s income and assets fall below a certain threshold. The test ensures that the grant is provided to those most in need. Following is the test criteria for elderly persons grant which was last updated by SASSA on 01 April, 2024.

Income Thresholds

The means test evaluates the applicant’s income to determine if it falls below specified thresholds. The income considered includes any wages, pensions, or other sources of income.

  1. Single Applicants:
    • The annual income must not exceed R101,640.
    • This equates to a monthly income of approximately R8,470.
  2. Married Applicants:
    • The combined annual income of the applicant and their spouse must not exceed R203,280.
    • This equates to a combined monthly income of approximately R16,740.

Asset Thresholds

The means test also considers the value of the applicant’s assets, excluding the home they live in. Assets can include property, vehicles, savings, investments, and other significant possessions.

  1. Single Applicants:
    • The total value of assets must not exceed R1,438,800.
  2. Married Applicants:
    • The combined value of assets must not exceed R2,877,600.

Required Documents To Apply for Older Person’s Grant

When applying for this pension fund, applicants must provide specific documentation to support their application. These include:

  1. Identity Document (ID): A valid South African 13 digit barcode identity document. In case you do not have one then,
    1. You need to sign an affidavit in presence of a non-sassa commissioner of oath. Click on download button below to get the Affidavit for an Older Person’s Grant. 
    2. You need to provide a sworn statement signed to verify your age and name. This statement should be signed by a counselor, traditional leader, social worker, minister of religion or school principal
    3. SASSA officials will take your fingerprint and start processing your application for an older person’s grant. They will refer you to the department of home affairs to apply for ID. 
View AffidavitDownload Affidavit

Note: In case at a later stage your ID does not get approved, your older person’s age grant will be suspended.

  1. Marital Status (If applicable):
    1. Marriage Certificate: A certified copy of the marriage certificate if the applicant is married.
    2. Divorce Decree: A copy of the divorce decree if the applicant is divorced.
    3. Spouse’s Death Certificate: A certified copy of the death certificate if the applicant’s spouse is deceased.
  2. Proof of Residence: A recent utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit confirming the applicant’s residential address.
  3. Proof of Income:
    1. Payslips indicating any income the applicant or spouse receives.
    2. For self-employed individuals, a sworn affidavit or bank statement showing income deposits.
  4. Proof of Pension: If you are receiving any pension then you need to attach pension slips.
  5. Proof of Assets: Documentation for all properties owned by the applicant or spouse including the value of property you own.
  6. Bank Statement: Recent bank statements for the last three months for all accounts held by the applicant or spouse.
  7. Proof of Unemployed: If you were employed, then you need to provide a discharge certificate from your ex-employer otherwise you can provide your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership (‘blue book’).
  8. Spouse Will (if applicable): If your spouse died within the past 5 years, you need to provide a copy of their will, the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts 
  9. Dependent Children Income (If any): In case you have any dependent children who have some source of income, you need to provide proof of their income as well.

How To Apply For Elderly SASSA Grant?

You can register for an elderly SASSA grant online or by visiting your nearest local SASSA office.

Online Application Procedure

  • Register on official SASSA website
  • Log in your account
  • Click Apply for Grant and then select old age grant
  • Fill out the form
  • Upload scanned copies of high resolution documents
  • Submit the application

For better understanding you can watch the video:

In person Application Procedure

  • Find and visit the closest SASSA office location to your residential address. It is advisable to visit early in the day to avoid long waiting times.
  • If you are sick or too old to visit and apply for a grant personally, then you can nominate a family member or a friend on your behalf to file the application for you. In that case, the nominee will need an authorization letter from you to file your application. Also an additional doctor’s note will be required explaining the reason why you are unable to visit personally.
  • In person SASSA application must be completed in presence of an official of SASSA. Officials will also assist you to fill the application form if you are having difficulties. 
  • Officials will interview you to check if you are eligible to apply for this pension. Officer will inform you with the decision if your application is approved or not. 
  • Regardless of whether your application decision is, you will be given a dated receipt for your application; bearing the name of the SASSA officer who assisted you. Save this receipt as it will be helpful to track your application or to appeal the decision of your application.

Processing Time For Retirement Age Grant Application

The processing time for this Grant application generally ranges from 2 to 3 months. Once the application review is complete, SASSA will notify you of the outcome. If your application is approved or rejected, you will receive a letter or SMS detailing the decision and providing information on the next steps.

If your grant is approved, you will start receiving payment from the date when you filed your application. If you have not received any communication from SASSA within the estimated timeline, you should follow up with your local SASSA office.

Tip: Ensuring that you submit a complete and accurate application can help expedite the process.

SASSA Old Age Pension Payout Dates and Amount for 2024 – 2025

Once your application is approved, it’s crucial to keep track of the monthly payment dates to manage your finances effectively. Use the table below to mark your calendar for the SASSA old age pension payout dates scheduled for 2024 – 2025 to ensure you receive your grants on time.

MonthPayment DateAmount for 60-74 Years OldAmount for 75 Years or Older
April 202403/04/24R2, 180R2, 200
May 202403/05/24R2, 180R2, 200
June 202404/06/24R2, 180R2, 200
July 202402/07/24R2, 180R2, 200
August 202402/08/24R2, 180R2, 200
September 202403/09/24R2, 180R2, 200
October 202402/10/24R2, 190R2, 210
November 202405/11/24R2, 190R2, 210
December 202403/12/24R2, 190R2, 210
January 202503/01/25R2, 190R2, 210
February 202504/02/25R2, 190R2, 210
March 202504/03/25R2, 190R2, 210

Older Person’s Grant Increase for 2024 – 2025

The Older Person’s Grant has been increased by R100 for the year 2024 – 2025, implemented in two phases:

  1. First Phase: Starting from April 2024, the grant amount was increased by R90. This amount will continue until September 2024.
  2. Second Phase: From October 2024, an additional increase of R10 will be applied, bringing the total increase to R100. This new amount will continue until March 2025.

By keeping this schedule and the incremental increases in mind, you can better plan your finances and ensure you receive the full benefits of your grant.

SASSA Older Persons Grant Status Check

To stay updated with your grant application, regularly check your status using one of the following methods:

  • Sassagrantcheck Website: Visit the website, enter your ID number and phone number, and click “Check Status.”
  • Official SASSA Site: If you applied online, visit the SASSA Services portal, log in to your account, and click “Track Application.”
  • Visit Nearest Branch: Find your nearest SASSA branch and visit in person to inquire about your application status.
  • Call SASSA: Dial SASSA toll-free number (0800-601011) to speak with a SASSA representative. Provide them your details to inquire about your application status.

What to Do If Your Grant is Rejected?

SASSA will inform you in writing about the decision regarding your elderly grant, including specific reasons for the rejection. Receiving a rejection can be disheartening, but there are steps you can take to address the situation and potentially overturn the decision.

  • If you are unhappy with the decision and believe the reason SASSA provided is not valid in your case and the decision has been made in error, you can request Sassa to reconsider your application. 
  • In case your request for reconsideration also fails then you can lodge an appeal with the Minister of Social Development at the national Department of Social Development (DSD). Make sure to lodge an appeal within 90 days of being notified that your application was rejected.

Methods To Receive Retirement Age Pension Funds

Once your grant is approved you should look for your upcoming payment date to timely receive your grant. Always check your payment date before visiting bank to receive your grant. SASSA provides three convenient methods to receive your grant; bank deposit, cash payments and government institutions.

old age grant payment methods

If you opt to receive your pensioner benefit in your bank account then you need to fill out a consent form, attach it with underlisted documents and submit it to sassa.

  • Proof of identity (ID card, driving license, or birth certificate)
  • Bank account number (the account must be in your name)
  • Three months’ bank statement showing your name and account number
View Consent FormDownload Consent Form

You can update your bank account or payment method at any time by filling out a form at the welfare office. However, payments through the new method will only start from the following month after verification is completed.

Note: If you are unable to collect your grant payments yourself due to old age or other reasons, you can nominate someone to collect the payments on your behalf.

SASSA Grant Regular Reviews

SASSA conducts regular reviews to ensure that beneficiaries continue to meet eligibility criteria and that the grants are disbursed accurately and fairly. The frequency of these reviews can depend on the income declared during the application process or the due date of the life certificate, which confirms if the beneficiary is still alive.

SASSA will inform beneficiaries in writing three months before a scheduled review or when the life certificate is due. If you receive your grant through a bank, an institution, or a procurator, you must fill in a life certificate at the SASSA offices annually.

It is the responsibility of the beneficiary to update SASSA with any changes in their information during the review process. Beneficiaries should cooperate with SASSA, as updated documents may be required. Once the review process is complete, officials will issue a compliance receipt.

If you are sick and bedridden, SASSA officials can conduct a home visit to review the grant.

Reasons For Suspension of Grant

Your Sassa older person’s grant can be suspended for following possible reasons;

  • Changes in your financial situation, such as a substantial increase in income or assets, can result in suspension if they no longer meet the means test criteria.
  • SASSA can suspend this grant based on outcome of their periodic review.
  • Failure to cooperate during a grant review, such as not providing updated information or necessary documents.
  • Evidence or suspicion of fraud, such as providing false information during application or misuse of the grant, can cause the grant to be suspended pending investigation.
  • If your grant was approved in error.
  • If the grant is not collected for three consecutive months, SASSA can suspend it, assuming the beneficiary might not need it anymore.
  • If you are absent from the country for a period exceeding more than 90 days.

Restoration Of SASSA Elderly Aid

If you believe that your grant has been suspended in error or your situation has changed then you can appeal for restoration of the grant within 90 days of suspension. File an appeal with the Minister of Social Development at DSD, providing documents to prove that your grant was suspended in error.

In special case of non collection of grant for 3 consecutive months, you need to file an appeal within 30 days. Otherwise you have to file an application from start again.

Main Reasons For Grant Lapsing

Your retirement age pension may lapse for the following reasons:

  • Death of the Beneficiary: The grant will automatically lapse upon the death of the beneficiary.
  • Away from Country: If the beneficiary goes abroad for a period of more than 90 days without officially informing Sassa, the grant will lapse.
  • Failure to Collect the Grant: If the grant is not collected for three consecutive months, it will be assumed that the beneficiary no longer needs it, and the grant will lapse.
  • Admission to a State Institution: If the beneficiary is admitted to a state institution (such as a prison, state old age home or rehabilitation center), where their needs are provided for by the state, the social grant is reduced to 25% of the total amount of the grant taking. This will take effect from fourth month after you got admitted to institution and reduced grant will be reinstated to the full amount immediately after you are leave the institution.

Fraud And Responsibilities of Beneficiaries

SASSA maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud. Any fraudulent activity related to the grant application, receipt, or use is subject to strict legal action.If fraud is suspected, SASSA will conduct a thorough investigation. Proven cases of fraud can lead to the suspension or termination of the grant.

It is the foremost responsibility of the beneficiary to make sure you are providing your information to relevant official Sassa officers. Never share your SASSA card details or PIN with anyone, as SASSA officials will never ask for this information.

It is also the responsibility of beneficiaries to keep SASSA informed of any changes in their financial or medical circumstances. If your address or contact information changes and you do not inform SASSA, your grant may be suspended due to the inability of SASSA to reach you.

Conclusion

This grant is a vital support system for elderly South Africans, providing financial assistance to those in need. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and older person’s grant payment dates, you can better manage your finances and plan for the future. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact SASSA through their official channels.

FAQs

Yes, this grant was previously known as the Old Age Pension or Older Person’s Grant.

To check the balance of your grant, dial USSD code *120*3210# or *120*69277# on your phone.

Yes, if you are too old or sick to travel to the office, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf.

GEPF pensioners need to contact SASSA and ask them directly for their qualification status of this grant. Visit any nearby SASSA office to request an affordability means test. If you qualify, you can apply for the grant and receive both the GEPF monthly pension and the SASSA Older People Grant.

There is no fee to apply for this elderly person’s Grant.

Sifiso Andreas

Editor at SGC

Sifiso Andreas

Hi! I’m Sifiso Andreas, with a background as a Grant Administrator at SASSA, I bring firsthand experience and deep knowledge of social welfare programs in South Africa. My goal is to help you navigate the complexities of social grants, scholarships, and government assistance with up-to-date resources and expert guidance. Join me for the latest updates and essential information on SASSA grants.

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