SASSA provides a wealth of social services to the needy in South Africa. For those people who don’t have private pensions and who have no means of support during old age, SASSA Older Persons Grants can be crucial for staying healthy, fed, and housed. Here’s everything you need to know about grant applications.
Requirements for SASSA Older Persons Grant
The SASSA Older Persons Grant, also known as the SASSA Old Age Pension, is open to people over 65 years of age and has the following requirements:
- Applicants must be 60 years and older.
- It is a requirement that you are a South African citizen or a permanent resident of South Africa
- Prior to applying, you must have lived in the country for a minimum of 15 years.
- In order to receive grant payments, you must have a bank account in your name
- You cannot be receiving social assistance or being cared for by a state institution.
To qualify for SASSA grants, applicants must pass a means test. The applicant’s income, assets, and expenses are assessed to determine if they are financially needy enough to qualify for the grant. The limit for single people is R86 280 per year, while it rises to R172 560 per year for married couples. If you are single, you cannot own assets worth more than R1 227 600; if you are married, you cannot own assets worth more than R2 455 200.
Applying for SASSA Older Persons Grant
SASSA Older Persons Grant applicants must take their original identification to a SASSA office where they live in order to apply. If you do not have your ID, you will need:
- A SASSA-format affidavit, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, about why you do not have one
- You need a sworn statement from a member of your community (a minister of religion, traditional leader, ward councilor, or school principal) verifying your age and identity.
- SASSA will take your fingerprints and make you an ID application.
You will fill out an application form under the supervision of SASSA officers, who will also interview you regarding your eligibility. Keep your receipt as proof of your application once you have completed it.
In the event that you are ill or too old to travel easily, a family member or friend may make the application on your behalf. A doctor’s note explaining why you can’t attend will be needed on your behalf. you can check also Sassa Status Check for R350
Documents Required to Apply for SASSA Older Persons
The following documents are required as part of the application process we described above:
- You will need documents proving your marital status
- Property proof, proof of residence, and proof of income
- Please provide proof of your private pensions
- 3 months bank statements
- UIF membership proof or discharge certificate from last employment for previously employed individuals
- A copy of the will and distribution accounts is required for widows and widowers whose partner passed away in the last 5 years
How Much is the SASSA Old Age Grant?
Your SASSA Old Age Grant amount will also be affected by the means test. A maximum of R2,080 per month will be available in 2023. Those over 75 can qualify for up to R2,100 per month.
How is SASSA’s Old Age Grant Payment Calculated?
SASSA Old Age Grant payments are calculated on the basis of your means test. A summary of how it works is as follows:
- Your SASSA application will consider all forms of income, including private pensions, permanent salaries, rental income, etc. The applicant may not qualify for the Old Age Grant if his or her income exceeds a certain threshold.
- However, SASSA will also take into account rent, utilities, medical expenses, and other necessary costs of living. Disposable income is calculated by subtracting your expenses from your income.
- Assets owned, such as property, investments, and savings, will also be considered by SASSA. The value of these assets can affect your eligibility if they exceed a certain threshold.
SASSA then analyzes the disposable income figure and compares it to its means test thresholds. Your disposable income may qualify you for the Old Age Grant if it falls below the means test. This will also affect what you receive, which will be adjusted annually for inflation. It is important to remember that the amount is not taxable!
Benefits of the Old Age Pension
The SASSA Older Persons Grant provides financial assistance to older people who may not have other sources of income. Food, shelter, and healthcare are some of the basic living expenses covered by the monthly payment. This provides older people with greater security and stability in their later years, thereby improving their quality of life. Older people are particularly vulnerable to poverty because of their age, health, and limited earning opportunities.
SASSA Old Age Grant Payment Date
The SASSA Old Age Grant payment date shifts monthly, but will always be the first day in SASSA’s three-day payment cycle in the first week. Keep an eye on this month’s dates, and anticipate receiving it between the 1st and 8th of every month, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
SASSA Old Age Grant Status
Call the SASSA toll-free helpline on 0800 60 10 11 or visit your nearest SASSA office to check the status of your SASSA Old Age Grant application. Tracking your application requires your ID number. The SASSA application process can take weeks or months, so be patient and follow up regularly.
Once SASSA approves your application, you will receive a notification letter with the grant amount. The grant is usually paid out on a monthly basis, and the first payment should arrive within a few days after approval. An explanation of why your application has been rejected will also be included in the notification letter. It is possible to appeal a decision in some cases.
Hopefully you’ve learned how to make your SASSA Older Persons Grant Application as smooth and simple as possible.
