The South African government has introduced a grant for senior citizens. This grant meets their financial needs and cares for their dignity. This grant is called the SASSA Old Age Grant, but earlier, it was known as an old age pension. The government is paying this grant as a token of gratitude for the support and services rendered to the country’s senior citizens.
The SASSA Old Age Grant is a social welfare program designed to provide financial assistance to senior citizens living in South Africa. This grant is offered to senior citizens who are 60 or above. They are in dire financial need, have no income source, and are unfit for work.
The Old Age Grant is being provided under the auspices of the South African Social Security Agency. This institution is specially designed for South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees. Like other SASSA grants, eligibility for the Old Age Grant is determined through a means test issued after reviewing the applicant’s monthly income assets and other financial factors. These payments are provided monthly to the applicant if the grant is approved.
What Is SASSA Old Age Grant?
South Africa is known worldwide for its rich history and culture, which is why the South African government places great emphasis on the welfare of its senior citizens. To meet the needs of these people. Many retired people need help to support themselves, and due to old age, it becomes challenging to do regular jobs.
Therefore, the government assists in various ways to stabilize them financially so that they are freed from the worry of work to fulfill their needs and can do minor daily tasks themselves.
Apart from this, SASSA provides various grants and loans to assist financially vulnerable senior citizens in the country. The SASSA Old Age Grant is a monthly allowance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. So that this aid money can be used to fulfill their daily needs. Also, the Old Age Grant is increased with age increases to 60.
Eligibility Criteria Set For Old Age Grant
To get the Old Age Grant, you must meet the eligibility criteria set by SASSA. If you meet this criterion, then you are eligible to apply. To find out the eligibility, you can follow the steps below.
- To receive the Old Age Grant, you must be a South African citizen or permanent resident and hold a Special Refugee Permit.
- To receive the Old Age Grant, you must be a permanent resident living in South Africa.
- You must not be receiving any other social grants from SASSA to apply.
- You must be 60 or older to apply for the Old Age Grant.
- You are not living in any state welfare station.
- The applicant and their spouse must have complete sources of income.
- The applicant must ensure that his annual income is at most R96840, and if the applicant is married, the combined income of him and his spouse is at most R193 680.
- In addition, if the applicant is single, the total assets must not exceed R1 372,800.
What Is Old Age Grant Means Test
The means test is used in the Old Age Grant to assess the applicant’s financial status and other factors to ensure that the applicant is eligible and should receive the grant. By April 2023, two thresholds will be fixed to know the Means test:
- Assets thresholds
- Income thresholds
Assets Threshold
Notably, the assets threshold ensures that those who need more financial resources to support them in old age receive the grant. In this test, the total assets of a single applicant must be less than R1372800. If the applicant is married, the total assets must not exceed the limit of R2745600.
Income Threshold
Your annual income threshold is also used to determine your eligibility for the Old Age Grant. This Means test includes how much you earn per year and not more than the threshold set by SASSA of R96840. If you are married, your total annual income should be R193680.
Further, proof of your other sources of income, such as pension rental income or any other source of income you are not getting, will have to be provided.
Old Age Grant Payment Details
The amount of Old Age Grant varies depending on the age. The Old Age Grant is increased every year. The Old Age Grant amount was increased on October 1, 2023. According to this, the grant is being provided to applicants between 60 and 74 years of age at a rate of R2090 per person.
At the same time, applicants 75 years of age or above are getting Rs 2110 as a monthly payment. Also, let us tell you about important news. On April 1, 2024, a 5% increase in the old age grant is expected, as per reports.
SASSA Old Age Grant Payments Date and Amount for 2024
To Eligible Persons of OLDER PERSON’S GRANTS will be paid from Wednesday, 03 January 2024.
| Grants Holders | Amount | Payment Date |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit under 75 years (OG) | R2090 | 03 January 2024 |
| Seniors age 75 years (OG) | R2110 | 03 January 2024 |
Required Documents For Elderly Grant
If you want to apply for an old-age grant, you must take the documents provided below to the SASSA office. With this, you will be given the Old Age Grant registration. So, keep the records provided below with you.
- To apply for the SASSA Old Age Grant, an affidavit must first be made, and you will fill this affidavit in the presence of the Oath Commissioner, who will not be on behalf of SASSA. After that, you have to get the form provided by SASA official.
- You need to get a person of solid reputation, such as a social worker, school principal, or your regional minister, to sign the affidavit, who will confirm that they know you and vouch for you.
- SASSA will receive all your fingerprints to process your application.
- Apart from this, you must apply for an ID from the Department of Home Affairs; if you must get this ID, you can proceed with the application process.
- If you are unmarried, you must provide proof of marital status.
- Marriage certificate.
- Divorce certificate (if divorced).
- Complete proof of your current address.
- Details of your complete assets.
- Pension slip if receiving a pension.
- You will provide your last three months’ bank statement if you are a bank account holder.
- If you were previously employed and have been fired, you must provide your unemployment insurance fund membership or discharge certificate issued by the previous company.
- If you are married, and your spouse has died within five years, you must attach a copy of the death certificate.
Online Application Process Of Old Age Pension Grant
SASSA has introduced two methods of applying for an Old age Grant. You can apply for a SASSA Old Age Grant using either:
Online Process Through The SASSA Website
- To get the SASSA Old Age Grant, you must open the official website of SASSA in your browser to apply online.
- Different menus will be shown in front of you as soon as you open the website. You have to click on the menu of grants and select the old age grant.
- Before applying for the Old Age Grant, register your account on the SASSA website.
- As soon as you log into your account, you will see a form for the Old Age Grant, which you must fill out with all your personal information and submit back.
- Before submitting, ensure that the information you provide is correct; otherwise, your application will be rejected.
- Finally, click the submit button to complete the application and wait for your verification process.
Apply Process Through SASSA Office
If you want to avoid applying online, go to the Sassa office and apply for an Old Age Grant. Apart from this, SASSA officials have also provided this facility if you are very sick and unable to walk. So, you can apply for an Old Age Grant on behalf of your close family or friend. This application will be accepted only if you have a signed note from the mediator or a doctor’s order proving the reason for your absence.
SASSA will provide a form, which you have to fill out, and the officials will conduct a full interview with you. Apart from the form that will be provided to you. SASSA Officials will also tell you the complete procedure to fill it. Once you have completed your application process and submitted the necessary documents, you will be provided with a receipt that you can use to receive your grants once they are approved.
How Much Time Required For Old Age Grant Application Process
It may take more than three months to process applications for elderly grants. Grants will be disbursed to you only when the verification process on your application is completed. And your application will be approved.
When the verification process of your application is completed and your application is approved, the payments will start from the date of submission of your application. If your application is rejected, you will be given a letter from SASSA explaining why your application was not approved for a grant.
SASSA Old Age Grant Status Check
Once you have submitted your grant application, you need to check the status of your application regularly. You can find out whether your application has been approved or is pending by using SASSA Status Check. Apart from this, you can also check the current status of your application and, if it has been rejected, why.
Apart from this, you can also get updates about the payments due after your old age grants are approved by SASSA Status Check. If you want to check the status of your Old Age Grant, you can check the status of your application through the methods given below.
- SASSA Official Website by Clicking Here
- Through SMS To SASSA Number 082-046-8553
- Through SASSA WhatsApp 082-046-8553
- Contacting on SASSA Toll-Free No. 0800-601011
Reasons For Grant Suspension and Lapseing
If your Old Age Grant has been suspended and you need to know why, your grant may be suspended due to the analytical reasons provided below. If your grant has not been suspended for any of the reasons given below, you can appeal for reinstatement of your grant.
- Your financial situation will be stabilized due to grants, and your monthly income will increase above the SASSA-prescribed standard.
- If incorrect information is found during the revision of your application, your application may be suspended.
- Your review indicates that you are no longer eligible and have yet to cooperate with the review team.
- Your grant may have been approved incorrectly.
Old Age Grant is suspended if the beneficiary applicant
- Die due to an accident or natural death
- The applicant should be transferred to a state-aided institution due to non-fulfillment of requirements
- The applicant leaves the country for any reason
- an applicant does not meet the means test set by SASSA
- The applicant has not received grants for more than three months
How To Appeal For Old Age Grant Suspension
Suppose you believe your Old Age Grant has been suspended without any reason. At the same time, older people are entitled to the Old Age Grant. So you can appeal again against SASSA’s decision. If you disagree with SASSA’s decision, you can apply for a SASSA Reconsideration Appeal.
You can submit this application within 90 days of grant suspension. You can submit this application to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Development.
How To Check Old Age Grant Balance
SASSA Balance Check helps you check your Old Age Grant balance. You can check your grant balance by showing how much grant you have been provided this month and how much money is left after your withdrawals.
If you want to get updates on your funds amount use SASSA Balance Check. You can get information about your remaining funds in the following ways.
- To check your SASSA balance, you must enter the USST code *120*3210# or *120*69277# provided by SASSA from your mobile phone, and after waiting, you will be provided with your balance information on the screen.
- Through any ATM.
- Apart from this, you can also check your balance through the SASSA Balance Check Portal.
- WhatsApp number facility 082 046 8553 is also provided to check the balance.
- You can also check your balance by calling the SASSA call center toll-free number 0800 601 011
SASSA Contact Information
If you still need clarification regarding the SASSA old age grant, you can contact SASSA directly to clear up your confusion. The following is the contact information.
- SASSA toll-free Number: 0800 60 10 11
- SASSA head office number: 012 400 2322
- SASSA head office email address: Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za