SASSA Old Age Grant 2024: Eligibility, Application, and Payment Process for Pension Grants

Undoubtedly, SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) has rolled out various assistance schemes to support senior citizens in need. Among these, the SASSA payment program specifically targets the elderly population, providing crucial monthly aid from the government.

Do you have elderly family members at home? Interested in enrolling them for the SASSA Old Age Grant? If you’re unsure about the application process, worry not. You’ve come to the right place. Let us walk you through the intricacies of this vital SASSA grant.

SASSA Old Age Pension

SASSA Old Age Grant, also referred to as SASSA Old Age Pension Grant, offers vital financial assistance to elderly individuals unable to work. With this grant, seniors can better manage healthcare expenses, afford medications, and improve their quality of life. Applying for the Old Age Grant is crucial for eligible individuals seeking essential support during retirement.

Essential Criteria for Qualifying for the SASSA Old Age Grant

SASSA aims to ensure that grant recipients genuinely face financial hardships. Who qualifies for the Sassa old age grant? They establish eligibility criteria through means testing, evaluating factors like financial status and age. Once approved, recipients begin receiving grant payments. Let’s begin the process:

Nationality

Grant applications are exclusive to South African citizens with permanent residency. Ensure you possess all necessary identity documents for verification when applying.

Eligibility Guidelines

If you were a South African citizen in the past and currently reside in another state, your grant application may face rejection.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be 60 years or older to qualify for this grant; those under 60 are ineligible and must wait one more year.

Exclusivity Clause

Applicants should not be receiving any other social welfare grants, whether from SASSA or other assistance programs.

Income Thresholds

Single applicants must earn less than R96,840 annually (R8,070 per month), while married couples must have a combined income below R193,680 yearly (R16,140 per month).

Asset Limits

Individuals should possess assets valued at less than R1,372,800 if single, or combined assets not exceeding R2,745,600 for married couples.

Means Testing

Successful applicants must pass the SASSA means test, which also applies to their spouses if married.

SASSA Means Test for Old Age Grant

SASSA means test evaluates the earning details as we mentioned in the eligibility criteria. Some people get confused after listening to ‘SASSA MEANS TEST’. It calculates the monthly income, assets, property details, and bank account verification is also needed. Doing this means testing SASSA to verify all the documents and checking their property-related history to make sure if their applicants are actually in financial hardships or just want to get more money for fun. According to their last updates:

Income Portfolio

For single individuals, earnings must be below R96,840 annually.
Married couples’ combined income should not exceed R193,680 yearly.

Assets Portal

Single persons’ assets must be valued under R1,372,800.
Married couples’ combined assets must be less than R2,745,600.

Each grant type has specific means test criteria for financial eligibility

Sassa Old Age Grant Application Form Pdf

If you need to arrange all the required documents before visiting the Sassa office then you can download the Sassa Old Age Grant Application Form from the below button.

View Sassa Old Age Grant Application Form

Download Sassa Old Age Grant Application Form

Documents Needed for Old Age Grant Application

To apply for the old age SASSA grant, ensure you have the following original documents

National ID card with a 13-digit barcode and mobile number. If unavailable, SASSA accepts fingerprint verification.
A sworn statement from a reputable individual verifying your identity.
Proof of current address (utility bills, rent receipts).
Marital status proofs (marriage certificate, divorce decree).
Bank statements for the past 3 months.
Proof of any personal pensions.
Evidence of unemployment (UIF or discharge certificate).
Details of all assets and their value.
If applicable, documents related to a deceased spouse within the past 5 years.

How to Apply for the SASSA Old Age Grant?

After completing your documents the next step is to apply for the SASSA Old Age grant. You can apply for the grant free of cost. They will charge you any service fee. Here’s the step-by-step procedure about how to apply for this grant:

Step 01. Visite SASSA Office

You need to visit your nearest Sassa office to apply. Initially, ask the SASSA officer there for an Old age grant application form.

Step 02. Fill the Form

After getting the application form you need to fill it out in the presence of SASSA officers. If there’s anything you can’t understand they will help you out in completing the form.

Step 03. Documents Submission

After filling out the form you need to make sure to submit all the essential documents required for application.

Step 04. Getting Receipt

Don’t forget to take the receipt with a stamped date from the SASSA officer after submitting your application.

Alternatives for Application

Interview: If you find it hard to fill out yourself, then the officer will be here to help you in completing the application form. They will also take your interview and submit your documents accordingly. After taking the interview they will inform you if you qualified for the grant or not. If you qualify they will give you the receipt with the date stamped and the name of the officer who assists your application.

Applied on Behalf of Old Person: If the applicant is too old and unable to visit the SASSA office, any trusted friend or a family member can apply on his/her behalf. The person applying on behalf of an old person should take a letter along with a doctor explaining the reason why the applicant cannot visit the SASSA office.

Processing Duration for SASSA Old Age Grant Applications

It normally takes about 3 months to process an application for the old person’s grant. The payments of grants start after the approval of applications. Once the application is processed and your grant is approved, you will receive the call from SASSA and you can get the payments from the date you submitted your application. In case of application rejection, SASSA will send a letter with an explanation of why your application grant was not approved.

Disbursement of SASSA Old Age Pension Grant Payments

How much is old age grant? The payments of the SASSA Old Age grant depend on the age of the applicant. As of the latest information of October 1, 2023, the monthly payment for SASSA’s old age grant amount is R2,090 per month individually for 60 to 74-year-old applicants. The applicants are older than 74 years they will receive R2 110 individually.

It is expected that from 1 April 2024, the old age grant monthly payments will increase to R10 per person monthly.

SASSA Old Age Grant Online Application Status Check

After submitting your grant application, you will need to check your application status regularly. You can easily trace by using a status check and know the current status of your application if it is approved or declined. In case of application approval, you need to check the status of payment details frequently. You can check the status by following methods.

Checking your Status From (SSCBD Website)

Through SASSA WhatsApp 082-046-8553

Through the Moya APP Using Data Free Method

Through SMS To SASSA Number 082-046-8553

Contacting on SASSA Toll-Free No. 0800-601011

Why was my SASSA Old Age Grant Application Rejected?

If your SASSA Old Age grant application is not approved but you think that the decision was made wrong, you need to request the SASSA to reconsider your application. If the reconsideration request is also denied and still you are not satisfied with the decision of SASSA, you have the right to appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development. Your Sassa appeal must be submitted within 90 days from the day the application is submitted.

The Ministry of Social Development will further review your appeal to make the right decision. If they agree with you, they will reverse SASSA’s decision and you will start receiving your grant payments. If the appeal is denied then you’ll receive a written explanation of the appeal board decision.

Causes of SASSA Pension Application Rejection

Here are some reasons why Sassa rejects the applicant’s applications:

Personal Verification Issues

If you enter any wrong or fake information regarding yourself that doesn’t match the records in the Department of Home Affairs, SASSA will not accept your application.

Age Below 60 Years

Suppose your age is 59 years or less than it. below the required age. You will not be eligible for getting an old age grant. Sassa will not accept your application.

Alternative Income or Assets

If you are getting a reasonable amount of monthly income and your bank balance is R624 or above this range. Sassa will not accept your application.

UIF, NSFAS Funds, or Other Social Grants

If you are receiving payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), or applied for other SASSA grant payment projects. Sassa will not accept your application.

Knowing the specific reason for your application rejection will help you to take the right steps for the reconsideration of your reapplication.

SASSA Contact Details

In case you want to know Sassa’s old age grant balance check methods and you do not find them after following all the methods mentioned above then you can contact the Sassa support team.

SASSA Contact Number: 0800 60 10 11

SASSA Whatsapp Number: 0820468553

SASSA Email Address: [email protected]

Explore a list of SASSA offices across the country: SASSA offices near you

Conclusion

I hope after reviewing this guide you are familiar with all the information about the SASSA Old Age Grant and the detailed method of how to apply for it. We have also discussed the rejection of the application and its reasons. Although the service is free, it may take up to three months to verify your application. However, you will start getting the grant for old age from the month your application gets approval.