The SASSA Old Persons grant is a special social grant that was created by the government of South Africa through the the South Africa Social Security Agency(SASSA) to take care of citizens of South Africa who are above 60 years of age.
This article will cover all the questions bothering you about the SASSA Old Age Pension grant. Some major questions like;
- What are the requirements for SASSA Old Age Pension grant?
- What documents are need for SASSA Old Age Pension grant?
- What is the SASSA Old Age Grant Means Test.
- How to apply for SASSA Old Age Grant?
- What is the SASSA Old Age Grant amount?
- What is the duration before SASSA Old Age Grant approval?
- What causes SASSA Old Age Grant suspension?
- What causes SASSA Old Age Grant to be cancelled?
- How to appeal after being rejected for SASSA Old Age Grant?
- SASSA Old Age Grant Payments
- SASSA Old Persons Grant Payment Dates for 2023-2024.
Requirements for SASSA Old Age Pension grant
To be a beneficiaries of the Old Pensions grant one needs to meet some laid down requirements before they can proceed with their application. The qualification requirements are as follows;
I. The person applying must be a South African citizen, a permanent resident or a refugee.
II. The person applying must be 60 years of age and above.
III. The applicant must not be a recipient any other social grant from SASSA.
IV. The person applying must not be looked after or taken care of by a state institution like an old age home or rehabilitation centre.
V. The applicant together with his or her spouse must meet the requirements of the means test.
MUST READ: Appeal For Sassa SRD.
Required Documents for SASSA Old Persons Grant.
In addition to the requirements stated above there are also some documents needed for a smooth application process. The list of documents are below;
i. You need to provide proof of residence.
ii. An identity document is needed for you and your spouse. Devoid of these documents, SASSA will provide you with an affidavit to complete.
iii. Proof of relationship status with spouse. This is a document to show whether the applicant is married or single. The documents accepted in this category are ;
- A divorce order
- Marriage certificate
- Death certificate if spouse is no more.
- An affidavit or a sworn statement
iv. Proof of sworn in document showing the income and assets of you and your spouse.
v. Other supporting documents relating to your income and assets should be provided.
vi. There should also be proof of income of dependent children.
READ ALSO: How To Check Your SASSA balance.
Means Test For SASSA Old Persons Grant
Getting approved for the Old Persons grant will depend on the outcome of the Means Test. The SASSA means test is done to ascertain and evaluate the income and assets of the applicant. Passing the means test means individual or single applicants are supposed to earn R96, 840 and below. Anything above that will disqualify single applicant.
Married applicants must not earn above a total of R 193 680 combined form both salaries a year.
SASSA Old Persons Grant Application.
The application for the Old Pensions grant is quite simple, all you need to do is follow these steps to get started;
STEP 1: Visit any of the SASSA offices nearest to you. You can delegate someone be it a friend or family member to go apply for you if you have any sickness or too old to walk.
STEP 2: You will need to pick up and fill an application form in the presence of a SASSA official. He is responsible for assisting you and making sure that the form has been filled correctly.
STEP 3: When you’re done completing the form, you will be given a receipt with a stamp on it indicating the name of the SASSA official who assisted you. This receipt will be used as proof of application later.
NB: Kindly note that the application is free off charge, therefore you are not supposed to make any payment. Also, the outcome of the application will be communicated to you through writing when the processing is done.
SASSA Old Age/Pensions Grant Amount
The amount for all SASSA social grants was increased on April 1 2023. Therefore the stipulated amount for Old Age Grant which use to be R 1990(below 75 years) was increased to R 2,080 on April 1, 2023 and R 2090 in October.
However, amount for the same Old Age Grant which was R 2010(above 75 years) was increased to R 2100 on April 1, 2023 and R 2110 in October.
SASSA Old Persons Grant Outcome.
Processing of individual applications for Old Age Grant can take up to 3 months before the outcome. To know whether an applicant’s application has been approved or rejected, SASSA will inform you in writing and explain the reasons of the out come.
SASSA Old Persons Grant Cause for Suspension
Irrespective of who you are your application can be suspended due to certain reasons. Majors reasons may include the following;
i. When the applicant’s financial situation changes.
ii. When the applicant provides false information or misrepresents himself.
iii. If the applicant has been absent from South Africa for more than 90 days.
iv. If the applicant does not claim the grant for more 3 consecutive months.
v. If the grant was approved in error.
vi. When the applicant fails to co-operate when the application is being reviewed.
Reasons for SASSA Old Persons Grant Being Cancelled.
An applicant’s application can be cancelled for the reasons below;
i. When the applicant passes away
ii. When the applicant is admitted into a state institution.
SASSA Old Persons Grant Appeal After Outcome.
When an application is cancelled, the applicant can decide to appeal by writing to the Ministry of Social Development through to the Minister stating why you should be reconsidered for the Old Age Grant.
SASSA Old Age Persons Grants Payments
There are several mode of payments made available by SASSA to all applicants or beneficiaries. Once your application is approved the grants will be channeled through the following methods;
i. Cash will be available at specific pay points on specific days.
ii. The second option is sending money electronically to the applicant’s bank account or post bank accounts.
iii. Final mode of payment is when the money is payed to institutions like an old age home.
SASSA Old Persons Grant Payment Dates for 2023-2024.
The dates below are dates for release of payments for SASSA Old Age/ Pensions grant.
MAY 2023
Older Person’s Grant- 3rd May
JUNE 2023
Older Person’s Grant- June 2
JULY 2023
Older Person’s Grant- July 4
AUGUST 2023
Older Person’s Grant- August 2
SEPTEMBER 2023
Older Person’s Grant- September 5
OCTOBER 2023
Older Person’s Grant- October 3
NOVEMBER 2023
Older Person’s Grant- November 2
DECEMBER 2023
Older Person’s Grant- December 1
JANUARY 2024
Older Person’s Grant- January 3
FEBRUARY 2024
Older Person’s Grant- February 2
MARCH 2024
Older Person’s Grant- March 5
SASSA Contacts and Offices
You can contact SASSA through the following channels.
SASSA e-mail: GrantsEnquiriesGP@sassa.gov.za
SASSA Head office toll free number: 0800 60 10 11