SASSA Grant For Old persons – SASSA Old age grant

SASSA is an agency owned by the government of South Africa which aims to provide social grants to people who are suffering from unemployment and financial issues. SASSA’s grant is divided into different categories like child support grant, disability grant, dependency grant, veteran’s grant etc. 

In this article we will discuss SASSA Old Aged Pension. SASSA provides grants to people aged more than 60 years. SASSA old age grant is also known as SASSA Old Age Pension. SASSA checks the financial condition and assets of old aged persons and if they fulfil the criteria then SASSA starts paying them on a monthly basis.

SASSA Old Age Grant

Eligibility Criteria of  SASSA Old Aged Pension:

SASSA Old Aged Pension

For a person willing to get SASSA old age grant should fall under following conditions:

  • He/she should be a citizen of South Africa or a recognized refugee and living permanently in South Africa.
  • He/she must not be living in any state funded station.
  • His/her age should be more than 60 years
  • He/she must not be receiving any other grant.
  • For single assets must not increase more than R1 372 800 and for married assets must not increase more than R2 745 600.
  • If he is single then his monthly income should not be more than R8 070 and if he/she is married then income should not increase more than R16 140 per month.
  • He/she must comply with the means test.

Understanding SASSA’s Old Age Means test:

SASSA Old Aged Pension means test is a technique that SASSA uses to evaluate the income, assets and other financial aspects of the applicant who had ap

SSA Old Aged Pension means test is a technique that SASSA uses to evaluate the income, assets and other financial aspects of the applicant who had applied for the old age grant. Its aim is to make sure that the grant should be paid only to the deserving people. The means test is comprised of two thresholds:

  • Income Threshold:
  • Annual income of a single person should not be more than R96 840 per annum.
  • Annual income of a married person and spouse should not exceed R193 680 per year.
  • Assets Threshold:
  • Worth of assets for a single person should not exceed R1 372 800 if he is single.
  • Worth of assets for a married person including spouse should not be more than R193 600.

Please note that  the means test elevation criteria is different for every application.

SASSA Old Aged Pension

Status Check for SASSA Old Aged Pension:

SASSA Old Aged Pension

Once you have applied for the SASSA grant for old aged persons it is necessary that you must keep checking the status of your application. You can check the status of the application if it is proved or declined through following ways:

  • Visiting SASSA SRD official website: srd.sassa.gov.za/said
  • Through Moya App
  • Through Whatsapp number 082-046-8553
  • Through SASSA Toll Free number 0800-60-1011
  • Through SMS at 082-046-8553

Documents required for applying SASSA Old Aged Pension:

Following documents are will be needed while applying for SASSA Old Aged Pension:

  1. Your 13 digit ID number.
  2. A signed sworn statement that should be signed by a well known person(a counsellor, a trader, or a school minister) of town who may verify your name and age.
  3. Oath template downloaded from the SASSA SRD website and filled it properly in the presence of SASSA verified oath commissioner.
  4. An ID issued by the South Africa Department of Home Affairs. This ID is necessary for getting the grant.
  5. Evidence of marital status. It may be 
  • A marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree(in case you and your spouse are separated)
  1. Your current address.
  2. Evidence of your assets that you own.
  3. Your bank statement which should provide details of transaction of last three months
  4. Discharge certificate issued by your previous employer that proves that you are unemployed.
  5. Death certificate of your spouse if the spouse has died within 5 years.
SASSA Old Aged Pension

Balance Check For SASSA Old Age Grant:

SASSA Old Aged Pension

SASSA provides a service of balance check by which grantees can check how much amount is remaining for them so that they can manage their expenses accordingly. When your SASSA Old Aged Pension will be approved then you can regularly check the remaining balance by following ways:

  1. By visiting SASSA official website
  2. Calling at SASSA Toll Free number 0800-60-1011
  3. Through WhatsApp number 082-046-8553
  4. At ATMs of banks
  5. Dialling a USSD code at your dial pad of your phone *120*1320*#

SASSA Old Age Grant Review:

SASSA reviews the application to check whether your Financial status has improved or not or you still fulfil the criteria of means test. SASSA has the right to review old age grant applications during the process of application and it is also helpful for SASSA to verify that you are still alive.

You will receive a notice from SASSA  about three months prior to reviewing your application and you will be asked to submit a “Life Certificate” as proof that you are alive.

If you have selected a bank account as a payment method then you will need to provide a life certificate every year to the bank in which you have an account and in case you are then SASSA officials will visit your residence to verify that you are alive.

SASSA Old Aged Pension

Why Is My SASSA Grant Discontinued?

There are several reasons that the SASSA grant can be suspended. These reasons include:

  • Your financial situation has improved.
  • Personal details you provided found to be invalid or fake.
  • Grant was proved by SASSA due to any mistake.
  • As a result of the review.
  • You didn’t cooperate while your application was being reviewed.
SASSA Old Aged Pension

Old Age Grant Restoration Procedure:

If your grant is suspended or discontinued and you think that you are eligible for the old age grant then you own the right to appeal within 90 days of suspension of grant  for the restoration of grant.

Lapsing Of SASSA Old Age Grant:

SASSA Old Aged Pension

There may be several reasons due to which SASSA Old Age Grant will be temporary decline:

  • If the grantee has died.
  • SASSA reviews the status of grant annually if the grantee fails to provide the proof then the grant will be discontinued.
  • If you have been living or admitted to a government owned station.
  • You visited abroad and the duration of visit was more than 90 days.
  • If your financial situation has improved so much that you are no more eligible for the grant.
  • You have not been collecting the grant for more than 3 months continuously then your SASSA old age grant will be discontinued.

Processing Time For SASSA Old Age Grant:

Processing time for the SASSA old age grant is about 3 months. SASSA decides the fate of your application within three months since you applied for the grant. If your SASSA old age grant is accepted then you will start receiving the amount from the date you have applied for the grant an in case your application is rejected then SASSA will send you a letter informing you the reason for the rejection of your application.

SASSA Amount for Old Aged Persons Grant:

SASSA usually pays an amount of R2 090 to persons whose age is between 60 to 74. And for the applicants who are older than 74 years will receive an amount of R2 110 as an payment of SASSA old age grant.

SASSA Application Fee for Old Age Grant:

There is no fee/charge for applying for the SASSA Old Age Grant. The application for the grant is totally free.

Contact SASSA:

If you have any query or need any assistance regarding SASSA SRD grant than you can make contact with them through:

  • You can call a Toll Free number at SASSA’s call center : 0800 60 10 11
  • You can call SASSA’s Head office: 012 400 2322
  • Writing an email to Email : [email protected]
  • SASSA has offices across the country so you can visit any SASSA office near you to solve your query or get any information.