Get to know how Older Person’s Grant works in South Africa and find out if you qualify for the social benefit!
The Older Person’s Grant is a type of social assistance provided by the South African government to support older citizens who have little or no income. Also referred to as the old age pension, this grant is part of South Africa’s broader social safety net designed to alleviate poverty.
It is a lifeline for many elderly citizens, providing vital income support, which helps them meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. So, find out whether or not you qualify to get this grant for managing daily expenses and enjoying a better quality of life in your later years. Also, if you want to check out more financial tips on our website, you can click on this link!
What Is a Older Person’s Grant?
This grant is a crucial social assistance program designed to support elderly citizens who are financially vulnerable. Administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), it ensures that older individuals can maintain a basic standard of living even if they lack other sources of income, playing a vital role in the well-being of the country’s elderly population, many of whom rely on this financial support to survive.
How Does Older Person’s Grant Work in South Africa?
It is available to citizens or permanent residents who meet specific age and income criteria. To apply, individuals must visit a SASSA office, where they will be required to complete an application form and submit supporting documentation. Once the application is submitted, SASSA conducts a verification process to determine whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
Once approved, beneficiaries receive the grant on a monthly basis. Payments are typically made through direct bank transfers, electronic vouchers, at SASSA pay points, or at an institution acting as administrator of the grant. If you are unable to collect the money yourself, you can appoint a procurator at the SASSA office, or give someone power of attorney to collect the it on your behalf. The flexibility in payment options allows that the social benefit reaches even those in rural or remote areas where banking infrastructure might be limited.
Beneficiaries may be subject to periodic re-assessments to confirm continued eligibility. You will be notified three months in advance of the date when the review will take place or the date on which the life certificate (proof that you are still alive) is due. The grant can be suspended if a beneficiary fails to comply with the requirements, such as not informing SASSA of changes in their financial status.
How Much Do You Get From It?
The Older Person’s Grant South Africa provides a monthly payment of R2,180 for individuals aged 60 to 74. For those aged 75 and older, the grant amount is slightly higher, at R2,200 per month. These amounts are subject to periodic adjustments by the government to account for inflation and other economic factors. On October 2024, the grant will increase by R10, meaning the new amount will be R2,190 per month for those bellow 75 years old and R2,210 per month for those over 75 years old.
Who Qualifies for Older Person’s Grant In South Africa?
The eligibility is based on a combination of age, income, and residency status. The following criteria must be met:
- Age Requirement: the applicant must be 60 years or older to qualify;
- Residency: be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee, living in South Africa;
- Income and Assets: the grant is means-tested, meaning that the applicant’s income and assets must fall below certain thresholds. For instance, a single applicant must not earn more than R86,280 per year, and their assets should not exceed R1,227,600. For married applicants, the combined income should not exceed R172,560 per year, and their combined assets should be below R2,455,200. These thresholds are also periodically reviewed and updated;
- Other Requirements: the applicant cannot receive any other social grant or be cared for in a state institution, in order to apply.
How to Apply
First, the applicant needs to visit their nearest SASSA office. Applicants will fill out an application form and submit the necessary documents to SASSA staff. You’ll need to take the following required documents with you:
- Your 13 digit-bar-coded identity document (ID);
- Proof of your marital status (if applicable);
- Proof of residence;
- Proof of your income and/or dividends (if any);
- Proof of your assets, including the value of the property you own;
- Proof of your private pension (if any);
- Your bank statements of the previous three months;
- If you were employed, proof of your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership (‘blue book’) or discharge certificate from your previous employer;
- If your spouse died within the last five years, a copy of the will and the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts where applicable.
Keep in mind that, if you are too old or sick to travel to the office to apply, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf. The person will need to take a letter from you and/or a doctor’s note saying why you cannot visit the office.
If you don’t have an ID, you must complete an affidavit in a standard SASSA format in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths who is not a SASSA official. For it, you’ll need a sworn statement signed by a reputable person (like a councillor, traditional leader, social worker, minister of religion or school principal) who can verify your name and age. Then, the SASSA official will take your fingerprints. You will be referred to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the ID while your application is processed.
After you complete the application form in the presence of the SASSA official, you will be given a receipt. Keep it as proof that you applied. It may take up to three months to process your application. If your grant is approved, you will be paid from the date on which you applied.