The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) distributes a number of different social grant people living in South Africa.
One of the grants they are responsible for distributing is the older persons grant. This grant provides some financial assistance to people who are 60 years and older as they may no longer be able to work.
The older persons grant, commonly referred to as the pensioners grant, is worth a maximum of R1 890 per month while those who are older than 75 years old will receive up to R1 910 per month.
To qualify for the older persons grant, applicants must..
Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or a refugee
Be resident in South Africa
Be 60 years or older
Not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution
Not be in receipt of another social grant for himself or herself
Submit a 13 digit barcoded identity document or the smart ID card
Along with your spouse, take a means test
A means test is carried out to determine if you are deserving of the SASSA older persons grant. SASSA has put in place a number of monetary thresholds to ensure that only deserving grant applicants receive financial assistance.
For the older person's grant, the amount of private income you receive will directly impact how much your grant is worth. SASSA says ‘Grants for older persons, war veterans and people with disabilities are paid on a sliding scale. That is, the more private income you have, the smaller the government pension you will qualify for’.
The threshold for the older person's grant is R 174 800 for an individual and R 234 600 for a married couple. If you, or you and your spouse have an annual income of more than the above mentioned totals, you will not qualify for an older persons grant.
