Part of applying for a social grant includes being evaluated through a means test. Here's what a means test is and how it affects your application for a grant through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
A means test is used by SASSA to determine whether or not grant applicants qualify for assistance.
SASSA conducts the means test by evaluating the income and assets of the person applying in order to determine that the person's income and assets are below a stipulated amount.
This is done because SASSA grants are meant to benefit those who do not have the financial means to support themselves.
The means test does however vary from one grant type to another. For example, the older persons grant, war veterans grant and disability grant are all paid on a sliding scale.
This means the more private income the applicant has, the smaller the government pension they will qualify for.
SASSA INCOME THRESHOLD
Grants for older persons, disability and war veterans
- Income threshold: Not earn more than R86 280 if you are single or R172 560 if married (annual amounts)
- Asset threshold: Not have assets worth more than 1 227 600 if you are single or R2 455 200 if you are married.
Child Support Grants
- Single person: Not earn more than R 54 000 per year
- Married person: Not earn more than R 108 000 per year
Care Dependency Grants:
- Single person: Not earn more than R 223 200 per year
- Married person: Not earn more than R 446 400 per year
