How to apply for the older persons grant

The older persons grant used to be called the old age pension. SASSA works out your amount with a means test, so you may get less than the maximum. If you are older than 75, the maximum is slightly higher. The maximum amounts are set each year in the national Budget. The old age pension page on gov.za gives the amounts, but it may not show an increase straight away, so confirm them with SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.

Who qualifies

SASSA’s grant booklet says you must:

• be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee living in South Africa,
• be 60 or older,
• not be cared for in a state-funded institution,
• not get another social grant for yourself, and
• pass the means test.

Not sure which grant fits you or someone you care for? Answer a few questions in our grant finder.

How the means test works

The means test looks at your income and assets, and your spouse’s if you are married. If they are below SASSA’s limits, you may qualify. The older persons grant is paid on a sliding scale: the more private income you have, the smaller the grant. Above the limits, SASSA won’t approve the grant.

The limits are reviewed every year. Ask SASSA which limits apply when you apply.

What to take with you

Take certified copies of your documents. SASSA’s booklet lists:

• your 13-digit barcoded ID, and your spouse’s if you are married,
• your Section 24 refugee permit, if you apply as a refugee,
• proof of your marital status, such as a marriage certificate, your spouse’s death certificate, a divorce order, or an affidavit if your spouse deserted you,
• your latest payslip (not older than three months), and your spouse’s,
• three months of bank statements for every active account you and your spouse hold,
• a bank confirmation letter or three months of statements for the account you want the grant paid into, which must be in your own name,
• proof of deductions such as tax, UIF, medical aid or a private pension, and
• proof of assets, such as property you don’t live in, investments, shares or endowment policies.

SASSA may ask for more during your interview. If you don’t have an ID, gov.za says you can make a sworn statement on a SASSA form and bring a statement from someone who can confirm your name and age, such as a councillor, traditional leader, social worker or school principal. SASSA takes your fingerprints and refers you to Home Affairs to apply for an ID while your application is processed.

How to apply

1. Go to the SASSA office nearest to where you live. If you are too old or sick to travel, a family member or friend can go for you with a letter from you or a doctor’s note that says why you can’t come.
2. Fill in the application form in front of a SASSA officer. Only you or a SASSA official may complete it.
3. The officer interviews you and tells you whether you qualify.
4. Keep the receipt SASSA gives you. It is your proof that you applied.

SASSA counts your application date as the day you hand in all the required documents and an official accepts them, so take everything on your first visit. SASSA’s booklet also lists a grant application portal, services.sassa.gov.za. If it doesn’t open, apply at a SASSA office.

After you apply

gov.za says it can take up to three months to process an application. If SASSA approves it, you are paid from the date you applied.

If SASSA can’t give you an outcome on the day, follow up at the office, call 0800 60 10 11 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

If SASSA turns you down, it must tell you why in writing and how to appeal. Your appeal goes to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals, not to the Minister of Social Development. Appeal within 90 days of SASSA’s decision. The days count from the date of the decision, not from the day you hear about it, so don’t wait. Our deadline calculator works out the last day.

Ask a SASSA official to help you fill in the appeal form (Form 1). SASSA must send it to the tribunal within 15 days. You can also email your appeal to Grantappeals@dsd.gov.za. Include a copy of your ID and a copy of SASSA’s decision: the tribunal treats your appeal as lodged only once it has both. If more than 90 days have passed, you can still ask the tribunal to accept a late appeal on Form 2 and explain why you are late.

How you are paid

SASSA pays the grant into an active bank account in your own name. Older persons grants are paid first each month. How SASSA pays explains the payment order and where SASSA publishes the payment dates. If you use a SASSA card from Postbank and lose it, see what to do if your SASSA card is lost or stolen.

If you can’t collect or manage the grant yourself, you can appoint a procurator to act for you. You both sign SASSA’s power of attorney form, available at SASSA offices, in front of a commissioner of oaths. If you need someone to care for you full time, you may also qualify for a grant-in-aid on top of your grant.

Keep your grant

• Tell SASSA when your income, marital status, address or phone number changes.
• Answer SASSA when it asks you to come in for a review. Ignoring a review can lead to a suspended grant.
• Tell SASSA before you leave South Africa for more than 90 days.
• If your grant is suspended because it wasn’t collected for more than three months in a row, or because you missed a review, apply to have it restored within 30 days of the suspension.

Stay safe

Applying is free. SASSA says it will never ask for your PIN, so never share it with anyone, including someone who says they work for SASSA or your bank. See how to spot SASSA scams.