Who Qualifies For SASSA Old Age Grant: A Step To Step Guide In 2024

SASSA is a South African agency that gives aid to poor and jobless individuals. This agency provides financial aid to old individuals as well. If you are 60 years or more older. You can apply for the old age grant of SASSA. You will receive a financial aid of R2 180. But before you apply for this grant, you should know about its requirements. In this article, I will tell you who qualifies for SASSA old age grant. And how to apply for it. Let’s begin the show.

Eligibility Criteria About Who Qualifies For SASSA Old Age Grant:

There is a specific eligibility criteria for the old age grant. You will be eligible for that grant. If you fulfill these criteria’s.

South African Citizenship:

To be eligible for an old age grant, you should be a South African citizen. You should either be a permanent resident or refugee. You can use your ID or resident permit to prove it. You can use your 13 digit South African Refugee ID as well.

Residency:

You must be living within South Africa at the time of application.

No Other Social Grantt:

You should not be receiving any other social grant for yourself.

Not in State Institution:

You should not be cared for in a state institution. You should not be getting any aid from these institutions.

South African ID:

You should have a 13 digit, bar-coded identity document (ID). This ID is provided by South Africa to its citizens.

Age:

Your age must be 60 years or more.

Earning:

You must not be earning more than R86 280 if you are single. You should not be earning more than R172 560 if you are married.

Assists Owned:

You should not have assets worth more than R1 227 600 if you are single. And you should not have assets worth more than R2 455 200 if you are married.

Applying For The Disability Grant:

If you fulfill the criteria above. You are eligible for the old age grant. Now you can apply for it. To apply for the old age grant, follow these simple steps;

Gather Required Documents:

Before you move towards the application process. You should gather all of the required documents first. The documents you will need are;

Proof of Identity:

You should have your 13 digit South African (ID). If you don’t have a South African ID:

1. You should write an affidavit in the presence of the Oath Commissioner. The affidavit should be as per SASSA standard format.
2. You should make a sworn statement. Sign it by a reputable person like a councilor or minister. That person will verify your age and name. Bring that sworn statement along with you.
3. SASSA agents will have your fingerprints. Then you will be forwarded to Home Affairs department. You can apply for an ID now.

Proof of Marital Status:

You should have proof that you are single or married.

Residential Proof:

You should have a residency proof. You can use a utility

bill or lease agreement for this purpose.

Proof of earning and assets:

You should have proof of your earnings and assets. You can provide a bank statement. Or any other financial records for that purpose.

Bank statement:

It is necessary to provide a bank statement. It should be for the past three months.

Proof of owning any property:

If you own any property, you should have the property documents as well.

Pension proof:

You should have proof of having a private pension (if you have one).

Refugee ID:

If you are a refugee, provide your refugee permit and 13 digit refugee ID.

UIF documents:

If you were employed before. You will need to provide an Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) document (‘blue book’). You should provide a discharge certificate from your prior employer as well.

Spouse Will:

If your spouse died within the last five years. You should provide a copy of their will. It is for the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts.

Visit SASSA office:

When you have all the documents, you can visit the office of SASSA now. Visit the office. If you can’t visit yourself. You can send a family member or friend. They should have a doctor note stating that you can’t travel.

Get a form. Complete the form in the presence of a SASSA official. And submit the form.

Submit Documents:

Submit all of the documents mentioned above. Once they are submitted. You will be forwarded to the next step.

Undergo Assessment:

In the next step, you will have to go through an evaluation. SASSA will assign you an officer. The officer will have an interview with you. The officer will send the result to SASSA.

Await Processing:

After the interview, you will get a receipt. Now you will have to wait. SASSA will verify everything. This process may take up to three months. But once your grant is approved. You will be paid from the day you applied.

How Much Will You Get:

SASSA will pay you a maximum grant of R2 180 per month. But if you are older than 75 years. You will get a grant of R2 200.

Payment Modes:

You can have your payment in three payment modes. These three payment modes include;

1. You can have your payments in the form of cash. You can collect this cash at SASSA specified cash pay points.
2. You can have your payment in your bank account or a Postbank account.
3. You can have that payment through special institutions like old age homes etc.

If you are unable to collect the cash yourself. You can give someone power of attorney. And they can collect the cash for you.

When Will Be Your Grant Suspended:

You will receive the grant as long as your status is maintained. Your grant will be suspended if;

• Your economic situation has improved.
• You don’t cooperate during reviews.
• You are involved in any fraudulent activity.
• If your grant was approved mistakenly.

When Will Be Your Grant Lapsed:

Your grant will lapse if;

• You start living in a state funded institution.
• You have not claimed your grant consecutive three months.
• You are not in South Africa anymore.
• You passed away.

Conclusion:

SASSA provides old age grant to individuals who are 60 years or more old. It gives them financial support to fulfill their basic needs. If you are 60 years or more old. You can gather the required documents. And can apply for the old age grant using the simple steps stated above. If you feel any difficulties, feel free to contact SASSA. You can contact SASSA at their Toll free No 0800 60 10 11. You can also email SASSA at GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za. Apply today and have your grant.

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