sassa disability grant
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed its May 2024 payment schedule. Take a look if you are eligible to collect. Image: File

Home » SASSA introduces stricter means test to eliminate money wastage

SASSA introduces stricter means test to eliminate money wastage

Following revelations of millions in grants being paid to the deceased, stricter SASSA means test in 2024 will spell the end of free rides …

By Ray Leathern
03-05-24 11:46
in Business and Finance
sassa disability grant
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed its May 2024 payment schedule. Take a look if you are eligible to collect. Image: File

The South African Social Security Agency is introducing stricter SASSA means test in 2024 to eliminate millions of Rands of wastage in the system. The genesis of this comes from February’s Budget Speech, when the Finance Minister announced 4.8% grant increases for Older Persons and Children’s grants across the board.

At the same time, the Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu gazetted amendments to the department’s recovery process for irregular payments. This follows January 2024’s bombshell that SASSA has been paying R140 million to more than 75 000 deceased people over three years.

STRICTER SASSA MEANS TESTS IN 2024

stricter SASSA means tests in 2024
Beneficiaries should brace for stricter SASSA means tests in 2024 following amendments by the agency. Image: File

Furthermore, The South African reported that more than 81 500 Child Support grants have been suspended between April 2023 and January 2024. Grant payments to deceased people is a far more common occurrence than you might imagine. It can happen to elderly people who receive SASSA state pension. Likewise, it can occur in childcare grants when the child or parents pass away. But a family memeber still continues to collect the monthly payout.

As a result, the agency is introducing stricter SASSA means test in 2024. More accurately, the tests themselves remain the same, but the qualification and review process will be more stringent, so people are not found to be taking advantage. Therefore, here’s a reminder on what SASSA looks for in a means test in 2024.

CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION

stricter SASSA means tests in 2024
If you’re found to have misrepresented your actual means, you will be reviewed by SASSA. Image: File

As we’ve reported before, the agency cannot surprise you with a sudden review of your SASSA grant, no matter if it is Older Persons or Childcare. They must provide to you, in writing, three-months’ notice that your grant is up for review.

  • For SASSA Child Support, your banking records must show your annual income is less than R105 600 if married, or R8 800 per month. And R52 800 annually if single, or R4 400 per month.
  • For SASSA Older Persons grants, if single, your statements cannot reflect more than R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year). If married, your total income cannot exceed R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year). For a state pension there is also an asset limitation. Which is R1 372 800 if single, and R2 745 600 if married.

OTHER REASONS FOR EXCLUSION

stricter SASSA means tests in 2024
Millions of Rands has been paid to tens of thousands deceased beneficiaries. Image: File

Allied to stricter SASSA means tests in 2024, the agency is clamping down on all qualifying criteria. Therefore, they will police the following much more closely to reduce the number of irregular payments. Instant suspension will come if:

  • Grants have not been collected for three consecutive months.
  • If the beneficiary passes away.
  • The beneficiary is cared for in a state institution.
  • You fail to cooperate with the agency’s grant review in any way.
  • You misrepresented your means in any way to SASSA and have therefore committed fraud.

If your SASSA grant is suspended, you do have the right to appeal any exclusion to the Department of Social Development. Follow the highlighted LINK, fill in all the relevant forms and lodge an appeal within 90 days.

UPCOMING PAYMENT DATES FOR THE REST OF 2024

stricter SASSA means tests in 2024
Be sure to diarise the remaining payment dates for 2024. Image: File

MAY 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Friday 3 May 2024 (today).
  • Disability Grants: Monday 6 May 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Tuesday 7 May 2024.

JUNE 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 4 June 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Wednesday 5 June 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Thursday 6 June 2024.

JULY 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 2 July 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Wednesday 3 July 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Thursday 4 July 2024.

AUGUST 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Friday 2 August 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Monday 5 August 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Tuesday 6 August 2024.

SEPTEMBER 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 3 September 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Wednesday 4 September 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Thursday 5 September 2024.

OCTOBER 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Wednesday 2 October 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Thursday 3 October 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Friday 4 October 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 5 November 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Wednesday 6 November 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Thursday 7 November 2024.

DECEMBER 2024

  • Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 3 December 2024.
  • Disability Grants: Wednesday 4 December 2024.
  • Children’s Grants: Thursday 5 December 2024.
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