Everything you NEED when applying for a SASSA Old Age Pension

The South African Social Security Agency sees a marked increase of applications for the SASSA Old Age Pension over the festive season. Otherwise known as the Old Person’s Grant, the government-backed endowment makes up more than 60% of the income in the households where it is administered.

Click on the links for payment dates in 2024 and a better understanding of the threshold for the SASSA Means Test threshold. Below is everything you’ll need to supply when applying for a SASSA Old Age Pension. A reminder that you must be 60-years of age or older to be eligible.

SASSA OLD AGE PENSION

According to the Gov.za website, visit or take your elderly loved one to your nearest SASSA branch. Unfortunately, the applications forms are NOT available online, you must apply for a SASSA Old Age Pension in person so staff can assist you fully.

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Follow the links below to find a branch nearest to you, no matter where you live in South Africa:

• Eastern Cape
• Free State
• Gauteng
• Kwa-Zulu Natal
• Limpopo
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Northern Cape
• Western Cape

DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED

From there, you need to bring along the following documents:

• Your 13-digit bar-coded identity document (ID).
• If you don’t have an ID, a SASSA staff member will assist you with format documents for an ID application.
• Supply proof of your marital status.
• Proof of residence.
• Documents showing proof of your income and/or dividends.
• Information proving your assets, including the value of the property you own.
• Proof of a private pension (if any).
• Bank statements from the previous three months.
• If you were previously employed, your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership ‘blue book’ or discharge certificate from your previous employer.
• Should your spouse have died within the last five years, a copy of the will and the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts.

WHAT’S CONSIDERED INCOME BY SASSA?

It’s important to understand what constitutes income in the eyes of the agency. This is not anything other than understanding whether you are in need of a SASSA Old Age Pension. Its so people don’t take advantage of the system and take pensions away from those who are genuinely needy.

• If you receive money from a private pension.
• Money from any business or work.
• Financial help from friends or relatives (as reflected in bank statements).
• Earnings through renting out a portion of your house or a property you own.
• Maintenance payments for child.
• A salary from a regular job.
• Compensation from other government sources, like UIF, RAF or COIDA.

WHAT DOES SASSA CONSIDER AN ASSET?

According to SGSC, when applying for a SASSA Old Age Pension, the agency will consider the following as assets in your name:

• Money in your or your spouse’s bank account.
• The value of property or land that you and/or your spouse possess.
• Properties or land with an outstanding bond are considered to have zero value.
• The value of all investments owned by you or your spouse, like shares or any other type of investments.
• Note that a retirement fund annuity will not be considered an asset.
• However, if you are retired from a retirement fund, your annuity will be included as an asset.
• Outstanding debt, such as bonds and loans.

CAN SOMEONE ASSIST WITH THE APPLICATION?  

Of course, if you are too old or sick to travel to the office to apply, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf. The person must take a letter from you and/or a doctor’s note saying why you cannot visit the office. Complete the application form in the presence of the SASSA officer.

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