When must old-age pensioners reapply for SASSA Grants in 2024?
With the agency’s recent verification issues, we ask: When must old-age pensioners reapply for their SASSA grants in 2024?
Must old-age pensioners reapply for their grants in 2024? This is the question we’re asking after the New Year started poorly for the South African Social Security Agency with thousands of Children’s Grant beneficiaries having their accounts suspended.
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If you’re over the age of 60 and currently receive an Older Person’s government grant, you may wonder if old-age pensioners reapply for their benefits? Thankfully, barring any technical glitches with your account and occasional reviews, you do NOT need to reapply, according to Gov.za.
OLD-AGE PENSIONERS REAPPLY IN 2024
Even with this week’s SASSA glitch that saw roughly 150 000 accounts suspended for seemingly no reason, as we’ve explained before, you don’t need to reapply for an Older Person’s Grant. If your application was successful, congratulations, you will have access to that government grant till further notice.
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A reminder that the forms for an Older Person’s Grant are not available online, you must complete the application at a SASSA branch. Click the relevant links below to find a SASSA branch nearest you:
- SASSA offices in Gauteng.
- SASSA offices in Eastern, Northern and Western Cape.
- SASSA office in Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR OLD-AGE PENSION?
- South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees.
- You must live in South Africa.
- Don’t receive any other social grant from the government.
- Not in a state institution/care facility.
- You must earn less than R86 280 annually (R7 190 per month) if single.
- If married, you must not earn more than R172 560 annually (R14 380 per month).
- Net assets cannot exceed R1 227 600 if single or R2 455 200 if married.
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Gov.za does say your Older Person’s Grant may occasionally be reviewed to check they still qualify. This is to ensure people don’t take advantage of the system, and a confirmation of life certificate shows you have not passed away. SASSA has the right to review your status, but you must be notified three months in advance.
LAPSE OR SUSPENSION
However, your grant can be suspended if:
- Your circumstances change and you’re earning money again.
- If you fail to co-operate with a SASSA official while under review.
- You commit fraud and misrepresent yourself in the application.
- You’re absent from the country.
As of 1 October 2023, Older Person’s Grants paid will be:
- Older Person’s Grant (under 75 years): R2 090 per month.
- Older Person’s Grant (older than 75 years): R2 110 per month.
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