Update on SASSA Older Person grants for November 2024

The year has sped by, and the November 2024 SASSA Older Person grants are now set to be distributed to elderly residents across the country. The South African Social Security Agency is tasked with looking after and administering taxpayer money for more than four-million November 2024 SASSA Older Person grants.

As The South African reported last month, the country’s elders enjoyed a nominal SASSA grant increase back in October. However, that was the final hike to government pensions for 2024. Most likely until April 2025 when a fresh round of increases from the finance minister and National Treasury will be approved.

NOVEMBER 2024 SASSA OLDER PERSON GRANTS

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and remind you of when November 2024 SASSA Older Person grants will be disbursed, how much they will pay and who is eligible if you’re not already a beneficiary. This month’s payments take place on Tuesday 5 November 2024. If you’re an eligible beneficiary aged between 60 to 74 you will receive R2 190. Recipients over the age of 75 benefit from the highest ‘core’ SASSA grant in the country – R2 210.

Likewise, you may want to diarise the remaining old-age grant dates from SASSA, so you can plan your finances for year end. They are as follows:

• Tuesday 3 December 2024
• Friday 3 January 2025
• Tuesday 4 February 2025
• Tuesday 4 March 2025

WILL YOUR SASSA GRANT BE REVIEWED?

As mentioned previously, you will not have to reapply for a government pension after you’ve been approved. Or if the grants increase as anticipated in April 2025. However, the agency reserves the right to review your SASSA grant if it so chooses. To do so, it must alert you in writing and give you three-month’s notice of the procedure so you can prepare your finances.

Similarly, if you ever move, you don’t have to reapply for benefits, but you must alert the agency of your change of address. If you are not yet in line for November 2024 SASSA Older Person grants, remember that applications can take upwards of three months to be processed by SASSA. However, when approved, you will receive funds backdated to the time of your application.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR OLD AGE PENSION

Suffice to say, the number one thing you need to qualify for November 2024 SASSA Older Person grants is to be 60 years of age or older. There is also an asset and means test criteria. This is so people who have sufficient retirement benefits don’t take government money away from those who truly need it:

• You must not earn more than R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year) if single.
• Your household income limit must be less than R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year) if married.
• Total value of your assets declared must not exceed R1 372 800 if single.
• And total household assets if married must not be valued higher than R2 745 600.

HOW TO PROVE YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Then you need to apply at your nearest/most convenient SASSA office. And these are the documents you will need:

• Official bar-coded identity document (ID) – smart card or green booklet.
• Documents proving your marital status.
• A proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it not older than three months).
• Confirmation of your proof of income and/or financial dividends.
• Any relevant information regarding your assets, including a valuation of any property you own.
• Declaration of any private pension in your name (if applicable).
• Valid three months’ statements certified by your bank (not more than three months old).
• Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous employer.
• A copy of your will, and first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years.

WHAT IF YOU NEED HELP?

The good news is the agency allows a friend, family member or loved one to assist with you with your application. All you need is a letter from a doctor. Likewise, there is additional funding available for assisted living – otherwise known as SASSA Grant-in-Aid – if you require a full-time at-home caregiver. This stipend to help pay for additional help isn’t much, just R530, but it ups grant benefits like so:

• Older Persons (75 +): R2 210 + R530 = R2 740
• Older Persons (60 – 74): R2 190 + R530 = R2 720
• War Veterans: R2 190 + R530 = R2 720
• Disabled: R2 190 + R530 = R2 720

CONTACT SASSA HERE

The SASSA online service portal is finally back up and running. However, you can keep these agency contacts handy should you ever need them:

• SASSA Head Office and toll-free line: 012 400 2322 / 0800 601 011
• Email SASSA: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za
• Or email: president@presidency.gov.za

And if your application for November 2024 SASSA Older Person grants is denied, you have 90 days to appeal the decision by downloading and submitting the documents HERE