UPDATED: September 2024 SASSA grants outlook

With just weeks until the September 2024 SASSA grants are distributed, here’s the latest update on payment dates and eligibility requirements.

As The South African previously reported, South African Social Security Agency grants will be increasing before the end of 2024. But not across every class of grant …

As a result, the government grants not in line for an increase in October are SASSA Child Support, which remains unchanged at R530. Including, Child Support Top Up at R250. Likewise, SASSA Foster Care remains unchanged at R1 180. SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) also remains unchanged at R370. However, it is good news for SASSA Older Persons, Disability, Care Dependency and War Veterans grants which all enjoy a nominal increase in October. But more about that a little later …

SEPTEMBER 2024 SASSA GRANTS

For now, let’s look at the outlook for all September 2024 SASSA grants, including payments dates and amounts. SASSA Old-Age grant beneficiaries aged 60 to 74 will receive R2 180 and recipients aged 75 and older are in line to receive R2 200. The next payment date is Tuesday 3 September 2024. And to prove to the agency that you’re a permanent resident in South Africa and sufficiently underprivileged to qualify, you will have to supply the following documents in your application:

• Official identity document (ID), either a new smart card or green booklet.
• Documents proving your marital status.
• Proof of residence (ie. utility bill with your name on it).
• Confirmation of proof of income.
• Any and all relevant information regarding your assets, including valuation of property in your name.
• Declaration of private pension (if applicable).
• Valid and certified three-month bank statement.
• 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).

ASSET AND MEANS TEST

September 2024 SASSA grants are contingent on the agency’s asset and means test. For Older Person grants, this means you cannot earn more or have assets valued above a certain amount:

• Income must be less than R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year) if you are single.
• The income limit is R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year) if you are married.
• Total value of your assets declared must not exceed R1 372 800 if you’re single.
• Your total assets cannot be valued higher than R2 745 600 if you’re married.

Applications for September 2024 SASSA grants must be done in-person at an agency branch or office. There is no way to do so online. The application process can take upwards of three months to be approved. However, if you’re successful, you will receive backpay to the date of your application.

CHILDCARE GRANTS THIS SEPTEMBER

As most SASSA childcare grant recipients are aware, there are three different types of grants. Firstly, the SASSA Child Support Grant which goes to approximately 13-million residents. Your child must be younger than 18-years of age, and you have to pass the agency’s means test. Documents explaining that your income is less than R4 400 per month if single, or R8 800 per month if married (R52 800 and R105 600 per annum respectively), must be included in your application.

The same documents as stated above for Older Persons will need to readied for any SASSA childcare application. Also note that applicants can only have one grant running at a time. So, you cannot have receive a Foster Child or Older Person grant at the same time as Child Support. Additional for childcare grants, you will need to show the agency the following:

• A certified copy of the child’s ID and/or birth certificate.
• Certified evidence of spousal relationship/marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, etc).
• Evidence that the applicant is the child’s primary caregiver.
• Proof of your child’s school attendance.

The next round of SASSA Children’s Grants is paid on Thursday 5 September 2024.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

Recently approved legislation has made R330 billion for social welfare available going forward. While it’s anticipated this is to help launch the Basic Income Grant out of the current Social Relief of Distress stipend, it could mean more sizeable increase for traditional grants, too. Hopefully bigger than the miserly 4.8% increase we saw in 2023.

Here are the SASSA grant increases you can look forward to in October:

• SASSA Older Persons: Up by R10 to R2 190 (60 years and older) and R2 210 (75 years and older).
• SASSA Disability: Up by R10 to R2 190.  
• SASSA War Veterans: Up by R10 to R2 190.
• SASSA Care Dependency: Up by R10 to R2 190.