Older Persons Grant

The Older Persons Grant is a monthly payment from SASSA that provides financial support to qualifying older South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees. This page explains general eligibility, the means test, required documents, how to apply and how payments and reviews work, drawing on official SASSA and South African Government guidance. This is general information only — always confirm your personal eligibility with SASSA.

This guide covers who generally qualifies for the Older Persons Grant, what SASSA checks during the application process, how the means test on income and assets works in broad terms, what documents to prepare, and what to expect once your grant is approved or if it is declined. Understanding these basics before you apply can help you gather the right paperwork and avoid an unnecessary delay.

Quick Facts

Paid monthly by SASSA to South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees aged 60 and older
Subject to a means test on the applicant’s (and spouse’s) income and assets
Maximum amount: R2,400 per month, rising to R2,420 per month once you turn 75 (verify on official SASSA sources, as amounts can change)
A family member or friend may apply on your behalf if you are too old or too sick to visit a SASSA office yourself

Who May Qualify

In general terms, this grant is aimed at South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees who are 60 years old or older, are not already receiving another social grant for themselves, and are not being cared for in a state institution. Reaching 60 does not automatically qualify you — the applicant and spouse must also meet SASSA’s means test on both income and assets.

As a general guide, SASSA has previously applied income thresholds of around R86,280 a year for a single applicant and R172,560 a year for a married couple’s combined income, together with asset thresholds of around R1,227,600 for a single applicant and R2,455,200 for a married couple. These figures are reviewed and adjusted by SASSA from time to time, so always confirm the current thresholds on the official SASSA website before applying.

Documents You Will Generally Need

Before visiting a SASSA office, it helps to gather the following where they apply to your situation:

Your 13-digit barcoded South African ID document.
Proof of your marital status, if applicable.
Proof of residence.
Proof of any income or dividends you receive.
Proof of your assets, including the value of any property you own.
Proof of a private pension, if you have one.
Your bank statements covering the previous three months.
If you were previously employed, proof of UIF membership (the “blue book”) or a discharge certificate from your former employer.
If your spouse passed away within the last five years, a copy of the will and the liquidation and distribution accounts, where applicable.

If you do not have an ID, SASSA can generally accept a sworn affidavit completed in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, along with a supporting statement from a reputable person such as a councillor, social worker or minister of religion who can confirm your name and age. You will usually still be referred to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for an ID, and not following through on this can put your grant at risk of suspension later.

How to Apply for the Older Persons Grant

Gather your ID document and supporting documents, including proof of income, assets and bank statements.
Having these documents ready before you visit or apply online is the biggest single factor in avoiding an unnecessary return trip or delay.
Apply in person at your local SASSA office, or online via the official SASSA channels where available.
If you’re applying in person, try to visit early in the day and confirm your nearest office’s operating hours beforehand to avoid long queues.
A SASSA official will interview you, verify your documents and capture your means-test information.
This step can take time if SASSA needs to confirm details with another database, so it’s normal for a decision not to be immediate.
Keep the receipt you are given as proof that you applied.
If your grant is approved, payment is generally backdated to the date you applied, so this receipt matters.
Wait to be notified of the outcome; if approved, payments begin according to the SASSA payment schedule.
If your application is declined, SASSA will provide a written reason, and you generally have the right to appeal.

If You Cannot Visit a SASSA Office Yourself

If you are too old or too sick to travel to a SASSA office, a family member or friend can generally apply on your behalf. They will usually need to bring a letter from you and, where possible, a doctor’s note explaining why you are unable to visit the office in person.

Payment Information

Once approved, the Older Persons Grant is currently paid at a maximum of R2,400 a month, rising to R2,420 a month once you turn 75, following SASSA’s published monthly payment schedule. SASSA can pay the grant into a bank or Postbank account, in cash at a designated pay point, or through an approved institution such as an old age home.

If you are unable to collect your own payment, you can appoint a procurator at a SASSA office, or give someone written power of attorney to collect it on your behalf. Note that if you are admitted to a state-contracted institution, your grant is generally reduced to 25% of the maximum amount from the fourth month of admission, and is reinstated in full once you are discharged.

View Payment Dates

Reviews, Suspension and When the Grant Lapses

SASSA can review the grant at any time, generally based on your declared income, and will usually notify you around three months before a review or life-certificate appointment is due. If you receive your money through a bank account, an institution or a procurator, you are required to complete a life certificate at a SASSA office every year.

Many of these annual life-certificate checks can now be completed online instead of in person. See our guide to SASSA e-Life Certification for how the self-service digital process works and what to do if you’re asked to certify.

The grant can be suspended if your circumstances change, following the outcome of a review, if you fail to cooperate with a review, if there was a mistake when it was approved, or if fraud or misrepresentation is found. It lapses completely if you pass away, are admitted to a state institution, do not claim it for three consecutive months, or are absent from the country.

What Happens If Your Application Is Declined

If SASSA declines your application, you should be told in writing why it was unsuccessful. If you believe the decision was incorrect, you can generally lodge an appeal with the Minister of Social Development through the national Department of Social Development office, typically within 90 days of receiving the outcome. This route is separate from the online appeal process used for declined SRD R370 applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming turning 60 is enough on its own, without preparing proof of income and assets for the means test.
Leaving out bank statements or proof of a private pension, which can slow down your assessment.
Not following through with the Department of Home Affairs after being referred there for a missing ID, which can lead to suspension.
Missing the annual life certificate appointment if paid through a bank, institution or procurator.

Tips for a Smoother Application

A few practical points can make the process easier: bring certified copies of your ID document where possible, keep a note of any reference number you’re given, and check your application status periodically rather than assuming no news means a problem. If your circumstances change after you apply, such as your income or living arrangements, let SASSA know, since this can affect your ongoing eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive the Older Persons Grant together with another grant?

Generally no — SASSA requires that you are not already receiving another social grant for yourself in order to qualify for the Older Persons Grant. Confirm your specific situation with SASSA if you currently receive a different grant.

What happens if my application is declined?

SASSA must tell you in writing why your application was unsuccessful. You can generally appeal to the Minister of Social Development through the Department of Social Development within about 90 days of the decision, which is a different process from the SRD R370 appeal route.

Do I get a higher amount once I turn 75?

Yes, the maximum amount generally increases slightly once you turn 75 compared with the standard rate paid from age 60. Confirm the exact current amounts on the official SASSA website, since figures are reviewed periodically.

What happens to my grant if I move into a state-funded institution?

If you are admitted to an institution that has a contract with the state to care for you, your grant is generally reduced to 25% of the maximum amount from the fourth month of admission, and is reinstated in full from the date you are discharged.

Disclaimer: SA Grant Dates is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. Eligibility rules, amounts and processes are determined by SASSA and may change. Always verify current details on the official SASSA website.

Official Sources & Review Date

Last reviewed: 16 August 2026. This page is based on the official SASSA website and South African Government social-benefits guidance. Rules, amounts and procedures can change, so confirm important decisions through an official SASSA channel.