SASSA Old Age Grant Increase 2024 Check out the South African Social Security Agency Old age Grant increase for the year 2024.In the Budget Speech delivered in February, the Minister of Finance had announced that social grants across the board were set to increase over the course of 2024.
SASSA Old Age Grant Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the SASSA Old Age Grant in 2024, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: The applicant must be 60 years or older. This is a fundamental requirement and the primary reason for the grant’s existence, as it targets individuals who may have retired from work and require additional income.
- Citizenship/Residency Status: The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
- Residency: The applicant must be residing in South Africa. This means that the individual must be physically present in the country and intend to remain there for the foreseeable future.
- Means Test: The applicant and their spouse (if applicable) must comply with the means test.
- Not Receiving Another Social Grant: The applicant must not be receiving any other social grant from the government for themselves.
- Not Cared for in a State Institution: The applicant must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution. This refers to facilities such as government-funded old age homes, rehabilitation centres, or prisons.
2024 SASSA Old Age Grant Increase
The following specific increases became effective on 1 April 2024, and represent the new grant amounts:
- SASSA old-age pension (the Older Persons Grant) will increase by R100 for the 2024 year, as follows:
- from 1 April 2024, the grant increased by R90, which means the new grant amount is R2 180 per month for recipients between 60 and 74 years old, and R2 200 per month, for recipients over 75 years old.
- on 1 October 2024, the grant will increase by a further R10, which means the new grant amount will be R2 190 per month for recipients between 60 and 74 years old, and R2 210 per month, for recipients over 75 years old.
- The Disability Grant will increase by R100 for the 2024 year, as follows:
- from 1 April 2024, the grant increased by R90, which means the new grant amount is R2,180 per month.
- on 1 October 2024, the grant will increase by a further R10, which means the new grant amount will be R2,190 per month.
- The Care Dependency Grant will increase by R100 for the 2024 year, as follows:
- from 1 April 2024, the grant increased by R90, which means the new grant amount is R2,180 per month.
- on 1 October 2024, the grant will increase by a further R10, which means the new grant amount will be R2,190 per month.
- The War Veterans Grant will increase by R100 for the 2024 year, as follows:
- from 1 April 2024, the grant increased by R90, which means the new grant amount is R2,200 per month.
- On 1 October 2024, the grant will increase by a further R10, which means the new grant amount will be R2,210 per month.
- The Foster Child Grant increased by R50 for the 2024 year, which means that from 1 April 2024, the grant is R1 180 per month.
- The Child Support Grant increased by R20 for the 2024 year, which means that from 1 April 2024, the grant is R530 per month (or R780, with the additional top-up of R250).
- The SRD (Social Relief Distress) Grant increased by R20 for the 2024 year, which means that from 1 April 2024, the grant is R370 per month.
Individuals who fall into one of the above categories and have ZERO financial support, can apply for a SASSA grant by going to the SASSA website.
How Much Will the Old Age Grant Go Up?
Due to the statements made by the ministers, beneficiaries will receive a higher amount of money compared to the previous fiscal year. The 2024-2025 SASSA pension distribution for elderly individuals is split into two segments, depending on the recipient’s age.
From October 1, 2024, individuals aged 60 to 74 will receive an increase in the Old Age Grant to R2,090 from the previous amount of R2,080. The SASSA Older Person Grant, previously R2,100, will now be R2,110 for individuals aged 75 and above.
Also, Minister Godongwana said that the government will spend more on grants because more people in South Africa are getting them.
How is the SASSA Old Age Grant Paid?
If your grant application is approved, you’ll start getting paid from the date you applied. SASSA gives out the grant in several ways. For example, they might pay you cash at a certain place on a certain day. Or, they might deposit the money electronically into your bank or Postbank account (but the bank might charge you for this). They might also give the money to places like assisted living facilities.
If you can’t get the money, you can choose someone at the SASSA office to do it for you. Or, you can give someone permission to collect the money for you. The income you reported on your application might make SASSA decide to review your grant. They’ll let you know about the review or when it’s due three months in advance.
