Concern and confusion over SASSA Old-Age Grant payments

South African elders who are reliant on the SASSA old-age grant have been anxiously awaiting their payments, scheduled for Wednesday 2 July. This after the suspension of thousands of old-age grants in June generated widespread panic and misinformation.

According to SASSA, the move is simply a crackdown on beneficiaries who don’t qualify to receive the grant, because they have undisclosed income that puts them above the eligibility threshold. Over 200 000 current beneficiaries were flagged as such.

In order to qualify for the old-age grant, the monthly income for a single person may not exceed R7 190 and their assets (e.g. a home) should not exceed R1 227 600. These limits are double for married applicants.

Grants may be withheld if recipients’ income exceeds these limits, even if the money is ad hoc earnings from informal employment or family support.

News circulating on social media claimed that pensioners have to reapply for their grants. This has been dismissed as false by SASSA. However, if you are among the beneficiaries who did not receive the grant in June, you are urged to contact your nearest SASSA office as soon as possible to undergo the verification process.