Apply for Sassa Old Age Pension – South African Government

BySASSA Status Check
Apply for Sassa Old Age Pension – South African Government

The South African Social Security Agency in South Africa is working for betterment of the living standards of needy citizens. Those who are dealing with financial crises and are living an unstable life can apply for SASSA funds and grants and can get financial assistance to fulfill their basic needs. 

The organization offers several different types of grants including SASSA old age pension. How can you apply for SASSA old age pension? What is its eligibility criteria? How to qualify and step-by-step procedures you have to follow and documents you need to submit! We are going to describe everything below.

Apply For SASSA Old Age Pension 

Old age pension is basically the older person’s grant that the organization offers in the form of monthly payments. These payments are made to legal permanent residents of South Africa or those citizens and refugees who are above the age of 60 and are unable to earn for themselves or those who do not have any income source. 

The grant is particularly made for older people so they can live their life easily and can get the basic necessities of life. In order to apply for an old age pension or older person grant from SASSA, there is this certain eligibility criteria that you have to fulfill. Let’s discuss the requirements you have to fulfill to qualify for an older person grant.

Eligibility Requirements 

Here is the list of eligibility requirements that you have to fulfill to apply for SASSA older person grant. Make sure to pay attention and understand the requirements before initiating with the application procedure so you can have an idea about whether you are eligible for the grant or not. The eligibility requirements you have to fulfill includes,

  • You should be a South African citizen or should be a refugee or a permanent resident in the country.
  • You have to make sure that you live in South Africa
  • You also have to make sure that your age is either 60 years or older than 60 years. 
  • You have to make sure that you are not living in the state institution in order to get a Sassa older person grant.
  • Moreover, you also have to make sure that you are not receiving any payments from any of the state institutions or any other social grant.
  • Make sure to meet the requirements of the means test, which means you should not be earning more than R 86,280 if you are single or more than R 17,2560 if you are married.
  • Furthermore, you should not have assets more than R 1 227 600 if you are single and not more than R 2 455 200. if you are married. Remember not only you but your spouse also should meet the requirements of the means test.
Eligibility Criteria for the Sassa old age grant

How To Apply? Step By Step Procedure

If you think you fulfill the eligibility criteria and you are eligible for getting an older person grant, here is the step-by-step procedure that you have to follow. If you want to apply smoothly without any interruptions or problems you have to understand the steps mentioned above. In order to apply for the SASSA older person grant, the organization offers you two different ways. 

Keep in mind basically the SASSA old age pension is of two types. One for those who are between the age of 60 to 75 years and one for those who are above the age of 75 years. The grant payments for both are different. The maximum amount you can get if you are eligible for SASSA older person grant is R 2190 per month, if you are between 60 to 75 years of age. However if you are above 75 years of age the maximum amount you can get is R 2210 Per month.

Applying Through Online

In order to apply for SASSA old age grant via online method, what you have to do is,

  • You have to first register on SASSA official website By clicking on Services.sassa.gov.zda/_ 
  • And then you have to log in to your account after registering. 
  • Now look for the option of applying for a grant. 
  • Click on that and you will see the list of available grants. 
  • Look for the “older person grants” type and select this grant type. 
  • You will be directed to the online application form. 
  • This online application form has several fields that you have to fulfill. 
  • You have to complete all the required fields and have to provide the information about you. 
  • Make sure to provide correct and true information.
  • Then you have to print the affidavit that SASSA has generated. 
  • You have to print it and get it signed by the commissioner of oaths. 
  • Then you have to attach all the documents by uploading them. 
  • You have to scan the documents or go with taking clear photos. 
  • Make sure to take clear photos that should not blur. 
  • It would be better for you to scan them. 
  • Upload all the scanned documents to the SASSA portals and double check everything before finalizing. Then you have to click on “submit.”

Applying Through Offline Method 

In order to apply for SASSA older person grants through offline method what you have to do is to,

  • Locate the nearest SASSA office around you. 
  • Then you have to visit the SASSA office by taking all the necessary documents along with you. 
  • Ask the sitting person that you want to get an older person grant. 
  • The official will provide you with the application form. 
  • You have to fill in the application form by providing accurate and genuine information. 
  • Make sure to provide clear Information and do not mislead the organization.
  • Then you have to attach all the necessary documents to your application form and submit the application along with the documents to the sitting person. 
  • Do not forget to receive the receipt from the sitting person as the receipt works as the proof of application submission.

Documents You Need To Submit

Here is the list of the documents that you have to submit to apply for SASSA older person grant. Make sure to arrange all the documents beforehand so you can apply for the card without any problems. In order to apply for SASSA old age pension, the documents you have to submit includes,

  • Your official identity document and in case you do not have your identity document with you, you can complete an affidavit on standard SASSA form. 
  • It should be completed in the presence of the commissioner of oaths. 
  • You also have to submit the proof of your marital status that should confirm whether you are married, divorced or widow. 
  • Furthermore, you also have to submit your residential proof. 
  • You have to attach the proof of your assets and have to submit the information about the value of the property that you own. 
  • You have to submit your income proof and dividends. 
  • You have to submit proof of any type of private pension, if you are getting any. 
  • You have to submit your three month bank statement. 
  • Moreover make sure to attach UIF, Unemployment Insurance Fund or your discharge certificate if you are employed.
  • In case your spouse has died in the last five years, you have to submit the death certificate of your spouse and their first and final liquidation and distribution accounts. 

Is It Possible That SASSA Old Age Grant Gets Suspended?

Yes, there are chances that your old age grant gets suspended. There are certain reasons that lead to suspension of your grant. These reasons include,

  • The grant recipient is not cooperating with the organization reviews on application. 
  • If there is any type of fraud or misrepresentation that has been proved in the documents or information that the applicant has provided. 
  • The grant can also get suspended if there is any type of error in the document. 
  • Your grant can also get suspended if you do not receive your grant income for more than three months. 
  • Moreover, if the grant holder dies or if he is absent from the republic for more than three months the grant will be suspended.

What Are The Payment Options You Have To Receive Old Age Pension Grant From SASSA?

There are several payment methods via which you can receive an old age pension grant from SASSA. You can either go with opting the method of receiving the payment as cash at a particular pay point on a particular day or receiving the money as electronic deposit into your bank. Moreover, you can also get the payment from selected institutions like old age homes. One of the best things about the payment options is that if you are unable to collect your payment in person, you can go with opting someone and sending them to receive the grant on your behalf.

FAQs 

If you are too old or you are unable to visit the office on your own to apply for SASSA old age pension grant, you can select your friend or can opt for your family member to apply on your behalf. One thing you have to make sure of is that you have to make sure that the person takes a letter from you saying that you are unable to visit the office. The letter should also have a doctor’s note about why you cannot visit the office.

Application processing may take up to three months. You will receive the response on your application either as approved or declined through SMS or the email or the relevant contact method, you have provided. If your application is approved you will receive the grant payment from the date you have applied and in case if your application is refused, you will receive a letter that will let you know about the reason why your application was declined.

If your application gets declined, you have the option of appealing SASSA within 90 days of receiving the rejection notice from the organization. You can appeal to the organization to reconsider your application and recheck the details and documents you have attached.

Conclusion 

Undoubtedly SASSA is working to improve the living standards of South Africans who are living below the poverty line. If you are above the age of 60 years and are in need of financial assistance, you can apply for an old age pension grant from SASSA.