Do pensioners need to reapply for South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) old-age grants next month when the new R90 government increase comes into effect?
At a difficult time of year for the country’s most needy citizens the extra money will help ease the burden for the households they support.
However, you may be wondering if you need to reapply for Sassa old-age grants in April 2024 to be compliant to receive the increase.
Thankfully the answer is no. If you are already receiving a Sassa stipend you do not need to reapply.
If you’re over the age of 60 and comply with all the necessary criteria to qualify for a government pension, you don’t ever have to reapply.
However, to ensure you still qualify for government aid your grant may occasionally be reviewed.
You will be notified three months in advance of the date when the review will take place. Should your circumstances change, such as:
- Receiving care in a state institution.
- Earning more than R86 280 annually (R7 190 per month) if single and R172 560 annually (R14 380 per month) if married.
- Or, your asset threshold exceeds R1 227 600 (single) and R2 455 200 (married),
Only then will your pension grant be cancelled. Also, if you die. Similarly, if you do not claim for three consecutive months it will be cancelled. The latter is the only reasonable scenario for having to reapply for Sassa old-age grants.
From April 2024, the agency’s old-age pensions will pay R2 180 for anyone between age 60 and 74. And R2 200 for anyone over 75 years of age.
Researchers believe the Sassa old-age grant is not as high as it should be.
So how does a Sassa state pension compare with similar welfare payouts across the world?
Cost of living aside, a Sassa state pension is comfortably eight to four times below that of the European average.
In the aftermath of President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address about how proud he was of his party’s “pro-poor policies”, the following statistics show how South Africa actually ranks in a global context.
Let’s first look at the amount paid by government for a state old-age pension. In South Africa, from April 2024 onwards a Sassa old-age pension will pay R2 180 (60-years of age) and R2 200 (75-years of age).
