Who Can Apply for the Old Persons Grant?
Who can Apply for the Old Persons Grant?
If you are a woman 60 years or older or a man 60 years or older, you may get a monthly payment from the government called an old age grant.
You must be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa and living in South Africa at the time of applying for the grant. You must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution (such as a state old age home), living in a psychiatric hospital, getting care from a state treatment centre, or if you are getting state care for a drug habit. You must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of yourself, and your spouse must comply with the means test. A 13-digit bar-coded ID (identity document) must be submitted.
Only people whose financial situation is below a certain level can get the grant. The test to decide this is called a Means Test.
The Means Test changes every year and, for the old persons grant, this depends on your income, assets, whether or not you are married, and on the income of both you and your spouse if you are married.
View the Means Test here.
The amount of the old persons grant changes every year. In 2011, it is R1 140 per month. Grant amounts.
If you cannot look after yourself and need full-time care from someone else, you may also apply for a Grant-In-Aid, which you can get in addition to your old persons grant. Also remember that people who get an old age pension have special housing subsidies available to them.
You can apply for the old age grant by filling in an application form at your nearest District Welfare office or counter service point of a District Office. You do not need to pay anything to make the application.
o If you are employed, your wage certificate.
o If you are unemployed, your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) "blue book" discharge certificate from your previous employer.
o If you have a private pension, proof of the private pension.
o If you have a bank account, your bank statements for three consecutive months.
o If you have investments, information on the interest and dividends you earn. You can find out what has happened to your application and when you can expect payment by calling the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) toll-free helpline on 0800 601 011.
The old age grant will be cancelled if you die, if you are admitted to a state institution, or if your income or assets improve so much that you no longer qualify in terms of the Means Test. You must inform the Department of any changes in your circumstances.