The SASSA Older Persons Grant is one of South Africa’s main social grants for elderly people who have little or no income in later life. It is paid by the South African Social Security Agency to qualifying people aged 60 and older, and it is still commonly called the old age pension by many South Africans.
The grant is meant to help older people cover basic living costs such as food, transport, electricity, medicine, and other household needs. According to the official government service page, applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements regarding age, income, assets, residence, and citizenship status before the grant can be approved. The latest 2026/2027 update also confirms that the grant amount has increased from April 2026.
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What Is The SASSA Older Persons Grant?
The Older Persons Grant is a monthly social grant paid to people aged 60 or older who qualify under SASSA’s means test. This means SASSA checks whether the applicant’s income and assets are below the allowed limit before approving the grant.
The grant is available to South African citizens, permanent residents, and recognized refugees who live in South Africa. More details are available on the official SASSA Older Persons Grant page.
Latest Older Persons Grant Amount For 2026
From April 2026, the Older Persons Grant increased by R80 to R2 400 per month for qualifying beneficiaries aged 60 to 74. People aged 75 or older receive R 2420 per month. The Department of Social Development confirmed the 2026/2027 grant increases and the payment schedule after approval by the National Treasury.
| Beneficiary age | Monthly amount from April 2026 |
|---|---|
| 60 to 74 years | R 2400 |
| 75 years and older | R 2420 |
Who Qualifies For The Older Persons Grant?
To qualify, the applicant must meet the following main conditions:
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be 60 years or older |
| Status | Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee |
| Residence | Must live in South Africa |
| Other grants | Must not receive another social grant for themselves |
| State care | Must not be cared for in a state institution |
| Means test | Must fall below the income and asset limits |
The official government service page says a single applicant must not earn more than R86 280 a year, while a married applicant and spouse must not earn more than R172 560 a year. The asset limit is R1 227 600 for a single person and R2 455 200 for a married person.
Documents Needed When Applying
Applicants must visit the nearest SASSA office and take the required documents. These usually include:
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| 13-digit bar-coded South African ID | To confirm identity and age |
| Proof of marital status | Needed where applicable |
| Proof of residence | To confirm where the applicant lives |
| Proof of income or dividends | Used for the means test |
| Proof of assets | Used to check asset limits |
| Proof of private pension | Needed if the applicant receives one |
| Three months’ bank statements | Used to assess income |
| UIF documents or discharge certificate | Needed if previously employed |
| Estate documents of a late spouse | Needed if the spouse died within the last five years |
People who are too old or too sick to go to a SASSA office may ask a family member or friend to apply on their behalf. The person applying for them must take a letter from the applicant or a doctor’s note explaining why the applicant cannot visit the office.
How To Apply For The Older Persons’ Grant
The application is done at a SASSA office. The applicant must complete the form in front of a SASSA officer. The form is not available online for printing, but it can be obtained at the office.
SASSA will interview the applicant and check the documents. After the application is submitted, the applicant must receive a receipt. This receipt must be kept safely as proof that the application was made.
Applicants can also use the official SASSA services portal for online grant-related services, where available.
How Long Does The Application Take?
The application can take up to three months to process. If SASSA approves the application, payment is made from the date on which the person applied, not only from the approval date.
The service is free. Applicants should not pay anyone to apply for the grant.
How The Grant Is Paid
SASSA may pay the Older Persons Grant in one of the following ways:
| Payment method | Details |
|---|---|
| Bank or Postbank account | Money is paid electronically into the account |
| Cash pay point | Paid at a specific pay point on a set date |
| Institution | Paid through an approved institution, such as an old age home |
If the beneficiary cannot collect the money personally, they may appoint a procurator at a SASSA office or give another person power of attorney to collect it on their behalf.
Older Persons Grant Payment Dates For 2026/2027
SASSA confirmed that social grant payments for the 2026/2027 financial year will continue to be staggered over three days, with older persons generally paid first.
| Month | Older Persons Grant payment date |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | 02 April 2026 |
| May 2026 | 05 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 02 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | 02 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | 04 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 02 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | 02 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | 03 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | 02 December 2026 |
| January 2027 | 05 January 2027 |
| February 2027 | 02 February 2027 |
| March 2027 | 02 March 2027 |
When The Grant May Be Reviewed
SASSA may review the grant to check whether the beneficiary still qualifies. The income declared at the time of application is used as the basis for this review. Beneficiaries must be told three months before the review date or before a life certificate is due.
People who receive their grant through a bank, institution, or procurator may need to complete a life certificate at a SASSA office every year.
When The Grant May Be Suspended
The Older Persons Grant may be suspended if the beneficiary’s circumstances change, if the outcome of a review shows that the person no longer qualifies, or if the person fails to co-operate during a review.
It may also be suspended if there is fraud, misrepresentation, or if a mistake was made when the grant was approved.
When The Grant May Lapse
The grant may lapse if the beneficiary dies, is admitted to a state institution, fails to claim the grant for 3 consecutive months, or leaves South Africa.
If the beneficiary is admitted to an institution that has a contract with the state, the grant may be reduced to 25% of the maximum amount from the fourth month after admission. The full grant is restored from the date of discharge.
What Happens If The Application Is Rejected?
If the application is not approved, SASSA must inform the applicant in writing and give reasons. If the applicant disagrees with the decision, they may appeal to the Minister of Social Development.
The appeal must be made within 90 days of being told that the application was unsuccessful
SASSA Contact Details
| Contact option | Details |
|---|---|
| Toll-free number | 0800 60 10 11 |
| GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za | |
| Office support | Visit the nearest SASSA local office |
