SASSA Old Age Pension

How to Apply for SASSA Old Age Pension – SASSA Grant

by

Even at your old age in South Africa, you’re eligible to apply for a pension. Anyone at the age of 60 years and above is bound to get a grant and this type of grant is what we call the old age pension. 

Before one gets to apply for an elderly pension there are things that must be considered. 

Contents hide
1 Qualities Needed for you to Apply for SASSA at Old Age
2 Ways in Which the SASSA Old Age Pension Money Can be Deposited
3 Procedure Used when Applying for the SASSA SRD R350 Old Age Pension
4 What Happens When your Application is Not Approved?

Qualities Needed for you to Apply for SASSA at Old Age

  • You must be a citizen of South Africa or if not, a permanent refugee or resident
  • You should be living in the country of South Africa.
  • You must not be receiving any other grants by yourself. 
  • You should not be in a care center institution. 
  • You are not required to be earning more than 86280R, If perhaps you are single, that includes having assets that are worth 1,227,600 R. In case you are married you are not supposed to be earning more than 172 560R, that also includes having assets that are worth 2,455,200R. 

If you have these qualities you will now be eligible to apply for the pension set for older people. The amount received once you apply for this pension is as follows. 

One can only receive a maximum of 1,980R every month, however, if you have attained the age of 75 years, you will be eligible to get 2,000R. 

Ways in Which the SASSA Old Age Pension Money Can be Deposited

Ways in Which the SASSA Old Age Pension Money Can be Deposited
  • If you’re staying at an old age institute then the grant can be paid there. 
  • One can be paid through cash means on a specific day set by the SASSA agent and the client. 
  • You can also get the grant through electronic deposit means that is through the bank or your post bank account. 

In case you’re unable to receive your money, you’re allowed to appoint any or the free procurator in the SASSA office or get someone with attorney power to get your grant on your behalf. 

Procedure Used when Applying for the SASSA SRD R350 Old Age Pension 

Having attained all those requirements you will now follow this procedure:

  • Firstly, you are required to head to the nearest SASSA office. 
  • The following documents should be brought forward as you head there; 
  • Carry your Identity Document that contains your 13 digits. In case you have no ID, you are required to finish the affidavit with the official format of SASSA in front of your Oaths Commissioner who’s not a SASSA official. 
  • You should also bring in a statement sworn and signed by someone reputable e.g. a traditional leader, school principal, social worker, or even a counselor who can be able to verify your age and name. 
  • The next step will be for SASSA officials to take up your fingerprints. 
  • After that, you’ll be sent to the Department of Home Affairs. Here you’ll be needed to apply for an ID as your application is getting processed. In case your ID is not processed, you won’t be able to get your grant however suspending your application.
  • You should present proof of marital status if any is available. 
  • You are required to present proof of your residence.
  • You should present proof of your dividends and incomes if you have any.
  • You are required to present proof of the assets you own showing the value of each property. 
  • If you have a private pension you are required to show proof of it 
  • You should present your bank statements for the last three months. 
  • If you have been employed, you should show proof of the (UIF) unemployment insurance fund membership or if possible a discharge certificate obtained from your past or previous employer. 
  • You should present a copy of your spouse’s will if they happened to have passed away within the past 5 years. 
  • You should also present the first and last distribution and liquidation accounts. 

 Check SASSA Status For R350 Grant

Elderly people who are unable to head to the office to apply for the pension can request their family members or friends to head over and apply for them. 

They should accompany themselves with a letter either from the hospital signed by a doctor or by you, saying you’re unable to visit the SASSA office. 

It should be noted that only you or the SASSA attendant can complete the application. You will be interviewed and they’ll let you know if you are capable of getting a grant. 

Once everything is done you’ll be given your receipt and it should be kept as proof of application once requested for presentation any day any time. 

What Happens When your Application is Not Approved? 

  1. SASSA agents will later inform you through a letter why your application was not approved or was unsuccessful. 
  2. In case you aren’t okay with the decision, you are free to make an appeal to the national department of social development at the Minister Of Social Development. 
  3. This must be done within the next 90 days from the day your application was declared as unsuccessful. 
  4. This might take more than 3 months before your application is processed. However, if your grant has been approved, you will get paid from when the application was made. 
  5. This service is done free of charge. You must however fill out some forms that are only found at SASSA offices and not online. 

With all that taken into consideration, you will now be able to receive your grant or old age pension. The procedure and requirements are quite the thing but must however be considered and followed to the later.

Leave a Comment