SASSA Old Age Grant 2026 — Amount & How to Apply

The SASSA Old Age Grant — commonly called the old age pension — pays a monthly amount to South Africans aged 60 and older who pass the means test. This guide covers exactly how much it pays, the specific income and asset thresholds most guides leave vague, how the sliding scale works, and how to apply.

• How Much Is the Old Age Grant?
• Who Qualifies?
• The Means Test — The Actual Numbers
• Documents You Need
• How to Apply
• Checking Your Status
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts

How Much Is the Old Age Grant?

The Older Person’s Grant (commonly called the old age pension) pays R2,400 per month for recipients aged 60-74, and R2,420 per month for recipients aged 75 and older, as of April 2026.

Note: This is paid on a sliding scale, not as a flat amount. If you have zero private income, you receive the full amount. If you have some private income — a pension, rental income, or similar — within the means test threshold, SASSA reduces your grant proportionally rather than refusing it outright.

Here’s how that compares to every other SASSA grant type:

If you turn 75 while already receiving the grant, the increase to R2,420 happens automatically — you don’t need to reapply.

Who Qualifies?

• You must be 60 years or older
• You must pass the means test — see the exact thresholds below
• You must not be receiving another personal grant for yourself
• You must not be a resident in a state institution that already provides full financial support (such as a state-funded old age home) — if you are, the grant reduces to 25% of the full amount from the fourth month onward

If you need full-time care or assistance — help bathing, cooking, or getting around — you may also qualify for the Grant-in-Aid, an extra R580/month on top of your Old Age Grant, bringing the combined total to R2,980 (or R3,000 if you’re 75+). This is applied for separately at your SASSA office. See our Other Grants guide for details.

The Means Test — The Actual Numbers

Most guides just say “you must pass the means test” without giving the actual figures. Here’s what SASSA is checking, as of the April 2026 thresholds:

• Single applicants: monthly income must be below approximately R8,990 (about R107,880/year), and assets below approximately R1,372,800
• Married applicants: combined monthly income must be below approximately R17,980, and combined assets below approximately R2,745,600

If you’re married, your spouse’s income and assets are combined with yours for this calculation, regardless of whether you’re married in or out of community of property. Your primary home is excluded from the asset calculation — only additional property, investments, and savings count.

Note: If you have zero private income, you receive the full grant amount. Any private income below the threshold reduces your payment proportionally rather than disqualifying you entirely — this is the sliding scale mentioned above.

Documents You Need

• South African ID document (or permanent residency/refugee documentation)
• Proof of income and assets (bank statements, pension or investment statements, if applicable)
• Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce order, or spouse’s death certificate if applicable)
• Proof of residence
• Bank account details for payment

How to Apply

1. Visit any SASSA local office
2. Bring all required documents listed above
3. A SASSA official assesses your application against the means test
4. You can apply in the months before turning 60 to help ensure payments start on time once you’re eligible — SASSA’s own guidance on exactly how early varies, so confirm the current allowance at your local office

The application process is completely free — never pay anyone to assist with it. Processing typically takes up to 90 days; if approved, payment is backdated to your application date.

Checking Your Status

Call 0800 60 10 11 or visit your local SASSA office for a status update on your application or ongoing payments.

FAQs

• How much is the SASSA Old Age Grant in 2026? R2,400/month for ages 60-74, R2,420/month for ages 75+, paid on a sliding scale based on private income.
• What is the means test threshold for the Old Age Grant? Roughly R8,990/month income for single applicants, R17,980/month combined for married applicants, with corresponding asset limits.
• Can I apply for the Old Age Grant online? No — this requires an in-person visit to a SASSA office.
• Is the application free? Yes, completely free.
• What happens if I live in a state institution? If the institution already provides full financial support, your grant reduces to 25% of the full amount from the fourth month.
• Do I need to reapply when I turn 75? No — the increase to R2,420 happens automatically.
• Can I get extra support if I need full-time care? Yes — the Grant-in-Aid adds R580/month on top, applied for separately.
• How long does approval take? Typically up to 90 days; approved payments are backdated to your application date.

Final Thoughts

The Old Age Grant pays R2,400 (or R2,420 for 75+) monthly to South Africans aged 60 and older who pass the means test — roughly R8,990/month income for single applicants, R17,980/month combined for married couples, reduced proportionally rather than refused if you have some income within that range. Apply at your nearest SASSA office, and ask staff locally about how early you can start the process before your 60th birthday.

For more on how SASSA grants work generally, see our What Is SASSA guide; to apply for SRD specifically, see our Application guide; and for every official contact channel, see our Contact guide.