SASSA Old Age Grant 2026 — R2,400 Older Persons Pension, Eligibility & How to Apply

The SASSA Old Age Grant — also called the Older Persons Grant or old age pension — pays R2,400 per month from April 2026. It is for South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees aged 60 and older who meet the income means test. It is the highest-volume grant SASSA pays each month and the first to be paid in every monthly cycle.

This complete guide explains who qualifies, what the means test involves, how to apply step by step, and what to do if your application is declined or delayed.

Old Age Grant Amount 2026

Applicants who are 75 years or older receive R2,420 — an additional R20 per month. War Veterans also receive R2,420 per month regardless of age (subject to qualifying criteria).

Who Qualifies for the SASSA Old Age Grant?

You must meet all of the following requirements. Partial compliance results in a declined application.

Core Eligibility Criteria

Income Means Test (2026)

Asset Means Test (2026)

What counts as income: Salaries, wages, rental income, interest on savings, pension income from private or employer schemes, dividends, and other social grants received.

What counts as assets: Cash savings and investments, property (excluding your primary home), vehicles (excluding one vehicle used as primary transport), shares, and other valuables. The family home you live in is excluded from the asset calculation.

See the SASSA means test guide for a detailed breakdown of what is included and excluded.

Enhanced Amount for Age 75 and Above

Once you turn 75, your Old Age Grant automatically increases to R2,420 per month — R20 more than the standard rate. You do not need to apply for this increase. SASSA links to Home Affairs birth records and adjusts your payment automatically in the month you turn 75.

If your payment does not increase after your 75th birthday, contact the SASSA helpline on 0800 60 10 11 or visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID to query the adjustment.

How to Apply for the SASSA Old Age Grant

The Old Age Grant cannot be applied for online. You must visit a SASSA office in person — or arrange for someone to apply on your behalf if you are unable to travel.

Documents to Bring

If applying for someone else: See the section on applying on behalf of another person below.

Application Steps

1. Arrive at your nearest SASSA office early — doors typically open at 8:00am and queues form quickly
2. Tell the staff you want to apply for the Older Persons Grant (or Old Age Grant — they are the same thing)
3. SASSA staff will give you an application form (DG1 or OPG form)
4. Complete the form with assistance from SASSA staff if needed
5. Submit the completed form with all required documents
6. SASSA staff will verify your ID against Home Affairs records on-site
7. You will receive a receipt and application reference number — keep this
8. Await outcome within 3–4 weeks. If approved, your first payment comes in the following payment cycle

Applying on Behalf of an Elderly Person

If the qualifying person is unable to travel to a SASSA office (due to age, illness, disability, or hospitalisation), an authorised representative can apply on their behalf.

What the representative needs to bring:

• Their own South African ID document
• A power of attorney or written, signed consent from the qualifying person (certified by a commissioner of oaths — available at most police stations and many post offices free of charge)
• All original documents required for the application (as listed above)
• Proof of their relationship to the applicant (e.g., birth certificate if they are a child)

SASSA home visit option: For applicants who are bedridden or severely incapacitated, SASSA can arrange a home visit where an officer comes to the applicant’s home to conduct the application. Contact your nearest SASSA office to request this. Availability varies by region and may involve a waiting period.

Applications Without an ID Document

If you do not have a valid South African ID document (lost, damaged, or never issued), you can still start the process:

1. Apply for an ID at the Department of Home Affairs first. You can use a certified copy of your birth certificate in the meantime
2. Bring a sworn affidavit (from a police station) confirming your identity and age
3. SASSA staff can assist with “provisional” applications in some offices while your ID is being processed
4. Once your ID is issued, submit it to SASSA to finalise your application

Do not delay applying — the earlier you begin, the earlier your payments start once your ID is issued.

Old Age Grant Payment Dates 2026

The Older Persons Grant is the first grant paid in every monthly SASSA cycle. It is paid before the Disability Grant and Children’s Grants.

Full year: SASSA 2026/27 payment schedule

Payment Methods

When you apply, you choose how to receive your grant:

Postbank card swap: If you have the old gold SASSA card, swap it for the new black Postbank Mastercard before 31 December 2026. Visit any Postbank branch with your SA ID. The swap is free and takes approximately 10 minutes.

Transitioning from Disability Grant to Old Age Grant

If you currently receive the SASSA Disability Grant (available for ages 18–59) and are approaching age 60:

• The switch from Disability Grant to Old Age Grant is not automatic
• You must apply for the Old Age Grant separately — at the same SASSA office
• Start the application 3 months before your 60th birthday to avoid a payment gap
• Your Disability Grant stops on your 60th birthday month
• The Old Age Grant payment should begin the same month, provided you applied in time
• You cannot receive both grants simultaneously — there will be a handover date

Bring your existing Disability Grant approval letter to the office when you apply for the Old Age Grant — it speeds up the transition process.

What to Do if Your Application is Declined

Common reasons for decline:

• Income or assets above the means test threshold
• ID details could not be verified with Home Affairs
• You are already receiving a grant that makes you ineligible
• Missing or incomplete documentation at time of submission
• Age could not be confirmed (ID date of birth mismatch)

How to appeal: You have 90 days from the decision date to lodge an appeal. Request the written reasons for your decline from SASSA (you are legally entitled to this). Then submit your appeal with any additional evidence at the same office or at sassa.gov.za.

Old Age Grant and Other Benefits

Can I receive the Old Age Grant and the Child Support Grant?

Yes. If you are aged 60+ and are also the primary caregiver of a qualifying child under 18, you can receive the Old Age Grant for yourself and the Child Support Grant (R580/child) on behalf of the child. These are separate grants for separate purposes. Apply for each at the SASSA office.

Can I receive the Old Age Grant and the SRD R370?

No. Receiving any SASSA grant (including the Old Age Grant) automatically disqualifies you from the SRD R370. The SRD is specifically for people with no other income or grant support.

Can I receive a private pension and the Old Age Grant?

Yes, if your private pension income is below the means test threshold. If your pension income is below R8,070/month (R96,840/year), you may still qualify. The Old Age Grant amount is then assessed based on your full income picture. Contact a SASSA office or use the means test guide to check your eligibility.

Can my employer pension disqualify me?

Only if the pension income causes you to exceed the means test income threshold. Many recipients have small employer pensions that fall well below R96,840/year and still qualify for the full Old Age Grant.

Annual Review and Continued Eligibility

SASSA reviews means test eligibility periodically. If your financial circumstances change significantly (e.g., you inherit property or start receiving a substantial private pension), you are legally required to notify SASSA. Continued receipt of the grant while knowing you are over the threshold constitutes fraud and can result in full repayment demands.

For most recipients with fixed or no income, the annual review is routine and will not affect payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do you qualify for the SASSA Old Age Grant?

Age 60. South Africans aged 60 and over who meet the income and asset means test are eligible. There is no upper age limit. Applicants aged 75+ receive a slightly higher amount (R2,420 vs R2,400).

How much is the old age pension in South Africa in 2026?

R2,400 per month for applicants aged 60–74. R2,420 per month for applicants aged 75 and older. The increase to R2,400 came into effect in April 2026.

Can I get the Old Age Grant and the Child Support Grant together?

Yes — if you are the primary caregiver of a qualifying child under 18, you can receive the Child Support Grant (R580/child) alongside your Old Age Grant. Apply for both at SASSA. They are assessed separately.

How do I apply if I am bedridden?

Contact your nearest SASSA office and request a home visit. SASSA will send an officer to your home to process the application. You will still need your ID document and other supporting documents ready.

What is the income limit for the SASSA Old Age Grant in 2026?

R96,840 per year (approximately R8,070 per month) for a single applicant. R193,680 per year combined for a married couple. Assets must also be below R1,227,600 for a single person (R2,455,200 for married couples). Your primary home is excluded from the asset calculation.

What happens if I have no bank account?

You can still receive the grant. SASSA will assign you a Postbank account (linked to the SASSA card) if you do not have a personal bank account. You can collect your money at ATMs or retail outlets like Shoprite.

How long does it take to get approved?

Typically 3–4 weeks after your application is submitted with all required documents. If your ID needs verification with Home Affairs, this can take slightly longer. After approval, your first payment arrives in the following payment cycle.

What documents do I need?

You need your SA ID, proof of income (payslips, pension statements, or affidavit), proof of address (utility bill or lease), bank account details, and — if married — your marriage certificate. For applying on behalf of someone else, you also need written consent or a power of attorney.