This grant is a payment of R2 400 a month for South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees aged 60 and above who pass the means test. People older than 75 years receive R2 420. You apply at a SASSA office with your ID, and once approved, payments are backdated to the day you applied.
This guide gives you the key grant information you need for 2026, from eligibility to payment.
What Is the Older Persons Grant?
The grant is paid to people who are 60 years or older and who do not have enough income to support themselves. It is also called the older persons grant, the older person’s grant or simply the old age pension.
It is managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), while policy is set by the National Department of Social Development. It is the largest SASSA grant in 2026 in terms of the number of people it supports.
How Much Does the Grant Pay?
The grant amounts increase every April. From April 2026, the grant pays:
| Age | Monthly payment |
| 60 to 74 | R2 400 |
| 75 and older | R2 420 |
This is the maximum amount. A person who qualifies for the full grant receives the whole amount. If your income is close to the limit, the grant is reduced on a sliding scale, so the amount of the grant gets smaller. In that case you receive a reduced grant, not the full amount.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the grant, you must:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
- Live in South Africa.
- Be aged 60 or above.
- Pass the income and asset test.
- Not be cared for in a state institution.
- Not be already receiving another social grant for yourself.
There is no upper age limit. A person aged 90 can still apply if they meet the other rules.
The Means Test Explained
SASSA uses a means test to determine whether a person qualifies. It looks at your income and the value of what you own. If your income or assets are above the limit, your application will be turned down.
The 2026 income and asset limits are:
| Item | Single | Married |
| Income limit per month | R9 350 | R18 700 |
| Asset limit | R1 584 000 | R3 168 000 |
If you are married, SASSA adds your spouse’s income and assets to yours. The home you live in is not counted as an asset.
What Counts as Income?
Income includes your salary, a private pension, rental income, interest and any annuity. Money from a child support grant or foster child grant that you receive for children in your care is not counted.
Is There a Calculator?
There is no old age grant calculator from SASSA. You can compare your own income and assets with the table above. A SASSA officer can also check your details when you apply.
Documents You Need
Bring these to the office:
- Your green ID book or smart ID card.
- Proof of income, such as payslips or a private pension letter.
- Proof of assets, such as bank statements or property valuations.
- Proof of marital status, if you are married, divorced or widowed.
- Your bank details, if you want the money paid into an account.
If You Do Not Have an ID
You must complete an affidavit on a standard SASSA format, in front of a commissioner of oaths. You also need to bring a sworn statement from a reputable person, such as a ward councillor or minister of religion, who can confirm your name and age.
SASSA will then help you go to Home Affairs to apply for the ID. Your application can continue while the ID is being processed.
How to Apply for the Old Age Grant
To apply for the SASSA pension, follow these steps:
- Go to the person at your nearest SASSA local office who handles new applications.
- Ask for the SASSA older persons application.
- A staff member will complete the application form in the presence of the applicant or a SASSA official.
- Your fingerprints and photo will be taken.
- You will get a receipt with the date of application. Keep it safe.
Never sign a form that someone else filled in before you arrived.
Online or In Person?
SASSA now offers an online option for some grants through its services portal. When comparing applying online versus in person, most older people still find it easier to visit an office, because staff can help with documents and fingerprints on the spot.
If You Cannot Travel
If you are too old or sick to travel to the office, a family member or friend can apply on your behalf. They must bring a letter from you and a doctor’s note. A SASSA official may visit your home to confirm your details.
After You Apply
SASSA processes most applications within three months. SASSA will inform you of the result in writing.
If you are approved, you are paid from the date you applied. You are not paid immediately from the date of the decision, but back pay covers the waiting period.
If Your Application Is Not Approved
If SASSA refuses your application, the letter will explain why. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration and then lodge an appeal within 90 days. Appeals go to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals.
How You Will Be Paid
You can choose how to receive a grant payment:
- Into your own bank account.
- Onto a Postbank Black Card.
- At selected pay points, if available.
If you cannot fetch the money yourself, you can appoint a procurator to collect the grant on your behalf.
Check the SASSA payment dates each month. This grant is usually paid first, in the first few days of the month, so that older people do not wait in long queues with other beneficiaries.
Can You Combine Grants?
You cannot get multiple grants for yourself. For example, you cannot receive the older persons grant together with the disability grant and war veterans grant. Some different grants can still be combined. You may hold a grant for yourself and also get support for children in your care.
If you are applying for a social grant and already get the SRD R370 grant, the SRD will stop once your older person’s grant is approved. Every grant has its own rules, so ask about your grant options at the office.
Keeping Your Grant
SASSA reviews grants from time to time. Your grant must be reviewed if your income, assets or marital status change. SASSA can decide to reduce or stop the grant if you no longer meet the rules.
To avoid problems:
- Keep your contact details current.
- Report any change in income or address.
- Collect your money at least once every three months.
Contacting SASSA
The SASSA phone number is 0800 60 10 11. You can also use the official SASSA website or WhatsApp line for general questions. For anything about your file, visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I apply?
You can apply once you are 60 years old.
Can I work and still get the grant?
Yes, as long as your total income stays under the limit.
Is the grant taxed?
No. Social grants are not taxed.
What if I move to a care home?
Tell SASSA. If the state pays for your care, your payment may change.
This monthly grant gives older South Africans a steady income each month. If you or a family member qualifies, start your application early so payments begin as soon as possible.