Do pensioners need to reapply for South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) old-age grants next month when the new R90 government increase comes into effect?
At a difficult time of year for the country’s most needy citizens the extra money will help ease the burden for the households they support.
However, you may be wondering if you need to reapply for Sassa old-age grants in April 2024, to be compliant to receive the increase.
Thankfully, the answer is no. If you are already receiving a Sassa stipend, you need not reapply.
If you’re over 60 years of age and comply with all the necessary criteria to qualify for a government pension you don’t ever have to reapply.
However, to ensure you still qualify for government aid, your grant may occasionally be reviewed.
You will be notified three months in advance of the date when the review will take place.
Should your circ*mstances change such as: . You receive care in a state institution. Earn more than R86 280 annually (R7 190 per month) if single, and R172 560 annually (R14 380 per month) if married. Or, your asset threshold exceeds R1 227 600 (single) and R2 455 200 (married), only then will your pension grant be cancelled. Also, when you die.
Similarly, if you do not claim for three consecutive months it will be cancelled.
The latter is the only reasonable scenario when you may have to reapply for Sassa old-age grants.
From April 2024, Sassa old-age pensions will pay R2 180 for anyone between ages 60 and 74. And R2 200 for anyone over 75 years of age.. Researchers believe the Sassa old-age grant is not as high as it should be. So how does a Sassa state pension compare to similar welfare payouts across the world?
Cost of living aside, a Sassa state pension is comfortably eight to four times below that of the European average.
Following President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, saying how proud he was of his party’s “pro-poor policies”, the following statistics show how South Africa actually ranks in a global context.
Let’s first look at the amount paid by government for a state old-age pension. In South Africa, from April 2024 onwards, a Sassa old-age pensions will pay R2 180 (60 years of age) and R2 200 (75 years of age).
In the UK, a flat-rate state pension in 2022 was £185 per week; multiply that by 4 and you get £740, or R17 851 per month at the current exchange rate.
Here are some countries to compare South African pension payouts with:
• Denmark: £1 440 per month (R34 742).
• Ireland: £1 012 per month (R24 465).
• Netherlands: £948 per month (R22 872).
• United Kingdom: £740 per month (R17 852).
• South Africa: £91 per month (R2 200).
