Everything You Need to Know About the SASSA Older Persons Grant in 2026
Last Updated: February 2026
At a Glance: Older Persons Grant Key Facts for 2026
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 60 years and older |
| Grant Amount | R2,190 per month |
| Medical Assessment | Not required |
| Means Tested | Yes |
| Processing Time | Up to 90 days |
| Payment Day | 1st day of monthly SASSA cycle |
| Official Helpline | 0800 60 10 11 |
What the Older Persons Grant Is
The Older Persons Grant is a monthly social grant paid by SASSA to South African citizens and qualifying residents aged 60 and older who meet the financial means test. It is one of the most widely received SASSA grants in South Africa and forms the primary source of income for millions of older South Africans.
Unlike the Disability Grant, the Older Persons Grant does not require a medical assessment. Eligibility is based on age and financial circumstances only. If you meet the age requirement and your income and assets fall within the means test thresholds, you qualify.
The Older Persons Grant is always the first grant paid each month. Every other SASSA grant payment follows it in a staggered schedule across the first few days of each month.
Older Persons Grant Amount in 2026
The Older Persons Grant amount is R2,190 per month as of the 2025/2026 financial year. This amount is reviewed annually as part of the national budget process each February. For the most current grant amount confirm on sassa.gov.za.
If you require full-time care from another person due to your physical condition, you may qualify for an additional Grant-in-Aid of R510 per month on top of your Older Persons Grant.
Who Qualifies for the Older Persons Grant
Age. You must be 60 years or older. There is no upper age limit.
Nationality and residence. You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with a valid refugee status permit. You must be resident in South Africa.
Means test. Your income and assets must fall within the following thresholds.
Income limits: single applicant annual income must not exceed R92,568 per year. Married couple combined annual income must not exceed R185,136 per year.
Asset limits: single applicant assets must not exceed R1,227,600. Married couple combined assets must not exceed R2,455,200.
Not already receiving another SASSA grant. You cannot receive the Older Persons Grant alongside another SASSA grant. If you were previously receiving the Disability Grant, this transitions automatically to the Older Persons Grant when you turn 60.
Not in a government institution. You must not be a resident in a state-funded institution such as a government old age home or state care facility during the period you are claiming.
What Counts as Income and Assets for the Means Test
Income includes: any salary or wages from employment, pension income from a private or occupational pension fund, investment income including interest and dividends, rental income from property, regular financial contributions from family members, and any other regular financial receipts.
Assets include: property other than your primary home, vehicles, savings and investments, and other valuables. Your primary residence is generally excluded from the asset calculation.
What does not count: the Older Persons Grant itself once approved does not count as income for means test reassessment purposes.
For a full breakdown of how the means test works see our SASSA Means Test Explained page.
Documents Required To Apply
For the applicant:
Original South African ID document, Smart ID card or green barcoded ID book. Proof of residence not older than three months such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit confirming your address. Proof of income if employed or receiving a pension such as your three most recent payslips or pension statements, or an affidavit confirming no income if you have none. Proof of assets such as a bank statement or property documents if applicable.
For married applicants:
Your marriage certificate and your spouse’s ID document and proof of income or assets are required for the combined means test assessment.
For divorced or widowed applicants:
Divorce order or death certificate of your spouse as applicable.
How To Apply for the Older Persons Grant
Option 1: Apply at a SASSA office.
Visit your nearest SASSA office with all required documents. Tell the official you want to apply for the Older Persons Grant. A SASSA official will assist you to complete the application form, capture your details, and submit your application. You will receive an application reference number. Keep this to track your application.
Option 2: Apply through the SASSA services portal.
The SASSA services portal allows online applications for certain grant types. Log in using your ID number and the phone number you want to register for grant notifications. Follow the prompts to apply for the Older Persons Grant. Upload your supporting documents as prompted. Note your application reference number.
Option 3: Apply through a SASSA mobile unit.
SASSA mobile units visit communities that are far from permanent SASSA offices. Contact your nearest SASSA office or call 0800 60 10 11 to find out when a mobile unit will be in your area.
Processing time.
SASSA has 90 days to process your application and make a decision from the date of submission. Track your application on the SASSA services portal using your application reference number. If 90 days have passed without a decision, contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
Transitioning from Disability Grant to Older Persons Grant
If you are currently receiving the Disability Grant and you turn 60, your grant should automatically transition to the Older Persons Grant. The amount remains the same at R2,190 per month and no new medical assessment is required.
In practice this transition does not always happen without disruption. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 a few months before your 60th birthday to confirm the transition process and ensure your payment is not interrupted. If your payment stops around your 60th birthday, visit a SASSA office immediately with your ID document to have the transition completed.
Older Persons Grant Payment Dates 2026
The Older Persons Grant is always the first grant paid each month.
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 6 January 2026 |
| February 2026 | 3 February 2026 |
| March 2026 | 3 March 2026 |
| April 2026 | 1 April 2026 |
| May 2026 | 5 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 2 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | 1 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | 4 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 1 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | 1 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | 3 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | 1 December 2026 |
When a payment date falls on a public holiday or weekend, SASSA moves it to the preceding working day. For official confirmation see sassa.gov.za/payment-dates-for-2025-2026-financial-year.
How Your Older Persons Grant Is Paid
SASSA card at ATMs and retailers. SASSA issues a gold payment card linked to your grant. Use it at any ATM displaying the Maestro or Visa logo and at participating retailers for purchases and cash back. Your PIN is required for all transactions.
Bank account. Link your Older Persons Grant to your personal bank account for automatic payment on the payment date. All major banks are supported including Capitec, TymeBank, Absa, Standard Bank, FNB, and Nedbank.
Retail collection. Cash collection at Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave if your grant is set up for retail collection. Take your SASSA card or ID document to the retailer on or after your payment date.
Post Office. Significantly disrupted due to the Post Office’s financial difficulties. If you are still collecting at the Post Office and experiencing problems, update your payment method to a bank account at a SASSA office or through the SASSA services portal.
Common Older Persons Grant Problems and How To Fix Them
Payment not received.
Wait three working days after the payment date before treating it as a problem. Check your bank statement for deposits under non-SASSA references such as SOCIAL GRANT or SAPO. Contact your bank to confirm whether a deposit was received and accepted or returned. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 for your payment reference number and to request reprocessing if needed.
Banking details incorrect or outdated.
Update your banking details at a SASSA office or through the SASSA services portal. Take your ID document and new bank card or a recent bank statement showing your name and account number.
Grant suspended after a review.
SASSA conducts periodic means test reviews of Older Persons Grant recipients. If your grant is suspended following a review you will receive a notification. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 immediately to understand the reason and what documents are needed to reinstate it.
Application declined.
If your application was declined SASSA must notify you in writing with the reason. You have the right to appeal. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm the reason and the appeal process. If the decline was due to the means test and your circumstances have changed, reapply with updated documentation.
SASSA card lost or stolen.
Report a lost or stolen SASSA card immediately by calling 0800 60 10 11 to block the card. Visit your nearest SASSA office or Post Office branch to apply for a replacement card. Take your ID document.
Copy and Paste Template for Older Persons Grant Payment Follow-Up
Subject: Older Persons Grant Payment Not Received — [Your ID Number] — [Month Year]
Message:
Dear SASSA,
I am writing to follow up on my Older Persons Grant payment for [Month Year] which has not reflected in my account. My payment date has passed and funds have not been received.
Full name: [Your full name as on your ID]
ID number: [Your 13-digit ID number]
Phone number registered to grant: [Your registered phone number]
Bank account on file: [Account number and bank name if known]
Please confirm whether payment was processed for this month, the payment reference number, and which account payment was sent to. If payment failed or was returned, please advise on reprocessing.
Thank you.
Scam Awareness for Older Persons Grant Recipients
Older grant recipients are among the most frequently targeted by scammers who know that the grant is often the primary income source.
Common scams include people offering to apply for the grant on your behalf for a fee, calls claiming your grant has been suspended and asking for a fee to reinstate it, people visiting your home claiming to be SASSA officials conducting reviews and requesting payment, and messages claiming the grant amount has increased and asking you to update your details through a link.
SASSA never charges fees for applications, reviews, or grant payments. SASSA officials do not visit private homes to conduct reviews. Never share your banking PIN, OTP, or SASSA card PIN with anyone. All legitimate SASSA processes are completely free.
Summary: Older Persons Grant at a Glance
- The grant is R2,190 per month for South African citizens and qualifying residents aged 60 and older who meet the means test.
- No medical assessment is required.
- Apply at a SASSA office or through the SASSA services portal with your ID, proof of residence, and proof of income or an affidavit confirming no income.
- Payment is made on the first day of SASSA’s monthly payment cycle.
- If you are transitioning from the Disability Grant, contact SASSA before your 60th birthday to ensure an uninterrupted transition.
- If payment has not arrived, wait three working days, check your bank statement, contact your bank, then contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
Older Persons Grant FAQs
Do I need a medical assessment to apply?
No. The Older Persons Grant does not require a medical assessment. Eligibility is based on age and the financial means test only.
Can I apply before I turn 60?
You can submit your application up to three months before your 60th birthday so that payment begins as close to your birthday as possible. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm the earliest date you can apply in your specific situation.
I am receiving the Disability Grant. Do I need to reapply when I turn 60?
In most cases the transition happens automatically. However contact SASSA a few months before your 60th birthday to confirm and avoid any payment disruption during the transition.
Can my spouse and I both receive the Older Persons Grant?
Yes, provided both of you are 60 or older and both meet the means test individually. The means test for a married couple uses your combined income and assets, but each qualifying spouse receives their own grant payment.
What happens if I go into a government old age home?
If you move into a state-funded government old age home your grant may be affected because the state is providing for your care. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 before or immediately after moving into any care facility to understand how your grant will be affected.
Can I receive the Older Persons Grant if I still work part-time?
Yes, provided your total annual income including part-time earnings does not exceed R92,568 per year for a single applicant. If your income rises above this threshold your grant may be suspended or cancelled following a means test review.
My SASSA card expired. What do I do?
Visit your nearest SASSA office or Post Office branch with your ID document to apply for a replacement card. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 first to confirm the process and whether your payment will continue during the replacement period.
Can I receive the Older Persons Grant and the Grant-in-Aid at the same time?
Yes. If you receive the Older Persons Grant and require full-time care from another person due to your physical condition, you can apply for the Grant-in-Aid of R510 per month in addition. A medical assessment confirming your need for full-time care is required for the Grant-in-Aid. See our Grant-in-Aid page for details.
What if my income exceeds the means test threshold in one year but not the next?
SASSA conducts periodic means test reviews. If your income drops below the threshold again after a period above it, you can reapply for the grant. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm the reapplication process.
Can a foreign national receive the Older Persons Grant?
Permanent residents and refugees with valid refugee status permits qualify. Asylum seekers and undocumented foreign nationals do not qualify. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm your specific status and eligibility.
Official References
- SASSA services portal
- SASSA website
- SASSA payment dates 2025/2026
- SASSA helpline: 0800 60 10 11 (free, Monday to Friday)
- SASSA WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- Legal Aid South Africa: 0800 110 110
- Black Sash: 072 663 3739
