The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) runs a means test to determine an applicant’s eligibility for social grants. The means test evaluates one’s income, assets, and overall financial standing to ensure that only economically disadvantaged individuals receive assistance. Each grant type has specific thresholds that applicants must fall under to qualify.
The SASSA means test is a financial assessment that decides whether an applicant qualifies for social assistance. It calculates the applicant’s:
Income – Salary, pension, investments, business revenue, etc.
Assets – Cash, property, investments, insurance policies, etc.
Other financial factors – Outstanding debts, number of dependents, etc.
Applicants must fall below the stipulated income and asset thresholds for their respective grant. If their finances exceed the threshold, they are ineligible. For married applicants, SASSA evaluates both partners’ finances collectively.
The means test thresholds are updated on 1st April and 1st October annually.
SASSA Grant Income Thresholds
Old Age, Disability, Grant-in-Aid, and War Veterans Grant
Single persons: R8,070 per month (R96,840 per year)
Married couples: R16,140 per month (R193,680 per year)
Disability Grant
Single persons: R8,070 per month (R96,840 per year)
Married couples: R16,140 per month (R193,680 per year)
Child Support Grant
Single caregivers: R5,000 per month (R60,000 per year)
Married caregivers: R10,000 per month (R120,000 per year)
SASSA Grant Asset Thresholds
Old Age & Disability Grant
Single persons: R1,372,800
Married couples: R2,745,600
The Foster Child Grant has no means test.
Child Support and Care Dependency Grants only check income.
What Counts as Income for the SASSA Means Test?
SASSA considers various sources of regular earnings as “income” when determining grant eligibility, including:
Retirement fund payouts
Profits from running a business or farm
Financial support received from family/friends
Rental income from property
Child maintenance payments
Salaries and wages
Payments from UIF, RAF, or COIDA
Allowable deductions that can lower assessed income:
Medical aid contributions
Tax payments
Pension fund contributions
What Counts as an Asset under the SASSA Means Test?
SASSA tallies different possessions to quantify an applicant’s overall “Assets”. This includes:
Bank account balances held individually or jointly with a spouse
Property, land, or real estate owned besides a primary residential home
The monetary value of investments like shares, unit trusts, etc.
Retirement annuity payouts (only for retired persons)
Outstanding loans and debts
Additional considerations:
Primary homes have special exemption provisions for pensioners
Unmarried applicants have assets counted individually
Married applicants have combined assets with spouse considered
Latest Social Grant Amounts in South Africa as of October 2023
Below is the table of Latest Social Grant as of October 2023, and they might increase in April, 2024.
Grant Type
Monthly Payout
Older Persons Grant (under 75 years)
R2,090
Older Persons Grant (over 75 years)
R2,110
Disability Grant
R2,090
War Veterans Grant
R2,110
Foster Child Grant
R1,130
Care Dependency Grant
R2,090
Child Support Grant
R510 (R750 with top-up)
Grant-in-Aid
R510
SRD Grant
R350
Conclusion
The SASSA means test determines who requires state support. By checking one’s income, assets, and debts, it can identify households struggling financially. Each grant has thresholds tailored to its target recipients. Assessments occur biannually on 1 April and 1 October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the SASSA Means Test?
The means test calculates income, assets, and finances to determine grant eligibility. Applicants must be below set thresholds.
Q: Who must take the SASSA Means Test?
All grant applicants except Foster Child grants. Married couples have combined finances assessed.
Q: What Sources are Counted as income?
Salaries, pension payments, rental income, child maintenance support, business revenue and certain compensation payouts.
Q: What assets does SASSA Consider for the Test?
Bank balances, property values (except primary home), investments like shares, retirement annuities if retired and outstanding debts.
Q: How often do the Means Test Thresholds change?
The income and asset limits get updated and published every 1st of April and October each year.
I’m Anele Zulu, a South African social worker dedicated to serving my country’s most vulnerable. With my degree and field expertise, I empower underprivileged communities through compassionate support and tireless advocacy on this website. My goal is simplifying access to services so families can uplift themselves
