LATEST on increases to Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025

12 Views

Following a month of consternation, official increases to Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 are far higher than many had anticipated. The R130 increase (5.9%) announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana ensures that Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 will beat inflation and take the edge off a 1% VAT increase over two years.

Better still, for the country’s more than 4-million elderly grant recipients, government has also committed to spending R8.2 billion on social welfare over the next three years to help cushion the poor from inevitable cost-of-living increases. This great news follows the unprecedented postponement of February’s Budget Speech, which had South African Social Security Agency beneficiaries expecting the worst.

OLD AGE SASSA GRANTS IN APRIL 2025

Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 will go ahead despite issues with the Postbank card migration for millions of clients. Image: File

However, while the increase to Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 are higher than anticipated, the agency is still to announce official payment dates with just a week and a half to go to disbursement. Yet another bittersweet pill to swallow for many old-age pensioners who’ve been caught up in the disastrous SASSA/Postbank card migration .

At last count, 2-million affected Postbank/SASSA beneficiaries still have to have their cards migrated. Not even an extended deadline, which passed this week (Thursday 20 March 2025), could rectify the massive backlog. Nevertheless, even if your gold card stops working, Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 will continue to be paid. Drawing the funds will just be trickier until you migrate cards or change to a conventional bank account instead.

ABOVE-INFLATION INCREASES FOR APRIL 2025

Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 look as though they will fall on the first day of the month. Image: File

Nevertheless, perhaps a crumb of comfort for the elderly is confirmation on Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025. 60-to-74-year olds will receive R2 310 and over 75s will receive R2 330. Likewise, those with disability support will receive R2 310, and War Veterans the higher R2 330. As mentioned, the above-inflation increase is one-percentage-point higher than last years’ 4.9% increase.

However, there is still some cause for alarm, because the cabinet is still to hear contrary arguments by members of the GNU. For example, DA leader John Steenhuisen has categorically not supported the draft proposal. Whether this will impact the delivery of increased SASSA grants in 2025 remains to be seen. It’s understood that lawmakers will finalise the budget by May 2025.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR SASSA GRANTS

The tide is turning for some of the South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens, over 60s with little to no assets and means. Image: File

While dates for Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 have not been confirmed, we suspect they will take place on Tuesday 1 April 2025. And here’s everything you need know to secure yours when you turn 60:

Old-age benefits only apply to residents 60-years of age or older.
Grants are asset and means tested. Therefore, when you apply, you must prove you’re sufficiently underprivileged to qualify.
Applications can take upwards of three months to be processed. However, if successful, your first payment will include backdated funds to the time of your application.
There are no online application forms. All transactions must be done in-person at a SASSA branch or office.

Currently there are terrible queues, so we’d recommend making an appointment online first. Click HERE and follow the prompts.

BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCS WITH TO SASSA

Civil society worries if Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 will hold water against proposed VAT increases. Image: File

When you arrive for your interview to secure Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025, have the following ready for an agent:

Marriage certificate proving your marital status (if applicable).
Proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it, not older than three months).
Official bar-coded ID – smart card or green booklet.
Confirmation of proof of income/financial dividends.
Information regarding your assets/valuation of property.
Declaration of private pension (if applicable).
Valid three months’ statements certified by your bank (not older than three-months’ old).
Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous job.
Copy of your will, first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years.

Note that the agency does allow a family member or friend to help you with your application. Simply provide them with a letter from your doctor explaining why you cannot attend the application personally. Plus, the above documentation must be taken to a police station and certified by a commissioner of oaths.

THRESHOLD FOR SASSA ASSET AND MEANS TEST

If you exceed the asset and means limits you will be barred from a government pension. Image: File

Crucially, Old Age SASSA grants in April 2025 depend on clients meeting the relevant income and asset limits for social welfare:

R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year) income if single.
R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year) income if married.
Total value of assets R1 372 800 if single.
Total value of assets R2 745 600 if married.

If your application is denied, you have 90 days to appeal the decision with the DSD by clicking HERE. Note that, once approved, SASSA does have the right to review your grant status occasionally. However, the agency must give you three-months’ notice in writing beforehand.