May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants face disruption

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Beneficiaries of May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants are in for even more potential disruption this week. According to a press statement by the agency, May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants could be disrupted this week due to ‘targeted verification processes.’

This is yet another blow for recipients of May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants, following repeated disturbances to their service. Firstly, tomorrow’s payday for May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants, is the last allowable day on the calendar – namely Tuesday 6 May 2025.

This means the country’s elderly have had to stretch their April SASSA Old-Age disbursements over five weeks and three public-holiday long weekends. Now, some may face yet more interference that’s out of their control …

MAY 2025 SASSA OLDER PERSON GRANTS

To add insult to injury, the South African Social Security Agency finally backtracked on Postbank Gold-to-Black card migrations. The Postbank debacle has been playing out for months, causing untold misery to affected card holders. Now, following an inevitable extension of the deadline, the agency says SASSA Gold cards will simply remain valid after all.

And, let’s not forget that May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants – which were only increased last month – are in the firing line since VAT increases were overturned. The Finance Minister still has to table a third budget. And it’s still unclear whether above-inflation SASSA grant increases (5.9%) will stay.

In fact, it’s almost inevitable that this urgent call for targeted SASSA grant verification has something to do with the National Treasury and SASSA trying to recoup money. Don’t forget that biometric verification for SRD grants was ruled illegal in the High Court in January 2025, when it emerged the agency was using it to exclude recipients and keep spending within budget.

‘CORE’ BENEFITS BEING ERODED

Targeted verification of May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants is aimed to reduce corruption and dodgy payments, says the agency. Image: File

Last month’s April 2025 SASSA grant increases saw R130 extra going into recipients’ pockets. As such, this week’s May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants for 60 to 74s will be R2 310. And over 75s will benefit from the higher R2 330 payment. Old-Age Grants paid by the state go to roughly 4-million recipients each month.

New applicants must remember the process takes nearly three months. However, if and when you are successful, you will receive backdated funds to the time of your first application. Nevertheless, the targeted verification this month is for recipients who don’t use a 13-digit South African ID number, explained SASSA.

In some cases, there is a South African ID on file at SASSA but not the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Or vice versa. As such, anyone who fails to come forward to rectify this discrepancy risks have their SASSA grant suspended. So, if you’re being accused in error, report to a SASSA branch/office as soon as possible.

SASSA ASSET AND MEANS TEST

Money is extremely tight for recipients of May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants, who have had to battle through a five-week gap and three public holiday long weekends. Image: File

Furthermore, don’t forget that May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants are subject to the usual asset and means test. Therefore, the agency wants to confirm that its applicants are sufficiently underprivileged to continue receiving funds.

For first timers, there are no online applications. You must report to a SASSA office with the following documents (and copies):

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

WHO QUALIFIES FOR SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS?

The crack-down on May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants is part of an intensified mission to root out ineligible payments. Image: File

Anyone over 60 who earns less than:

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

A family member or friend may help with your application if you’re too old or sick to travel. All you need is a letter from a doctor. And all of the above documentation certified by a commissioner of oaths. Finally, if your May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants are denied, you have 90 days to appeal the decision with the DSD by clicking HERE and following the prompts.

Also note that the agency’s targeted verification also covers accounts that may have been misrepresented in the application. This is to check that means/assets have not suddenly improved since you first applied. However, under normal circumstances, SASSA must give three-months’ notice in writing beforehand.

SASSA is overworked, understaffed and difficult to get hold of, however, for any queries you can try: