UPDATED outlook for May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants

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Due to a rare occurrence on the calendar, May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants will be slightly later than usual for ‘core’ grant recipients. While the South African Social Security Agency card migration debacle is out of the headlines for now, economic and timing challenges are now rearing their ugly head.

South Africa’s needy elderly population – already facing VAT and Eskom tariff hikes – have to endure a five-week wait for May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants. April 2025 Old-Age Grants were disbursed two weeks’ ago on Wednesday 2 April. However, the next scheduled payment only takes place on Tuesday 6 May 2025. Not only is this a week later than usual, but it also bookends a series of Easter long-weekend holidays.

MAY 2025 SASSA OLDER PESON GRANTS

As ever, the strange anomaly has prompted our readers to write in and ask why SASSA cannot simply make all social-welfare payments to the 1^st of each month. A reminder that the upcoming Easter long weekend runs from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April 2025. Freedom Day is observed on Monday 28 April 2025. And Worker’s Day, on Thursday 1 May 2025, will be another chance to extend into a third successive long weekend.

As great as days off are, it will be an extra burden on household finances of grant recipients. Many who receive May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants don’t just support themselves, but multiple family members with their modest stipend. Thankfully, the country’s over 60s did receive a welcome increase this month.

ABOVE-INFLATION INCREASES

Following last month’s increases, May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants remain unchanged. Image: File

April 2025 SASSA grant increases were commensurate with the rapidly rising cost of living, even if the R130 increase will be eroded away by the approved VAT increase from next month. Nevertheless, diarise May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants for Tuesday 6 May 2025. Beneficiaries aged from 60 to 74 will receive R2 310. And over 75s will receive the higher R2 330. Older Person grant recipients account for roughly 4-million SASSA payments each month.

New applicants should remember that processing takes as long as three months to be approved. However, if and when you are successful, you will receive backdated funds to the time of your first application. Furthermore, don’t forget that May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants are asset and means tested. This is so financial support is provided to only those who truly require it.

PASS THE ASSET AND MEANS TEST

Therefore, when you apply, the agency must see you’re sufficiently underprivileged to qualify for government welfare. The eligibility criteria works like so:

There is no online application form available. All applications for May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants must be made in-person at a SASSA office.
While still not always online, a SASSA online services portal allows you to book an appointment online first – click HERE for more.
Bring along your bar-coded ID – smart card or green booklet.
Documents proving your marital status.
Proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it).
Confirmation of your proof of income and/or financial dividends.
Any relevant information regarding your assets, valuation of property you own.
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.
Copy of your will, first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR SASSA OLDER PERSON GRANTS?

The agency has many ways of weeding out fraudulent applicants on its SOCPEN system for May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants. Image: File

If you have a private pension, savings and personal assets, your application will most likely not be approved. That is because SASSA is compelled by the National Treasury to enforce the following income and asset limits:

Income limit of R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year) if single.
Income limit of R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year) if married.
Total value of your assets must not exceed R1 372 800 if single.
Total value of your assets must not be higher than R2 745 600 if married.

Nevertheless, the agency does allow a family member or friend to help you 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 must be taken to a police station and certified by a commissioner of oaths. Finally, if 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.

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

SASSA toll-free line: 0800 601 011
Head Office of SASSA: 012 400 2322
Email SASSA: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za

Also note that you will never have to reapply for a SASSA grant once you have been approved. However, the agency can choose to review your status at any time. This is to confirm you have not misrepresented yourself in your application. And to check that your means have not suddenly improved since you first applied. SASSA must give three-months’ notice in writing before a review takes place.