SASSA Means Test
If you are looking to apply for any SASSA social grant, then you must pass the SASSA means test because it is one of the eligibility criteria. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) calculates the applicant’s financial status, income, assets, and other financial factors to ensure the grant will be distributed among deserving individuals. If the applicant fails to pass the means test, their social grant application will be rejected.
Each grant has different means test criteria like old age pension, disability grant, and war veteran grant, which are all paid on a sliding scale. It means that the more income you have, the smaller the grant amount you will receive.
The calculation of assets and income depends on your marital status. If you are married, your income and assets are calculated collectively with your spouse. However, if you are unmarried or divorced, your financial status solely depends on you.
SASSA updates the means test threshold every year on the 1st of April or the 1st of October. The income and asset threshold discussed in this article is updated from 1st October 2023. In this article, we will discuss each grant income and asset threshold and how to calculate the SASSA means test.
Requirements to Pass Means Test for SASSA Grant
To pass the SASSA means test, your income and asset value should be less than the threshold set by SASSA. The means test applies to all grants except foster care grants. The maximum income and asset threshold are discussed in the tables below.
SASSA Social Grants Income Threshold
Your income should be less than the given threshold by SASSA. Every grant has different maximum income thresholds given below in the table:
Grant Type | Threshold for Singles | Thresholds for Married |
---|---|---|
SRD R350 Grant | R6 24 per month | R6 24 per month |
Child Support Grant | R5 100 per month or R61 200 per year | R10 200 Per month or R122 400 per year |
Care Dependency Grant | R20 900 per month or R250 800 per year | R41 800 per month or R501 600 per year |
Disability Grant | R8 110 per month or R97 320 per year | R16 220 per month or R194 640 per year |
War Veterans Grant | R8 110 per month or R97 320 per year | R16 220 per month or R194 640 per year |
Older Persons Grant | R8 110 per month or R97 320 per year | R16 220 per month or R194 640 per year |
Grant-in-Aid Grant | R8 110 per month or R97 320 per year | R16 220 per month or R194 640 per year |
Foster Child Grant | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
SASSA Social Grants Assets Threshold
The assets threshold is only applicable to old age, disability, grant-in-aid, and war veterans grants. Below are the maximum asset limit thresholds for the SASSA grants:
Grant Type | Threshold for Singles | Thresholds for Married |
---|---|---|
War Veterans Grant | R1 379 400 | R2 758 800 |
Disability Grant | R1 379 400 | R2 758 800 |
Older Persons Grant | R1 379 400 | R2 758 800 |
Grant-in-Aid | R1 379 400 | R2 758 800 |
What is Income According to the SASSA Means Test?
SASSA considers the following as income during the means test:
What are Assets According to the Means Test?
SASSA considers the following as your assets during the means test:
SASSA Means Test Calculator
While calculating your income for the SASSA means test, just subtract the following expenses from your income:
SASSA Grant Payment Amount 2024
SASSA increases the grant payments effective as of April 1st, 2024 for all social grants except Grant-in-Aid. The increased payments for all SASSA social grants are given below in the table:
Social Grant Type | Grant Amount |
---|---|
Social Relief of Distress Grant | R370/month |
Child Support Grant | R530/month + R250/month Top-Up |
Care Dependency Grant | R2180/month |
Disability Grant | R2180/month |
War Veterans Grant | R2200/month |
Older Persons Grant (Age 60 to 74) | R2180/month |
Older Persons Grant (Age 75+) | R2200/month |
Grant-in-Aid | R500/month |
Foster Child Grant | R1180/month |
SASSA Means Test FAQs
Means Test Conclusion
SASSA means test is important to identify needy people who are facing financial difficulties and need immediate support for themself. The Means test evaluates the income and assets of the applicants to validate their eligibility. Each social grant has different mean test criteria that are important to pass to qualify for a SASSA social grant. If the applicant is single then the means test is evaluated solely of the applicant and if he/she is married then it is calculated both of the applicant and their spouse.