What is SASSA Means Test in 2024

Understanding the SASSA Means Test is crucial if you’re thinking about applying for social grants in South Africa. This test is like a financial check-up, looking at your income, assets, and other things to see if you qualify for grants like those for older people, disabilities, or war veterans.

Each grant has its own money rules. For couples, they check how much money you both have together. But if you’re not married, they only look at your own money and stuff.

The rules for how much money you can have change every year, usually on April 1st or October 1st. This is important because it decides if you can get the grant or not.

This article details the latest income and asset thresholds effective from April 1, 2023, providing specific guidance to navigate the means test with confidence and meet requirements for social grants.

Check Your Grant Status

Income Threshold According to SASSA Means Test

Understanding how much you can earn while still qualifying for different SASSA grants is crucial if you’re considering applying for assistance. Let’s break down the income limits for each type of grant so you can see if you qualify:

For Older People, Those with Disabilities, and War Veterans:

• If you’re single, you can earn up to R8,070 a month (or R96,840 a year) to qualify.
• If you’re married, the combined income for you and your spouse can be up to R16,140 a month (or R193,680 a year).

For Child Support:

• If you’re the sole caregiver and not married, your income should be less than R5,000 a month (or R60,000 a year).
• If both you and your spouse are caregivers, your combined income should be under R10,000 a month (or R120,000 a year).

For Care Dependency (for children with severe disabilities):

• As a single parent or caregiver, you can earn up to R20,800 a month (or R249,600 a year).
• If you’re married, together you can earn up to R41,600 a month (or R499,200 a year).

For Foster Child Support:

• The good news is, your income doesn’t affect this grant. It’s solely about assisting the child.

For Emergency or Immediate Needs (Social Relief of Distress):

• This grant has a monthly limit of R624. It’s designed to provide urgent help to those in need.

Remember, each grant has its own income limits. If your income falls below these thresholds, you might qualify for assistance. These limits are reviewed annually to ensure they remain fair and reflective of the cost of living.

Asset Threshold According to SASSA Means Test

When it comes to qualifying for SASSA grants, knowing about asset thresholds is key. Think of it as a financial checkpoint to see if you’re eligible for help. Let’s dive into the details:

For Older Adults, People with Disabilities, and War Veterans:

• If you’re applying on your own, your assets, including your house, car, and savings, should not exceed R1,372,800.
• If you’re married, the total value of assets for you and your spouse shouldn’t surpass R2,745,600.

For Child-Related Grants (Child Support, Care Dependency, and Foster Child):

The good news is that these grants don’t consider your assets. They’re solely focused on meeting the needs of the children, regardless of your wealth.

Why Assets Matter:

For certain grants, like those for older adults or people with disabilities, SASSA evaluates your assets to determine your financial need. This helps ensure that assistance reaches those who genuinely require it.

Emergency Help (Social Relief of Distress):

For immediate assistance, such as the SRD grant, SASSA doesn’t take your assets into account. These asset limits are in place to ensure that support reaches those who truly need it. For children’s grants and emergency aid, your assets aren’t a concern—SASSA prioritizes meeting urgent needs.

What is Income According to the SASSA Means Test?

When SASSA looks at your eligibility for a grant, they consider your income, which is the money you regularly receive. Here’s a breakdown of what counts as income according to SASSA:

• Pension: If you receive regular payments from a private pension plan, SASSA considers this as part of your income.
• Business or Farm Profits: Any profit you make from operating a business or a farm is also counted as income.
• Financial Support from Family or Friends: If you regularly receive money from your friends or family, SASSA includes this in your income assessment.
• Rental Income: If you rent out part of your property or another property you own, the rental income is considered part of your total income.
• Child Maintenance: Money received from your ex-spouse for child support is included in your income assessment.
• Salary or Wages: Naturally, what you earn from your job—your salary or wages—is a significant part of your income.
• Property Leasing: Any income from leasing out properties, whether they’re residential or commercial, is counted as income.
• Compensation: Money received from funds like the Unemployment Insurance Fund, Road Accident Fund, or for work-related injuries (COIDA) is also considered as part of your income.

What is Asset According to the SASSA Means Test?

When SASSA assesses your eligibility for a grant, they consider your assets, which are the things you own. Here’s what SASSA counts as assets:

• Any money you have saved in your bank accounts is considered. For married individuals, SASSA looks at the combined bank balances of both spouses.
• If you own any property or land, except for the house you live in, its value is part of your assets. However, if you still have a mortgage on a property, that property’s value isn’t counted.
• Any investments you have, such as stocks or bonds, are included in your assets. This applies whether the investments are in your name only or jointly with your spouse.
• If you have money in a retirement fund but haven’t retired yet, this money isn’t counted as an asset. However, once you retire and start receiving money from this fund, it becomes part of your assets.
• Debts like mortgages or loans are also considered as part of your assets.
• The house you live in is not counted as an asset when determining your eligibility for a grant.

SASSA Grants Money Calculation & Cost Deduction

First off, SASSA looks at your income to decide if you qualify for a grant. But not all your income counts. You can actually deduct some expenses.

Things like what you pay into the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), your medical aid costs, income tax, and what you’re putting into retirement plans, like annuities or pension funds, can be taken off your total income.

This can help lower your income on paper, which might just make it easier for you to qualify for a grant.

How Much Are the Grants:

Now, let’s talk about how much you can expect to get from different types of grants. Remember, these amounts can change, usually in April or October each year.

here is a table summarizing the different types of grants and their monthly amounts:

Grant Type	Monthly Amount (R)
Older Persons (Under 75)	2,090
Older Persons (75 and Above)	2,110
Disability	2,090
War Veterans	2,110
Foster Child	1,130
Care Dependency	2,090
Child Support	510 (750 with top-up)
Grant Aid	510
Social Relief of Distress	350

Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are typically revised annually, usually in April or October each year.

Conclusion

The SASSA Means Test is a critical component for those seeking social grants in South Africa, as it determines eligibility based on income, assets, and other factors. 

Each grant has specific financial criteria, tailored to different groups, and these thresholds are subject to annual revisions. Understanding the means test guidelines is essential for navigating the application process confidently and meeting the requirements for social grants. 

Whether it’s the income limits for various grants, the asset thresholds, or the deductions allowed, being informed about these aspects can greatly impact your eligibility and the amount you receive. Stay updated with the latest changes to ensure you meet the criteria and receive the support you need.

Frequently Asked Questions