What is SASSA Means Test? Your Guide to Sassa Policies

To get a Grant from SASSA in South Africa, you need to understand their rules about who can get it. They have a test called the SASSA Means Test. This test is important because it decides if you can get the Grant (like Grant in Aid, R350 Grant, etc.) or not. It looks at how much money you make and what things you own. This is to make sure the money goes to people who need it and don’t have enough money to manage on their own.

They check things like how much you earn from your job, if you get money from a pension, or if you get money from family. They also look at what you own, like your house or any investments you have. It’s really important to understand and meet the rules of this test if you want help from SASSA in South Africa.

The SASSA Means Test checks how much money you have and what you own to make sure only the right people get the grant. It looks at your income, what you own, and other money stuff. If your income or what you own is more than what the SASSA Test allows, you might not get the grant.

Each type of SASSA grant has different income thresholds. Here are the maximum income thresholds for some common grants:

Old Age, Disability, Grant-in-Aid, and War Veterans Grant

• Single person: R8,070 per month / R96,840 per year
• Married couple: R193,680 per year / R16,140 per month

Child Support Grant

• Care Dependency Grant
  • Single person (parent or primary caregiver): R20,800 per month / R249,600 per year
  • Married applicant (parent or primary caregiver): R499,200 per year / R41,600 per month
• Single person (primary caregiver): R5,000 per month / R60,000 per year
• Married applicant (primary caregiver): R120,000 per year / R10,000 per month

Here’s a table showing the income thresholds for different types of grants:

Social Grant	Income Threshold (per month)	Income Threshold (per year)
Child Support Grant	R8,070	R96,840
Care Dependency Grant
Single Applicant	R20,800	R249,600
Married Applicant	R41,600	R499,200
Primary Caregiver Grant
Single Applicant	R5,000	R60,000
Married Applicant	R10,000	R120,000

These are the amounts you can earn per month and per year to qualify for each type of grant. If your income exceeds these thresholds, you may not be eligible for the grant.

The asset thresholds also vary for different grants. Here are the maximum asset thresholds for some common grants:

Old Age, Disability, Grant-in-Aid, and War Veterans Grant

• Single person: R1,372,800
• Married couple: R2,745,600

• Other Grants (such as Child Support, Care Dependency, Foster Child, and SRD Grant):
  • These grants are need-based and do not require a means test for assets.

Income encompasses various sources of money, including pensions, earnings from business or farming activities, financial assistance from friends or relatives, rental income, wages from employment, and compensation received from entities such as UIF, RAF, or COIDA. On the other hand, assets refer to possessions that hold value, such as funds held in bank accounts, real estate properties, investments, and annuities.

When determining eligibility for social grants through means testing, certain expenses are taken into account to calculate net income. These deductions include contributions made to UIF, expenses related to medical aid coverage, income tax payments, and contributions toward retirement plans. By subtracting these expenses from the total income, a more accurate assessment of an individual’s financial situation can be made, helping to ensure that those in genuine need receive appropriate assistance.

SASSA Grant Payment Amounts (as of October 1, 2023)

Social Grant	Monthly Payment Amount
Older Persons Grant	R2,090 – R2,110
Disability Grant	R2,090 – R2,110
War Veterans Grant	R2,090 – R2,110
Foster Child Grant	R1,130
Child Support Grant	R510 (with additional top-up for Child Support)
Grant-in-Aid	R510
SRD Grant	R350

The payment amounts for various SASSA grants differ with time. These amounts ensure financial support for different categories of individuals, including older persons, individuals with disabilities, war veterans, foster children, and those in need of child support. Additionally, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant provides temporary assistance to eligible recipients.

The SASSA Means Test is crucial for identifying people who urgently need financial help. Understanding the rules about how much income and assets you’re allowed to have is important for getting SASSA grants and getting the support you need. If you have questions about applying for a grant or if you’re eligible, you can contact SASSA directly for help.