Parliament urged to push for R600 increase in SASSA old-age grant

Parliament has been urged to motivate for a R600 increase in SASSA’s old-age grant, which would take the monthly payment from R2 400 to R3 000.

The proposal was raised during public hearings on the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), hosted by Parliament’s Standing and Select Committees on Finance.

Financial pressure

The independent public interest initiative Math is not Mathing made the call, highlighting the financial pressure facing older South Africans as they attempt to cover essential living costs.

Presenting the proposal on behalf of the group, Geraldine Prinsloo questioned how pensioners were expected to make ends meet on the current grant.

“After food, electricity, accommodation, transport and medication, can we please explain to the South African elderly how they are expected to live on R2 400 per month?” Prinsloo asked.

She argued that while government budgets might balance on paper, the financial realities facing vulnerable people could remain unsustainable.

“A budget can balance perfectly on paper, while the lives it is supposed to sustain remains financially impossible,” she said.

Call for old-age grant to reach R3 000

The proposal would increase the monthly old-age grant by R600, representing a 25% increase from the R2 400 amount cited during the hearings.

Prinsloo called on Parliament to support the proposed adjustment, arguing that older people needed more assistance to meet their basic needs.

“Raise the older person’s pension from R2 400 to a mere R3 000 per month,” she said.

The request was made as part of public engagement on the MTBPS, which sets out government’s updated fiscal outlook and spending priorities.

Cost of living

The proposal places the cost of living facing pensioners in focus, particularly the need to cover food, electricity, accommodation, transport and medication from a limited monthly income.

However, any change to the old-age grant would depend on the relevant government budget and official announcements.

For now, the request from Math is not Mathing adds to the debate over whether social grants are sufficient to support older South Africans amid persistent household financial pressures.

Here’s how you can qualify for a SASSA Older Persons grant

The SASSA Older Persons grant, formerly known as the old age pension, is available to qualifying people aged 60 and older who need financial assistance during retirement.

But reaching the age requirement does not automatically mean an applicant will receive the grant.

Who qualifies for the Older Persons Grant?

Applicants must:

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee
• Live in South Africa
• Be 60 years or older
• Not receive another social grant for themselves
• Not be cared for in a state institution
• Pass the SASSA means test, which assesses income and assets

According to the SASSA criteria, applicants must not earn more than R86 280 a year if single (R7 190 a month) or R172 560 a year if married.

Their assets must also not exceed R1 227 600 if single or R2 455 200 if married.