SASSA pensioner reveals the one expense that swallows her entire grant

Avril Lloyd has nothing left by the end of each month. The retired KwaZulu-Natal pensioner, aged over 65, has received the Older Persons Grant for more than five years. It is her only income, and she says it does not cover her basic needs.

Lloyd shared her experience in The South African’s SASSA grant survey.

Older Persons Grant swallowed by rent

The old age pension pays R2 400 per month for people aged 60 and older, applying from April 2026.

For Lloyd, almost all of that money goes to one expense. She uses her grant mainly for rent and housing costs, and by month-end, nothing remains.

“Would be really grate if the pension amounts were substantially increased as my Grant only covers my rent,” Lloyd said.

The pressure reaches the dinner table. Lloyd confirmed that someone in her household went without food in the past month. She says she regularly struggles to make ends meet.

Housing costs top her list of worries

Lloyd names housing costs as her biggest financial concern. As a private renter, she has no buffer when rent consumes her monthly payment.

She spent her working life in childcare and caregiving. Today, she can only travel under five kilometres for work, which limits any chance of earning extra income.

Lloyd has never applied for additional government support. She explained that she did not know what else was available to her.

When asked what one thing she would change about SASSA, her answer matched her comment. She wants the grant amount increased.

Smooth service, but the money falls short

Lloyd has no complaints about how SASSA runs her grant. Her payments go straight into her bank account, and she says the process has been straightforward from the start.

She rates SASSA’s communication with recipients as very good. When asked about her biggest challenge with SASSA grants, she said she has none.

That makes her story stand out. The system delivers her pension on time every month, yet she still cannot afford both a roof over her head and regular meals.

For now, her grant pays the landlord, and little else.

Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey

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Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.