The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) distributes more than 18 million permanent social grants payments and an additional 8 million benefits from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD).
Permanent grants distributed by Sassa include the Older Persons pension grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant, Care Dependency grant, Foster Child grant, Child Support grant, Child Support grant Top-Up and Grant-in-aid.
The Older Person's Grant, commonly referred to as the old-age pension, is a monthly payment made to citizens, legal permanent residents, and refugees who are 60 years of age or older and do not have any other sources of income.
This grant aims to financially assist our older residents when they can’t work anymore.
During the annual budget speech, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced grant payment value adjustments. The first Sassa increase in social grant payments for 2024 was implemented in April 2024 while the second increase was implemented in October.
Several Grants received a R10 increment in their values in October 2024, including the Older persons grant.
Here’s How Much Sassa Older Persons Grants Are
- Older Persons grant - R2,190
- Older Persons (75 years and older) - R2,210
Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi clarified that the agency’s role is limited to managing grant distribution and does not include making policy decisions regarding increases in social grants.
He emphasised that policy matters are handled by the Department of Social Development, while budgetary decisions fall under the National Treasury.
This comes after Sassa faced criticism for a mere R10 increase in grants but Letsatsi pointed out that even a small amount like R10 adds up significantly when distributed to millions of people.
The social grants budget stands at R265 billion, which is allocated to Sassa. Letsatsi added that no amount of money should be considered insignificant.
The budget for Social Grants is R265 billion. This is the amount which then gets allocated to the South African Social Security Agency but in my view I would simply say no amount of money is little money.
Where To Collect Sassa Grants
Sassa beneficiaries can choose to have their Sassa grant be paid directly to their bank account.
Sassa grant beneficiaries can also collect their Sassa social grants at several payment points. These payment points include ATMs and retail stores such as Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite and Boxer.
Postbank launched the Mzansi Debit Card to provide affordable banking solutions to all South Africans. This new offering is available to beneficiaries of the Sassa grants.
Letsatsi said Sassa cards can be used in the same way as regular bank cards which beneficiaries can use to make purchases and payments at pay points around the country.
