What Is The Means Test for SASSA? – A Step By Step Process In 2024

SASSA Means Test is used to check an applicant’s financial situation. This test includes how much money they make, what they own, and other money related details. This helps to make sure that the grants go only to those who really need them. If an applicant’s income or assets are more than what the SASSA means test allows, they won’t be eligible for the grant.

Each type of SASSA grant has different financial rules for the means test. This means how you qualify for a grant varies with each grant. For example, grants for older adults and people with disabilities change based on how much money you already have. 

If you have more money or assets, you will get less grant money. For these grants, there’s a sliding scale used. This means the more money you already have, the less money you will get from the grant.

When you apply for a SASSA grant, there are limits on how much money you can earn. The grant money depends on the type of grant. Below are the details for each type of grant.

SASSA Child Grant Means Test Requirements

• In case you are the main person taking care of the child and you are single. Then your monthly income should be no more than R5,000, or R60,000 for the whole year.

• If you are married and you are taking care of the child. Then your combined yearly income with your spouse should not exceed R120,000, which is R10,000 per month.

SASSA Old Age Grant Means Test, Disability, Grant-in-Aid, and War Veterans Grants Requirements

• You should not earn more than R8,070 each month, which will be R96,840 a year if you’re single.

• If you’re married, together you and your spouse shouldn’t earn more than R16,140 a month, or R193,680 in a year.

Foster Child Grant

• The Foster Child Grant does not require a means test, meaning there are no income restrictions for this grant. 

• This means that any foster parent can get support for their child, no matter how much money they make.

Care Dependency Grant

• For single parents or primary caregivers of a child, the maximum income is R20,800 per month or R249,600 per year.

• For married applicants, who are parents or primary caregivers, their combined income with their spouse should not exceed R41,600 per month or R499,200 per year.

SRD (Social Relief of Distress) Grant

• To qualify for the SRD Grant, an applicant’s income must be below R624 per month. 

• This grant is given to those individuals who are in immediate and urgent financial need.

These income limits are set to ensure that financial help reaches those who are most in need. This grant helps to provide support where the people are in need. It’s important for potential applicants to compare their income levels against these thresholds. In this way, it is easy for them to determine their eligibility for each type of grant.

If you don’t pass the test, your first step is to understand why your application is rejected. You can understand it by reviewing the specific requirements given in the SASSA application guidelines. 

This can involve verifying whether your income is within the acceptable range. You also have to make sure all necessary documents are submitted. After understanding these issues, you can reapply. All you need is to make sure to meet all the stated criteria for eligibility.

What if I pass the test?

After passing the test, SASSA will decide the amount of grant money you are eligible to receive. The amount varies based on the type of grant and your financial situation. 

For example, grants for older persons are decided using a sliding scale related to income. The higher your income, the smaller the grant you will receive. Once everything is finalized, you can regularly check your SASSA status online. In this way, you will find out your payment schedule. You can also see when you can expect to receive your grant.

Each SASSA grant has different rules about how much assets you can own and still qualify for the grant.

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

• If you are single, your assets must not be worth more than R1,372,800.

• If you are married, the combined assets with your spouse should not exceed R2,745,600.

Child Support, Care Dependency, Foster Child Grant, and SRD Grant:

• These grants are based on need and do not have an asset threshold for the means test. 

• This means you don’t need to provide the proof of your assets when applying for these grants.

What Counts as Income in the SASSA Means Test?

SASSA checks your income to see if you qualify for a grant. SASSA consider several types of income, given below:

• Money you receive from a private pension.
• Earnings from any business work or farming.
• Financial support from friends or family.
• Income from renting out part of your home.
• Child maintenance payments received from an ex-spouse.
• Your salary from employment.
• Income from renting out any other property you own.
• Compensation from other sources such as the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Road Accident Fund (RAF), or Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Fund (COIDA).

When SASSA takes a means test to determine your eligibility for assistance, they consider various types of assets:

Money in Bank Accounts: This includes all funds in your bank account and, if you are married, in your spouse’s account as well.

Property and Land Value: The value of any property or land that you or your spouse own. This is other than the home you currently live in. If there is a mortgage on a property or land, it’s considered to have no value in the means test.

Investments: Any investments like shares or other types of financial investments owned by you or your spouse are included.

Annuities from Retirement Funds: If you are not yet retired, the value of your annuity from a retirement fund is not an asset. However, if you are retired, your annuity is included as an asset in the means test.

Outstanding Debts: This includes any outstanding debts like loans or bonds.

These assets are all taken into account to check your financial status. It determines if you qualify for SASSA grants.

Deductions Allowed When Calculating Income for SASSA Means Test

When SASSA calculates income for the means test, you are allowed to not show expenses from gross income. These deductions include:

• UIF Payments: Money that you contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

• Medical Aid Expenses: Any money you pay towards a medical aid plan.

• Income Tax: The amount of income tax that you pay.

• Retirement Contributions: Contributions you make to any retirement plans, such as a retirement annuity or a pension fund.

These deductions can reduce your total reported income. This helps you in making you eligible for a SASSA grant. If your net income after deductions falls below the required threshold you are eligible for the grant.

If you: 

• Already get another social grant, except for a Grant-in-Aid with certain grants.
• Receive benefits under specific laws like the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act.
• Get payments for permanent disability from COIDA.
• Live fully funded in state-run institutions like nursing homes or prisons.
• Fail the means test. Then, you might not qualify for a SASSA grant.

Here’s a review of how much each type of SASSA grant pays in October 1, 2023. Keep in mind that these amounts might change on April 1 or October 1 each year:

• Older Persons Grant (under 75 years): R2,090 per month.
• Older Persons Grant (75 years and older): R2,110 per month.
• Disability Grant: R2,090 per month.
• War Veterans Grant: R2,110 per month.
• Foster Child Grant: R1,130 per month.
• Care Dependency Grant: R2,090 per month.
• Child Support Grant: R510 per month, with a top-up amount to R750.
• Grant Aid: R510 per month.
• SRD Grant: R350 per month.

These grants are paid monthly and are only given to those who meet the eligibility criteria.

SASSA means test is used to make sure that social grants go to people who really need them. It checks how much money you make, what you own to decide if you qualify for help. Each type of grant has its own rules about how much money you can make or what you can own to get the grant. If you apply and don’t get the grant, it’s important to find out the reason. This way, you can fix any problems and apply again. By checking all this carefully, SASSA makes sure that the grants help the right people.