The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides various grants to eligible citizens in South Africa.
To qualify for these grants, applicants must meet specific income and asset thresholds, which are determined by the SASSA Means Test.
This test assesses an individual’s income and assets to ensure that only those who need financial assistance receive the grants.
What is the SASSA Means Test?
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.
SASSA Means Income Source Identified
Income Thresholds for Different Grants
Each type of SASSA grant has different income thresholds. The following 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:
- 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
- Care Dependency Grant:
- Single person (primary caregiver): R5,000 per month / R60,000 per year
- Married applicant (primary caregiver): R120,000 per year / R10,000 per month
Income Thresholds Table
| 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 |
Asset Thresholds for Different Grants
The asset thresholds also vary for different grants. The following 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.
What is Considered Income?
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.
What are Considered Assets?
Assets refer to possessions that hold value, such as funds held in bank accounts, real estate properties, investments, and annuities.
Deductions from Total Income
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.
Payment Amounts for Different Grants
The payment amounts for various SASSA grants differ. The following are the payment amounts for 2025:
| Grant Type | Monthly Payment Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
| Older Person’s Grant | R2,190 (R2,210 for 75+) | South African citizens aged 60 and above, meet the means test. |
| Disability Grant | R2,190 | South African citizens aged 18–59 with a certified disability, meeting the means test. |
| War Veterans Grant | R2,210 | South African citizens who are war veterans, meeting the means test. |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2,190 | South African citizens caring for children under 18 with severe disabilities, meeting the means test. |
| Foster Child Grant | R1,180 | South African citizens fostering children under 18, with a court order for foster care. |
| Child Support Grant | R530 | South African citizens caring for children under 18, meeting the means test. |
| Child Support Grant (Top-Up) | R530 + R250 = R780 | Additional support for children under 18, meeting the means test. |
| Social Relief of Distress | R350 | South African citizens aged 18–60, unemployed, and meeting the means test. |
- Phone: 0800 60 10 11
- Email: info@sassa.gov.za
- Website
- Physical address: SASSA Head Office, 711 5th Street, Pretoria, 000