What is the SASSA Means Test?
The SASSA Means test is an eligibility test for all types of SASSA social grants. In this test, SASSA determines the qualification of all the applicants for the applied grants. To get the payment for a specific grant, an applicant has to pass this test.
The means test takes into account both income and assets of the applicant and their spouse if married. For income, it considers all sources of regular gross income before deductions such as salaries, rental income, dividends, interest earned, business income, and any other streams of money received regularly. Irregular income is not counted.
For assets, the means test measures the current market value of all assets owned by the applicant and their spouse. This includes cash, bank balances, investments, property, livestock, vehicles, insurance policies with a surrender value, and any other assets that can be liquidated for cash. Tools used for work purposes are excluded.
SASSA Means Test for All Social Grants in 2024
Now let’s see what the value of the means test for all types of SASSA grants in 2024.
Older Person’s, War Veteran’s, Disability Grant, Care Dependency, Child Support Grant Income Threshold
Below is the table of income thresholds for the grants, Disability, War Veteran’s, and Older Person’s, Child Support, and Care Dependency grants:
| Grant | Income for Single | Income for Married |
|---|---|---|
| Older Person’s, Disability, & War Veterans’s Grant | R96 840/year | R193 680/year |
| Child Support Grant | R60 000/year | R120 000/year |
| Care Dependency Grant | R249 600/year | R499 200/year |
Older Persons, Disability, and War Veteran’s Grant Asset Threshold
| Asset Value Limit for Single | R1 372 800 |
| Asset Value Limit for Married | R2 745 600 |
SASSA Means Test Calculator
What is the Definition of Income in the Sense of Means Test?
Here are the key things considered as income in the SASSA means test:
- Salaries and wages before deductions
- Commissions and bonuses
- Pensions and annuities
- Rental income
- Interest and dividends
- Royalties
- Unemployment insurance benefits
- Income from business activities
- Maintenance payments received
- Board and lodging receipts
- Farming proceeds and other agricultural income
Irregular income like gifts, donations, lottery/gambling winnings, and insurance payouts are excluded from the means test. Overall, any regular stream of money received monthly or annually is considered income.
What is the Meaning of Asset in Sense of SASSA Means Test?
The term ‘asset’ in the context of the SASSA means test refers to possessions that have monetary value and can be easily converted to cash. The following are considered assets:
- Cash in hand, bank, and savings accounts
- Retirement annuities and policies with a surrender value
- Shares, bonds, and other investments
- Rental property and second homes
- Vehicles, including cars, boats, motorcycles etc.
- Livestock like cattle and sheep
- Farming equipment like tractors and implements
- Business assets like machinery, inventory, property, etc.
- Valuable personal items like jewelry, collections, etc.
Some exceptions are:
- Primary residence up to R350,000 in value
- One vehicle up to R100,000 in value if used for daily transport
- Tools of trade up to R100,000 in value
So in summary, any items that can be liquidated for cash are considered assets by SASSA for the means test.
What are the Payments of All SASSA Grants?
Here are the monthly payment amounts for the different SASSA grants in 2024:
| Older Person’s Grant | R2 080 per month if age is below 75 years. R2 100 per month if age is above 75 years. |
| Disability Grant | R2 080 per month |
| Child Support Grant | R500 per month (If add the top-up of R250 then R750) |
| War Veterans Grant | R2 100 per month |
| Grant-in-Aid | R500 per month |
| Foster Child Grant | R1 120 per month |
| Care Dependency Grant | R2 080 per month |
| Covid-19 SRD Grant | R350 per month |
How Do I Know that I Have Passed the Means Test?
SASSA will send you an SMS on your registered number where you can check and verify your means test progress. If your SASSA status is approved then you will get an SMS like your grant for the month of eg. November 2024 is approved.
This will indicate that you have successfully passed the means test and now your grant payment will be deposited to your bank account. You can also choose the cash option if you do not have a bank account.
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