New SASSA Qualifying Criteria (2024)
SASSA New Eligibility Criteria 2024
SASSA has announced new qualification criteria and new rules for grant beneficiaries in 2024.
The new rules are aimed at helping those without means to support themselves from old age grants to child support.
Who Qualifies for SASSA Old Age Grant (2024)
For you to qualify for the old age grant in terms of the SASSA rules for 2024, you need to meet the following criteria.
- You must be a South Africa citizen and be 60 years of age or older.
- Your annual income should not exceed R96,840 for single applicants or R172,560 for married individuals.
- The old age grant you get will vary depending on your age as follows:
– If you’re between 60 to 74 years old you will get R2,090 per month
– and if you’re 75 or older you’ll get R2,110 per month - The grant is for South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees who have no other source of income and are unable to work.
- To apply for the old age grant, you must pass a means test (see below), which evaluates your income, assets, and other financial factors
- These criteria are important to ensure that the old age grant reaches those who are truly in need of financial assistance.
Child Care Grant (Child Support Grant)
The Child Support Grant (CSG) qualifying criteria for 2024 are currently as follows, but, there have been proposals for revisions.
Potential new criteria (not yet confirmed):
- Age limit for the child: Extending the eligible age from 18 to 21 years old.
- Household income threshold: Possibly increasing the current R52,800 annual income limit for single applicants and R105,600 for married couples.
- Bio-parent involvement: Requiring proof of involvement from the biological parent who isn’t the primary caregiver.
Current criteria still apply until official changes are announced:
- The primary caregiver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or special permit holder.
- The primary caregiver must not be receiving any other government grants for the child.
- The child must be under 18 years old (unless enrolled in full-time education, then until 21).
- The household income must fall below the specified income threshold (based on family structure).
Please remember to always check the official SASSA website for confirmed updates.
And don’t hesitate to apply for the grant if you believe you meet the current requirements.
Care Dependency Grant: Qualifying Criteria 2024
Who is eligible?
To qualify for the care dependency grant, applicants must be:
- South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees.
- The primary caregiver or foster parent appointed by the court for a child under 18 with a severe disability.
- The child must not be receiving long-term care in a state institution.
- Both the applicant and (if married) their spouse must meet the means test requirements (no means test for foster parents).
i) Single income: Individuals cannot exceed an annual income of R238,800 (around $15,700).
ii) Married income: Combined annual income for married couples must not surpass R499,200 (around $32,600). - Additional Requirements:
i)You must submit a medical/assessment report confirming the child’s permanent, severe disability.
ii)Both applicant and spouse (if applicable) must be able to prove residency in South Africa.
R350 Additional Eligibility Criteria
The qualifying criteria for the R350 SRD grant in South Africa for 2024 haven’t been officially announced yet.
But there’ve been some discussions and proposals for changes, so here’s what we know about the possible new criteria for 2024.
- Income threshold: The current threshold is R624 monthly income. Proposals suggest raising it to R670 or even R750.
- Bank accounts: Applicants may need to demonstrate they don’t have multiple bank accounts to prevent duplicate applications.
- Work registration: There might be a requirement to register on the National Employment Registry as actively seeking work.
- Youth focus: Targeting the grant towards younger age groups (e.g., 18-35) is being considered.
Until we get an official announcement, the current criteria will remain in place, which are as follows;
- Unemployed South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or special permit holders.
- Aged between 18 and 59 years old.
- Monthly income below R624.
- Not receiving any other government grants or unemployment benefits.
Conclusion: How Will the New Eligibility Criteria for SASSA Grants Affect Applicants?
The new eligibility criteria and SASSA rules in 2024 could affect existing grant beneficiaries and those wishing to submit their online applications.
The means test, which assesses income and assets, will continue to be a crucial factor in determining eligibility for the grants.
This test is designed to ensure that the assistance reaches those who genuinely need financial support, while also preventing individuals who do not meet the criteria from receiving the grants.
Additionally, the changes in the grant design aim to minimize the number of people with other income sources receiving the grant, thereby directing the awards toward the most deserving beneficiaries.
It’s important for applicants to stay informed about these new criteria to avoid disruptions in their grant payments and to understand how their financial status will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure ongoing eligibility.
Furthermore, the changes are predicted to have a positive impact on certain grants, such as an anticipated increase in financial assistance for senior citizens.
Overall, it’s essential for applicants to understand and comply with the new eligibility criteria to continue receiving the support they need.