The Means Test, a pivotal component of SASSA’s grant evaluation process, scrutinizes an applicant’s financial landscape, encompassing income, assets, and other financial aspects. This meticulous evaluation ensures that social grants are allocated to deserving individuals. If an applicant’s income or assets surpass the prescribed SASSA means test threshold, eligibility for the grant may be withheld.
Types of Grants and Their Means Test Criteria
Older Persons Grants, Disability Grants, and War Veterans Grants
These grants operate on a sliding scale, where private income inversely affects the grant amount. For a single person, the income threshold is R8,070 per month (R96,840 per year), while a married couple should not exceed a combined income of R193,680 per year (R16,140 per month).
Child Support Grant
The primary caregiver’s income should not surpass R5,000 per month (R60,000 per year). For a married couple, the combined income should not exceed R120,000 per year (R10,000 per month).
Care Dependency Grant
For a single person, the income threshold is R20,800 per month (R249,600 per year). A married couple’s combined income should not exceed R499,200 per year (R41,600 per month).
Foster Child Grant
A means test is not required for this grant.
SRD (Social Relief of Distress) Grant
Income must not exceed R624 per month.
Income and Asset Thresholds (Effective from April 1, 2023)
Income Thresholds
- Older Persons, Disability, Grant-in-Aid, and War Veterans Grant: R8,070 per month for a single person; R193,680 per year for a married couple.
- Child Support Grant: R5,000 per month for a single person; R120,000 per year for a married couple.
- Care Dependency Grant: R20,800 per month for a single person; R499,200 per year for a married couple.
- SRD Grant: R624 per month.
Asset Thresholds
- Older Persons, Disability, Grant-in-Aid, and War Veterans Grant: R1,372,800 for a single person; R2,745,600 for a married couple.
- Child Support, Care Dependency, Foster Child, and SRD Grant: No means test for assets.
What Constitutes Income and Assets in SASSA Means Test?
Income
- Private pension grants, business or farming income, financial help from friends or relatives, rental income, child maintenance payments, job income, and compensation from sources like UIF, RAF, or COIDA.
Assets
- Money in bank accounts, property or land values (excluding the primary residence), investment values, retirement annuities, and outstanding debts.
Deductible Costs in Calculating Income
- UIF payments, medical aid expenses, income tax payments, and contributions to retirement plans.