Complete Understanding Of SASSA Means Test

The South African Social Security Agency, also known as SASSA, employs a method known as a means test to analyze an individual’s financial status. This is done to ascertain whether they are eligible to receive a social grant.

In the process of conducting a means test, SASSA takes into account the individual’s earnings, possessions, and any monetary aid they might be receiving from relatives or other sources. The purpose of this test is to ensure that grants are allocated to those who are most in need.

It’s important to note that the income and asset limits for the means test can differ based on the specific type of grant.

Every type of grant has its own set of standards for the means test, which is used to assess financial eligibility. For instance, grants for old people, those with disabilities, and war veterans are all distributed on a graduated scale. This means that the more personal income you possess, the less grant money you will be eligible to receive.

For those who are married, their assets and income are combined with their spouse’s for calculation purposes. This applies regardless of whether they are married in or out of community property. For those who are single, their assets and income are considered independently.

In this discussion, I’ve covered the income and asset limits for each type of grant. This piece will also inform you about the amount SASSA disburses. Maximum income and asset limits that are valid from April 1, 2023 will be discussed. These numbers aren’t set in stone and usually get updated either on April 1 or October 1 every year. So, keep an eye out for those changes!

The income thresholds for SASSA grants vary and should not exceed the specified amount per month as mentioned below:

NO.	Types of Grants	Income Threshold for Per Month
1.	Single person	R8 070
2.	Married couple	R16 140
3.	Child Support Grant	R5 000 for a single person R10 000 for a married applicant
4.	Care Dependency Grant	R20 800 for a single person R41 600 for a married applicant
5.	Foster Child Grant	Mean test is not required
6.	SRD (Social Relief of Distress) Grant	R624

The asset threshold for all SASSA grants are different and should not exceed the specified asset that are given below:

However, individuals falling under the categories of Child Support Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, and SRD are not required to report the asset threshold for means testing because they are all need-based grants.

There are different types of income sources that are considered in SASSA means test such as:

 Assets are defined as an individual`s possessions that contain economic value. Here are some examples of assets, such as

Cash

Assets can include money in your bank accounts and saving accounts. If you are married, the money in you and your spouse` bank accounts.

Property

It means the property that you and your spouse possess, including land, homes, vehicles, equipment, and costly items such as jewelry and artwork will be considered as property. 

Investments

It includes all sorts of  investments that you and your spouse have, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Inventory

Assets include goods or materials that are used for sale or production will be counted. 

Retirement Accounts

If an individual got retired, his annuity will be counted as assets.

Outstanding Debt

It includes loans, bonds, and debt that you get are also considered as assets.  

There are certain types of costs that are deducted while calculating the net revenue or profit. It includes:

Taxes

Income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and payroll taxes are deducted from revenue to find out the net profit. 

UIF Payments

The Unemployment Insurance Fund provides financial support to those workers who become unemployed due to maternity leaves, illness or other certain conditions. 

Medical Aid Expenses

It includes all the expenses that are used in healthcare services and can be deducted.

It includes the income that someone saves in a retirement saving account to provide income during retirement.

Here are the payment details for each category of SASSA grant.

NO.	Types of Grants	Threshold Per Month
1.	Older Persons Grant (under 75 years	R2 090
2.	Older Persons Grant(equal to or older than 75 years)	R2 110
3.	Disability Grant	R2 090
4.	War Veterans Grant	R2 110
5.	Foster Child Grant	R1 130
6.	Care Dependency Grant	R2 090
7.	Child Support Grant	R510
8.	Grant Aid	R510
9.	SRD Grant	R350