The South African Goverment "State Pension Fund" is known as an "Old Age Grant" and this should not be no be confused with the "State Pension Fund".
Whom Can Apply for the State Old Age Grant?
Woman from 60 years or older and men who are 61 years or older, in 2010 men can also apply from age 60. If you qualify for the old age grant you will recieve monthly payments currently of R1010 p/m.
To Qualify:
You must be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa and living in South Africa at the time of applying for the grant. Must not be maintained or cared for in a State Institution (such as a state old age home), living in a psychiatric hospital, getting care from a state treatment centre, or if you are getting state care for a drug habit. Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of yourself and your spouse must comply with the means test. A 13 digit bar coded ID (identity document) must be submitted.
Means Test:
Only people whose financial situation is below a certain level can get the grant. The test to decide this is called a means test. The means test changes every year and for the old age grant this depends on your income, whether or not you are married, and on the income of both you and your spouse if you are married.
View the Means Test here
Old Age Grant 2009
The 2009, grant is R1010 per month.
If you cannot look after yourself and need full-time care from someone else, you may also apply for a Grant-In-Aid which you can get in addition to your old age grant. Also remember that people who get an old age pension have special housing subsidies available to them
APPLYING FOR THE GRANT
You can apply for the old age grant by filling in an application form at your nearest District Welfare office or counter service point of a District Office. You do not need to pay anything to make the application. If you live in The Helderberg Area you fall under the Esteriver Office.
The application process should not take longer than two hours. You will be interviewed, have your fingerprints taken, and given information on whether you qualify for the grant.
Documents Needed:
Your South African identity document (ID), which must be bar-coded.
Information about your marital status:
If you are single, an affidavit stating that you are single.
If you are married, your marriage certificate.
If you are divorced, your divorce order.
If your spouse is dead, your spouse's death certificate.
Information about your income and assets:
If you are employed, your wage certificate.
If you are unemployed, your Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) 'blue book' discharge certificate from your previous employer.
If you have a private pension, proof of the private pension.
If you have a bank account, your bank statements for three consecutive months.
If you have investments, information on the interest and dividends you earn.
If you cannot go to make the application yourself, a friend or family member can bring a letter from you and a doctor's note saying why you can't visit the office yourself. A home visit may then be arranged.
When you make the application, you should say how you would like the money to be paid. The money can be paid out in cash on specific days at a Pay Point, or you can get the money paid elecronically into your bank account.
It takes about 30 working days for your application to be processed and checked to see if your application is either approved or refused. If your application is refused you will get a letter explaining why it has been refused and how you can appeal.
If it is approved you will start getting payments within three months. The payments will be backdated to the day you applied for the grant.
You can find out what has happened to your application and when you can expect payment by calling the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) toll-free helpline on 0800 601 011.
The old age grant will be cancelled if you die, if you are admitted to a state institution, or if your income or assets improve so much that you no longer qualify in terms of the means test. You must inform the Department of any changes in your circumstances.
Further Information and Enquiries:
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
Toll-free helpline: 0800 601 011
