SASSA Older Person Grants for May 2025 experience delays

Elderly South Africans expecting their May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants may face further disruptions this week, as the agency rolls out what it calls “targeted verification processes.”

SASSA announced in a press statement that these additional checks could delay payouts, compounding the frustration already felt by beneficiaries.

With Tuesday, 6 May 2025, marking the final allowable payday, pensioners have had to make their April grants stretch across five weeks and three long weekends. Now, just as payments are due, some recipients may be caught in yet another round of administrative delays beyond their control.

MAY 2025 SASSA OLDER PERSON GRANTS

To add insult to injury, the South African Social Security Agency finally backtracked on Postbank Gold-to-Black card migrations. The Postbank debacle has been playing out for months, causing untold misery to affected card holders. Now, following an inevitable extension of the deadline, the agency says SASSA Gold cards will simply remain valid after all.

And, let’s not forget that May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants – which were only increased last month – are in the firing line since VAT increases were overturned. The Finance Minister still has to table a third budget. And it’s still unclear whether above-inflation SASSA grant increases (5.9%) will stay.

In fact, it’s almost inevitable that this urgent call for targeted SASSA grant verification has something to do with the National Treasury and SASSA trying to recoup money. Don’t forget that biometric verification for SRD grants was ruled illegal in the High Court in January 2025, when it emerged the agency was using it to exclude recipients and keep spending within budget.

‘CORE’ BENEFITS BEING ERODED

Last month’s April 2025 SASSA grant increases saw R130 extra going into recipients’ pockets. As such, this week’s May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants for 60 to 74s will be R2 310. And over 75s will benefit from the higher R2 330 payment. Old-Age Grants paid by the state go to roughly 4-million recipients each month.

New applicants must remember the process takes nearly three months. However, if and when you are successful, you will receive backdated funds to the time of your first application. Nevertheless, the targeted verification this month is for recipients who don’t use a 13-digit South African ID number, explained SASSA.

In some cases, there is a South African ID on file at SASSA but not the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Or vice versa. As such, anyone who fails to come forward to rectify this discrepancy risks have their SASSA grant suspended. So, if you’re being accused in error, report to a SASSA branch/office as soon as possible.

SASSA ASSET AND MEANS TEST

Furthermore, don’t forget that May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants are subject to the usual asset and means test. Therefore, the agency wants to confirm that its applicants are sufficiently underprivileged to continue receiving funds.

For first timers, there are no online applications. You must report to a SASSA office with the following documents (and copies):

• A bar-coded ID – smart card or green booklet.
• Documents proving your marital status.
• Proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it, not more than three months old).
• Confirmation of your proof of income and/or financial dividends.
• Any relevant information regarding your assets, valuation of property.
• Declaration of private pension in your name (if applicable).
• Valid three months’ statements certified by your bank (not more than three months old).
• Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous job.
• First and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS?

Anyone over 60 who earns less than:

• R8 070 per month (R96 840 per year) income if single.
• R16 140 per month (R193 680 per year) income if married.
• Total assets of R1 372 800 if single.
• Total assets of R2 745 600 if married.

A family member or friend may help with your application if you’re too old or sick to travel. All you need is a letter from a doctor. And all of the above documentation certified by a commissioner of oaths. Finally, if your May 2025 SASSA Older Person Grants are denied, you have 90 days to appeal the decision with the DSD by clicking HERE and following the prompts.

Also note that the agency’s targeted verification also covers accounts that may have been misrepresented in the application. This is to check that means/assets have not suddenly improved since you first applied. However, under normal circumstances, SASSA must give three-months’ notice in writing beforehand.

CONTACT SASSA

SASSA is overworked, understaffed and difficult to get hold of, however, for any queries you can try:

• SASSA toll-free line: 0800 601 011
• Head Office of SASSA: 012 400 2322
• Email SASSA: grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za