Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the respective South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant increases for 2024 in his Budget Speech with this year’s “first” increase kicking in as from April.
The good news for Sassa grant increases in April 2024 is that the National Treasury has adjusted them to meet annual inflation.
Old-age beneficiaries between the age of 60 and 74 will receive R2 180 from April and those above 75 years of age, R2 200.
Not all grant beneficiaries, however, will benefit from this year’s second increase which will be implemented from 1 October. Take a look:
ALSO READ: Lifeline of SRD grant extended, gets R34bn
Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing his pride in the “pro-poor policies” of the African National Congress (ANC), the finance minister unfortunately did not announce any increase for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant which still stands at R350 per month.
ALSO READ: Sona 2024 promises: Will SRD be ‘improved’ to Basic Income Grant?
ALSO READ: It’s officials, our govt officials! Zulu admits workers fleeced Sassa of R50m in two years
If you have been wondering whether you need to reapply for the Sassa old-age grants in April to be compliant to receive the increase, the answer is, thankfully, “No”.
If you are already receiving a Sassa stipend, you need not reapply.
As a matter of fact, if you’re over 60 years of age and comply with all the necessary criteria to qualify for a government pension you don’t ever have to reapply.
However, to ensure you still qualify for government aid, your grant may occasionally be reviewed. You will be notified three months in advance of the date when the review will take place.
Similarly, if you do not claim for three consecutive months it will be cancelled.
The latter is the only reasonable scenario when you may have to reapply for Sassa old-age grants.
ALSO READ: Sassa grants: Update and closure schedule of Post Office cash payment points
Sassa has released the payment dates for the rest of the year. They are as follow:
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.