Between glorious moments of the sun setting in the west and sun rising in the east, the human mind often drifts towards the fall of those days. The Old Age Grant is one of the more crucial social security schemes in South Africa to provide support to the elderly needing assistance whose incomes are no longer regular. With issues in October 2025 still lingering, most pensioners inquire about payment dates, payment amounts, and eligibility criteria; this grant.
What Is the Old Age Grant?
The Older Persons’ Grant, or state pension, is administered by the South African Social Security Agency to individuals of older age who meet service requirements. The grant is meant to assist the aged in the provision of their basic needs, such as food, utilities, and medical requirements, with their ever-rising cost of living. Through this grant, the government intervenes to protect vulnerable groups and preserve dignity for the aged.
Payment Days for October 2025
SASSA payment dates traditionally have been put forward so that the public would not have to stand in long queues or face unnecessary delays. Moving into the month of October in 2025, payment of the Old Age Grant will occur on Thursday, the 2nd of October.Money can be disbursed to the beneficiary by:
- Deposits into their respective bank accounts; or
- By way of their SASSA cards that may be used at ATM kiosks and retail outlets; or
- Cash payout at designated paypoints within rural areas.
- SASSA also reminded the pensioners that they should not feel pressured to rush to cash in their grant on the very first day because the money is valid within the accounts until it is finally withdrawn.
Old Age Grant Amounts in 2025
In an attempt to keep pace with inflation, the amounts were adjusted in April 2025. Presently payable Old Age Grant amounts per month are:
- For pensioners between the ages of 60 and 74 years, R2,315 per month;
- For pensioners 75 years and above, R2,335 per month.
- The small difference accommodates additional requirements of older pensioners in respect of their medical and caring needs.
Qualification for the Old-Age Grant
The grant is not automatically awarded to every South African. The person applying for the grant has to fulfill some or all of the below-mentioned criteria:
- Basic Eligibility: The person should be a South African citizen or should hold permanent residence or refugee status.
- The person is 60 years and above.
- The person has been staying in South Africa for at least the past two years.
- Financial Means Test: Applicants must pass the test from SASSA to be aided as this means test is conducted to discriminate between those able to fend for themselves and those who do need financial aid. For 2025:
- Single applicants shall have an income not exceeding R96,840 per annum (R8,070 per month).
- For married applicants, the combined income should not exceed R193,680 per annum.
- Applicants’ assets should stand at a maximum of R1,372,800 if single, and R2,745,600 if married.
- Applicants shall not be receiving any other social grant from the State except a Child Support Grant.
How to Apply
The application consists of going to the nearest SASSA office with all eligible senior citizens and submitting:
- One’s South African ID.
- Proof of income and assets.
- Proof of marital status, if applicable,
- Application forms filled in by both the applicant and an official.
also read : Unemployed Citizens Relief Fund 2025 – Who Qualifies and How to Apply