Sassa grant payouts suspended for pensioners with ‘additional income’

LOCAL councillors and parliamentarians have been inundated with pleas for assistance from pensioners after their monthly South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) old age grants was suspended from June, due to some having “other sources of income”. 

They said while it was important to ensure that people were not abusing the grant system, with the rising costs of living and a monthly grant of R2 310, pensioners should not be penalised for any additional income which assisted with their expenses.

The old age grant for July is expected to be paid today (Wednesday).

Niel Patchapen, an African Democratic Change councillor in eThekwini, said he had been contacted by several elderly residents who were devastated after their grants were suspended.

He said they did not receive their payouts in June and now feared July’s payment would not be honoured.

“These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society; pensioners who rely on their monthly grant for food, medication and basic survival. For many, it’s their only source of income.

"It is completely reckless and heartless for the government to cancel grants simply because their children deposited money to help with groceries, or because the elderly person is trying to survive through a small informal business like selling food or vegetables. These aren’t signs of wealth, but one of desperation.

“The government’s response is punitive and devoid of compassion. Instead of supporting the elderly, they are punishing them for the kindness of family or for trying to live with dignity. This approach shows a disturbing lack of understanding about the reality on the ground,” he said.

Patchapen said the government must urgently review the process.

“No grant should be stopped without a proper investigation and direct engagement with the person affected. I call on Sassa and the Department of Social Development to stop this injustice and immediately reinstate grants that were unfairly suspended.”

Alicia Kissoon, DA ward 23 councillor, said the social grant system was not simply a financial tool, but a survival mechanism for millions, especially pensioners.

“I have received numerous complaints from elderly residents who are in distress after their grants were suspended without proper notice or clear communication from Sassa. In many cases, the grant holder was penalised for receiving a once-off deposit from a family member or for earning a marginal income from something as basic as a home-run food business. These are not fraudulent beneficiaries but many are desperate South Africans trying to survive under impossible economic conditions.

“While we must uphold the integrity of the grant system,  this cannot be done by penalising grandmothers who are feeding orphaned grandchildren or pensioners earning R500 to stay afloat. The system must differentiate between organised fraud and vulnerable citizens doing what they can to live with dignity,” she said.

Kissoon added that the DA had consistently called for balance between fraud prevention and humanity.

“I urge Sassa to implement a far more compassionate and transparent review mechanism, supported by proper public education. We cannot have pensioners standing in queues for hours, confused about why their lifeline have been cut-off. In addition, if the Department of Social Development is serious about protecting the system, it must start by respecting the people who depend on it most,” she said.

Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, leader of the Minority Front, said grants should not be stopped as per the Bill of Rights, specifically Section 27, which guarantees the right to access healthcare services, sufficient food and water, and social security, including appropriate social assistance for those unable to support themselves.

“In addition, I do not believe the suspension is fair given the current World Bank daily poverty threshold of US$6.85/ day or R130/day which isR3 900 per month, yet the Sassa old age grant is only R 2 310.”

Thakur-Rajbansi said the government needed to implement the Comprehensive Social Security Framework and Older Persons Act 2006.

“These will protect, promote and maintain the status, rights, well-being and security of older persons. The Act also addresses services, residential facilities, community based- care and abuse of older persons.”

Visvin Reddy, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member of parliament, said: “There is no question that our senior citizens deserve to be supported with dignity. The State pension grant is a critical lifeline for millions of elderly South Africans.”

He said, however, that the current grant amount was “far too low” when compared to the real cost of living as food prices, electricity, and water costs have all skyrocketed.

“The reality is that many elderly people are forced to rely on small contributions from their children or family members just to survive. Penalising them for this small, compassionate help is not only unfair but also deeply unjust. These contributions are not stable sources of income; they are occasional gestures of love and support, and should never disqualify a senior from receiving their rightful grant. In addition, last month, it was revealed that around 65 000 so-called ‘ghost’ grant recipients were draining approximately R125 million from the public purse. This is the real crisis –fraudulent claims and systemic abuse of the system, not small family gifts to our elders,” he said.

“The current amount simply does not reflect the basic needs of a pensioner who has no other means. But this increase cannot be realised while fraudsters continue to milk the system. We need to focus resources on rooting out fraud and ensuring that genuine beneficiaries receive more support.

“We believe that the government should not stop grants because of small family support. Instead, it should strengthen the system to detect real abuse and simultaneously increase the grant amount to a level that upholds the dignity of our elderly citizens,” he said.

Les Govender, the deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, said he “firmly believed” that the current amount that was paid to grant recipients was not sufficient for them to make ends meet and lead dignified lives. He said he had also received several calls from pensioners whose grants were suspended.

“If pensioners are receiving financial support from their children, I do not believe that it should affect the payment of grants to them, after all it is incumbent upon children to care for their elderly parents.

“In addition, in the Means Test done during an application, Sassa needs to take into account the rising cost of living and realise that the grant is the only source of income for many of our senior citizens,” he said.

Govender said he had since had discussions with senior Sassa officials regarding the review process.

“I want to assure grant recipients that their grants will not be affected in any way. What Sassa is doing is updating their records since many of their clients could have changed residence, changed contact details or their financial circumstances could  have changed. This process will also assist in rooting out illegal grant recipients who are defrauding the government. Legal grant recipients should have no fear of having their grants stopped,” he said.

Paseka Letsatsi, spokesperson for Sassa, said in collaboration with a registered Credit Bureaus, had identified about  210 000 social grant beneficiaries who appeared to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed.

He said in accordance with the Social Assistance Act and its regulations, beneficiaries were legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application.

“They are also obligated to inform Sassa of any changes to their financial  circumstances after their application has been approved. Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the Act and may result in corrective action.”

Letsatsi said as part of this initiative, social grant payments for the affected beneficiaries were delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle.

“These individuals were required to present themselves at their nearest Sassa offices for a grant review within 30 days from the notice date, in line with Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act. Beneficiaries who failed to comply with this process risked having their grants suspended. In addition, continued non-compliance may lead to the permanent lapsing of their grants.”

He added the initiative was aimed at ensuring that beneficiaries confirm any changes in the financial circumstances of the beneficiaries and for them to update their personal details.

“It also seeks to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system. A beneficiary may have qualified for a grant at the time of application, but improved material conditions over time may render them ineligible,” he said.

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