New Income Level Enforcement. There was one notable change regarding SASSA functioning that would affect millions of grant recipients. If it is after 15 August 2025, the social grants shall stop being given to any household earning more than R8,070 per month in the case of a single person or R16,140 in the case of those married.
This has been applicable for Elderly Persons and Disability Grants, but in the recent past, the condition has been strongly enforced so that it may properly reach those who need it. With the powers recently bestowed upon SASSA’s verification system linked to banks, credit bureaus, and government databases, households that ought not to have been excused can automatically lead to suspending them.
Why Was the Change Made?
Fraud had to be prevented and the sustainability of SASSA at stake; hence the introduction of greater stringency. The institute is also under pressure to disburse the funds effectively, as a bigger part of the R284.7 billion budget for 2025/26 is to be distributed to nearly 28 million beneficiaries.
About 210,000 beneficiaries were then flagged by income checks for nondisclosure of income, and enforcement measures were put in place in terms of biometric verification and live income checks. Inflation, these days, is eating away anything that ever stood out to raise an underprivileged consumer. So the treasury is also renewing its repeated calls to clamp down on rampant leakage; grocery shopping for a family of four is at least R4,000, while rent also consumes about R4,000.
Effects on Grant Holders
The amount of R8 070 income limit applies to unpaid grants such as Child Support, Older Persons, and Disability Grants. For example, an Older Persons Grant may be suspended when a grant holder earns household income above the threshold: R2,310 for ages 60–74, and R2,330 for individuals of age 75 and above.
Thrusting this to emphasize an assets-type limit, for example, single applicants with assets in excess of R1,372,800 shall have their disqualification declared, and partners between whose names assets exceed R2,745,600 shall lose the grant eligibility. Grant holders involving multigrants will face more stringent income inspections. To avoid punitive measures, beneficiaries are required to update their information.
The grant is subject to maintenance.
Beneficiaries keep the grant by confirming their income status on the portal. If flagged, 30 days will be provided for appeal, with supporting documentation being a bank statement or a letter stipulating unemployment status.
The method of online appeal is much quicker as compared to physically showing up at the closest SASSA office. Should they not respond before the 15th of August, they shall have their payments stopped without any form of compensation. Matlou, the CEO of SASSA, released a complaint asking for the cooperation of the beneficiaries, adding that self-service platforms are now in development to aid them.
Also read : South Africa’s Solar Energy Grant 2025: Empowering a Sustainable Future
