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SASSA pensioners are questioning a long-standing rule that they may not earn more than R8 000 a month from other sources, such as family support or part-time work, to remain eligible for the Older Persons Grant.

You may not earn more than R8 000 a month from other sources to receive the Older Persons Grant, but how exactly do you record support from family members without triggering a review of your grant status?

For elderly beneficiaries who rely on children or grandchildren for financial support, there's often no clear guidance on how that support should be received or recorded without triggering a review of their grant status.

Beneficiaries receiving support from more than one source are also confused about how this is applied, with some questioning whether the real cut-off figure is lower than commonly understood.

Sunil Sivnarain’s comment, “It’s a challenge to have a slice of bread every day,” was a reminder that for many beneficiaries, the R8 000 threshold discussion is less about rules on paper and more about day-to-day survival on a fixed grant.

Multiple Income Sources Add to the Debate

Fanie Botes raised the issue of pensioners who may qualify for more than one form of income, commenting, “What about the people who received two pension every month, Sassa must also stop the grant.”

Netta January simply replied “5000,” suggesting some believe the real cut-off figure is lower than commonly understood.

Nemasetoni Charles questioned who ultimately benefits from strict income checks, asking, “Who benefits from those deductions me or the government?

For Myrna May, the issue is straightforward: “What I don’t understand is that they state you may not earn more than R8 000 per month to receive your Grant, so where must that money go if it can’t go into a bank account?”

And yet, despite the confusion, SASSA officials have remained tight-lipped on the matter, leaving many beneficiaries with more questions than answers.

As of now, there is no clear guidance on how additional income should be disclosed or managed to remain within the threshold.

Beneficiaries unsure whether extra income could affect their grant are encouraged to consult their nearest SASSA office directly before making any changes to their banking arrangements.