How much must you earn to qualify for a SASSA grant?

It depends on the grant type. For old age and disability grants, a single person must earn less than about R8,990 per month (R107,880 per year). For child support, the caregiver must earn less than R5,400 per month. For the SRD grant, you must earn less than R624 per month.

What counts as income for the SASSA means test?

Income includes salary or wages, pension from a previous employer, rental income, interest from savings or investments, money from a trust, maintenance payments, and income from informal work. Other SASSA grants you receive do not count as income for the means test.

What counts as assets for the SASSA means test?

Assets include property (excluding the home you live in), savings and investments, vehicles, livestock, and business assets. The home you live in is excluded from the asset calculation, but a second property would count.

SASSA Means Test 2026: Income & Asset Limits for Each Grant

Q: What is the SASSA means test?

The SASSA means test is a financial assessment that checks whether your income and assets are below certain thresholds. If you earn too much money or own too many assets, you will not qualify for a SASSA grant. Each grant type has different thresholds.

Q: Does the means test apply to married couples?

Yes. For married couples, SASSA looks at the combined income and assets of both spouses. The thresholds for married couples are roughly double the single person thresholds. For example, for old age, a married couple must earn less than about R17,980 per month combined.

Updated on 17 March 2026

The means test is how SASSA decides if you qualify for a grant based on your finances. If your income or assets are above the limit, your application will be declined. This page explains the means test in plain language, with the exact thresholds for every grant type in 2026, so you can check whether you qualify before you apply.

On this page

What is the means test?
Income limits by grant type
Asset limits by grant type
What counts as income
What counts as assets
Married couples and people living together
Common mistakes that cause rejection
Frequently asked questions

What Is the SASSA Means Test?

The means test is a financial assessment that SASSA uses to determine whether you are eligible for a social grant. It looks at two things:

Your income: How much money you earn or receive each month from all sources.
Your assets: The total value of property, savings, investments, and other valuables you own.

If your income is below the income threshold and your assets are below the asset threshold, you pass the means test and may qualify for the grant. If either your income or your assets exceed the limit, your application will be declined.

The means test applies to most SASSA grants, including the old age pension, disability grant, and care dependency grant. The child support grant and SRD R370 grant use simplified income tests with different rules.

Income Limits by Grant Type (2026)

The table below shows the maximum income you can earn and still qualify for each SASSA grant. These are approximate figures based on the latest available thresholds:

Grant Type	Single Person (per month)	Married Couple (combined, per month)
Old Age (60+)	~R8,990	~R17,980
Disability	~R8,990	~R17,980
Care Dependency	~R8,990	~R17,980
War Veterans	~R8,990	~R17,980
Child Support	~R5,400	~R10,800
Foster Care	No means test (court-ordered placement)
SRD R370	R624	Individual assessment only

Note: These thresholds are reviewed annually and may change slightly. The figures above are based on the most recent published guidelines. Always confirm with SASSA when you apply.

Asset Limits by Grant Type (2026)

In addition to income, SASSA also checks the value of your assets. Here are the approximate asset limits:

Grant Type	Single Person	Married Couple (combined)
Old Age (60+)	~R1,524,000	~R3,049,000
Disability	~R1,524,000	~R3,049,000
Care Dependency	~R1,524,000	~R3,049,000
War Veterans	~R1,524,000	~R3,049,000
Child Support	No formal asset test (income test only)
Foster Care	No means test
SRD R370	No formal asset test (income-based verification)

What Counts as Income?

SASSA considers a wide range of income sources when applying the means test. Understanding what counts can help you avoid surprises when your application is assessed.

Income that counts

Salary or wages: Any formal or informal employment income, including part-time and casual work
Pension from a former employer: Private pension or retirement annuity payments
Rental income: Money received from renting out property
Interest and dividends: Earnings from savings accounts, fixed deposits, or investments
Income from a trust: Any payments received from a family or other trust
Maintenance payments: Spousal or child maintenance received
Money from informal work: Street trading, piece jobs, selling goods, etc.
Money received from family members: Regular financial support from children or relatives (this is assessed case by case)

Income that does NOT count

Other SASSA grants: If you receive a child support grant, it does not count as income when applying for the old age grant
Once-off gifts: A once-off birthday or holiday gift is generally not counted as regular income
Insurance payouts: A once-off insurance claim payout is typically not counted

When you apply, bring your latest 3 months of bank statements. SASSA will check your account activity to verify your declared income. If your statements show deposits that you did not declare, your application could be declined or your existing grant could be suspended.

What Counts as Assets?

Assets are the valuable things you own. SASSA looks at the total value of your assets to determine if you are within the threshold.

Assets that count

Property: Any property you own other than the home you live in. A second house, vacant land, or commercial property all count.
Savings and investments: Money in bank accounts, fixed deposits, unit trusts, shares, or any other investment.
Vehicles: Cars, bakkies, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles. The market value is used.
Livestock: Cattle, goats, sheep, and other farm animals.
Business assets: Equipment, stock, or other assets owned by a business you run.
Policies: The surrender value of life insurance or endowment policies.

Assets that do NOT count

Your primary home: The house or flat you live in is excluded from the asset calculation
Basic household goods: Furniture, clothing, appliances, and personal items are not counted
Tools of trade: Equipment you need for your work (e.g., a sewing machine if you are a seamstress)

Married Couples and People Living Together

If you are married (legally or by customary law), SASSA combines the income and assets of both spouses for the means test. The thresholds for married couples are roughly double the single-person thresholds.

Key points for married couples

Both spouses' income is added together and compared to the married threshold
Both spouses' assets are combined
If one spouse earns a high salary, it can disqualify the other from receiving a grant
If you are divorced, only your own income and assets are assessed
If your spouse has passed away, you are assessed as a single person (bring the death certificate)

Living together but not married

If you live with a partner but are not legally married, SASSA may still consider your household circumstances. However, each person is generally assessed individually. Be honest about your living situation, as SASSA may verify your circumstances during a home visit or review.

Special Cases

SRD R370 grant

The SRD grant uses a different and simpler assessment. You must earn less than R624 per month from any source. SASSA verifies this by checking databases from SARS, UIF, NSFAS, and banks. There is no formal asset test, but if you have significant bank activity, it may indicate that your income exceeds the threshold. See the SRD Application Guide for more details.

Child support grant

The child support grant uses an income test based on the caregiver's income. If you are single, you must earn less than about R5,400 per month. If you are married, the combined household income must be below about R10,800 per month. There is no formal asset test for the child support grant. See the Child Support Grant page for full eligibility details.

Foster care grant

The foster care grant does not have a means test. It is based on a court order placing a child in your care. If the court has granted a foster care order, you qualify regardless of your income or assets.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection

Many SASSA applications are declined because of avoidable errors related to the means test. Here are the most common mistakes:

Not declaring all income: If SASSA finds income in your bank statements that you did not declare, your application will be declined. Be honest about all sources of money.
Spouse's income not considered: If you are married, remember that your spouse's income counts too. Many applicants forget this and are surprised when they are declined.
Not bringing bank statements: SASSA needs recent bank statements (3 months) to verify your income. Not having them delays your application.
Property in your name: If you inherited property or have land in your name that you forgot about, it counts as an asset. Check what is registered in your name at the Deeds Office.
Receiving UIF or NSFAS: For the SRD grant, receiving UIF or NSFAS payments disqualifies you automatically. Make sure any previous UIF claims have been closed.
Not updating SASSA after changes: If your income or circumstances change after you start receiving a grant, you must notify SASSA. If they discover changes during a review, your grant may be suspended.
Applying for the wrong grant: If your income is above the SRD limit (R624) but below the old age limit (R8,990), you might qualify for the old age or disability grant but not the SRD. Make sure you apply for the right one.

What to Do If Your Application Is Declined

If SASSA declines your application because of the means test, you have options:

Request the reason: Ask SASSA for the specific reason your application was declined. They must provide this in writing.
Check the numbers: Review your income and assets carefully. If SASSA made a calculation error, you can point this out.
Appeal: You have 90 days to appeal a declined application. See our Appeals Guide for step-by-step instructions.
Reapply: If your circumstances change (e.g., you lose your job or your income decreases), you can submit a new application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much must you earn to qualify for a SASSA grant?: It depends on the grant. For old age and disability, a single person must earn less than about R8,990/month. For child support, less than R5,400/month. For SRD, less than R624/month.
What is the SASSA means test?: The means test checks your income and assets to decide if you qualify for a grant. If you earn too much or own too many assets, you will not qualify. Each grant type has different limits.
Does my spouse's income affect my SASSA application?: Yes, if you are legally married. SASSA combines both spouses' income and assets and compares them to the married couple thresholds, which are roughly double the single person limits.
Does my house count as an asset for the means test?: No. The home you live in is excluded from the asset calculation. However, if you own a second property or investment property, that does count as an asset.
Do other SASSA grants count as income?: No. SASSA grants you already receive are not counted as income when you apply for another grant. For example, a child support grant does not count as income when applying for the old age pension.

Related SASSA Pages

Disclaimer: We are not associated with SASSA in any way. We provide independent information to help you. For official info visit www.sassa.gov.za or call the toll-free line 0800 60 10 11 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

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