SASSA has confirmed that R2,180 pension payments will be paid to qualifying senior citizens on 29 January as part of the updated social grant schedule. The old-age pension remains one of the most important forms of financial support for elderly South Africans, helping them meet essential daily needs such as food, transport, electricity, and medical care.
Updated Grant Payment Schedule Explained
SASSA uses a monthly payment calendar system to establish its payment schedule for distributing funds to beneficiaries. For January, pension payments will be released on January 29 along with other grant categories. The deposited funds in beneficiaries’ accounts and SASSA cards will remain accessible to them without needing immediate withdrawal. This helps reduce overcrowding at payment points.
Who Qualifies for the R2,180 Pension
The R2,180 pension amount applies to beneficiaries aged 60 to 74 years who meet SASSA’s eligibility criteria. Seniors aged 75 years and older receive a slightly higher monthly amount. The SASSA means test requires applicants to pass income and asset assessment, which verifies their financial status before they can apply for assistance. South African citizens and permanent residents and recognized refugees must pass the SASSA means test to qualify.
Additional Support Through Grant-in-Aid
Some pensioners may qualify for Grant-in-Aid, an extra monthly payment provided to beneficiaries who require full-time care due to physical or medical conditions. This support is available only to pensioners who already receive an old-age grant and have been medically assessed as needing assistance with daily activities.
Common Reasons for Delayed Payments
Most pension payments get processed without problems, but there are situations when payment delays occur. The main reasons for these problems include people using outdated banking information, their SASSA cards becoming expired or inactive, verification processes needing completion, and they have recently changed their income or personal details. Beneficiaries experiencing delays should check their grant status while they need to update their information without delay.
What to Do If Your Pension Is Missing
Beneficiaries should check their payment status through official SASSA channels after a pension payment fails to arrive on its scheduled date. The SASSA office should be visited or the SASSA helpline should be contacted when identification is available to solve this problem.
Safe Ways to Collect Your Pension
The SASSA organization advises pensioners to retrieve their grants through bank accounts or retail locations because this method eliminates the requirement to endure lengthy waits at ATM machines. Beneficiaries should never share their PINs, should count their money carefully, and should report any suspicious activity immediately.
Also Read: SASSA Confirms R7,500 Funeral Support For Beneficiaries Starting January 29