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SASSA Means Test Checker

Quick eligibility check for South African social grants. Select your grant, enter your income and assets, and see whether you pass the 2026 means test thresholds.

Updated 11 May 2026 • By Thandi Mokoena • Fact-checked

Means Test Checker

2026 thresholds from SASSA

Which grant?

Pays: R2,400/mo (R2,420 if 75+)

Marital status

For married applicants, combined household income and assets count.

Monthly income R3 500

All sources: salary, business, rent, interest, pensions, other grants.

Total assets R150 000

Excluding primary residence and one daily-drive vehicle.

✓ Likely eligible

You meet the Older Persons Grant means test based on these figures. Apply at SASSA — the final decision is theirs.

Income test (annual) ✓ Pass

Yours: R42 000 · Threshold: R107 880

Asset test ✓ Pass

Yours: R150 000 · Threshold: R1 524 600

Means test thresholds as published by SASSA for 2026. SASSA verifies your income against SARS, UIF, NSFAS and major bank records. This checker is for estimation — only SASSA can make a binding decision.

All 2026 means test thresholds

Grant	Single income/year	Married income/year	Single asset cap	Married asset cap
Older Persons Grant	R107 880	R215 760	R1 524 600	R3 049 200
Disability Grant	R107 880	R215 760	R1 524 600	R3 049 200
Child Support Grant	R67 200	R134 400	—	—
Care Dependency Grant	R277 200	R554 400	—	—
SRD R370 Grant	R7 488	R7 488	—	—

What counts and what doesn't

Counts as income

· Salary, wages, business income
· Rental income
· Interest and dividends
· Maintenance received
· UIF benefits
· Other social grants (except Child Support)
· Retirement annuity / pension payouts

Counts as assets

· Investment property (not your primary home)
· Vehicles (above one daily-drive)
· Retirement-fund balances (pre-payout)
· Share portfolios and unit trusts
· Fixed deposits and savings accounts
· Business interests

SRD R370 is different

The SRD grant uses a much stricter income test of R624/month (about R7,500/year). SASSA also checks bank deposits — a single deposit above R624 in a given month can trigger a "means test failed" decline for that month, even if it's a refund or a transfer from family.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SASSA means test?+

SASSA assesses your income and (for some grants) your assets to decide whether you qualify. The thresholds change annually with the Budget. Most grants are means-tested; the Foster Child Grant is not.

What counts as income for SASSA?+

Any money you receive: salary, wages, business income, rental income, interest, dividends, maintenance payments, UIF, other social grants (except Child Support), pension payouts, NSFAS allowances. SASSA verifies against SARS and the major banks.

What counts as an asset?+

Property (excluding the primary residence you live in), vehicles, retirement-fund balances, share portfolios, fixed deposits and unit trusts. The car you drive daily and your primary home are excluded from the asset calculation.

I'm married out of community. Does my spouse's income count?+

For Older Persons and Disability Grants, both spouses' incomes are combined for the test, regardless of marital regime. SASSA uses the "married" thresholds even for ANC (out of community) marriages where the application is for one spouse.

Is the SRD R370 means test different?+

Yes — the SRD is much stricter. You must earn under R624 per month from any source (about R7,500/year). Any bank deposit above R624 in a given month can trigger a "means test failed" decline for that month, even if it's a refund or a gift.

I failed the means test. Can I appeal?+

Yes — within 90 days. Submit a reconsideration request at srd.sassa.gov.za with 3 months of bank statements showing income below the threshold. See our SASSA appeal guide for the process.

Hub

All SASSA guides

How to apply

If declined

Appeal a decision