SASSA Old Age Grant Affidavit Guide
Last updated: 14 April 2026
The Older Person's Grant (OAG) is a monthly social grant paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to South African citizens and permanent residents aged 60 and older who pass the means test. The grant amount is approximately R2 400 per month (R2 420 for those over 75). The affidavit — officially Annexure I-1 — is a sworn declaration that confirms your identity, marital status, income sources, and assets. It must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths (at a police station, magistrate court, or SASSA office) and submitted with your OAG application.
What documents do I need?
Gather these before you start. Missing or incomplete documents are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected.
- South African ID document (valid green ID book, Smart ID card, or temporary ID certificate confirming you are 60 years or older)
- Proof of residential address (utility bill, municipal account, affidavit confirming address, or tribal authority letter — not older than 3 months)
- Banking details (bank statement or bank-stamped letter confirming account number, not older than 3 months)
- Proof of income (pension statement, payslip, investment statements) or sworn statement declaring no income
- Marriage certificate (if married — required to assess combined household means test)
- Spouse's ID document (if married or in a civil/customary union)
- Death certificate of spouse (if widowed) or decree of divorce (if divorced)
Step 1: Gather your documents
Before completing the affidavit, collect your South African ID, proof of address, banking details, and any proof of income or assets. If married, bring your marriage certificate and spouse's ID. If widowed, bring the death certificate. If divorced, bring the decree of divorce.
Step 2: Fill in your personal details
Enter your full name, surname, South African ID number, age, residential address, and postal code. These must match your ID document exactly — any discrepancy will delay your application. You must be 60 years or older to qualify.
Step 3: Declare your marital status
Indicate whether you are married (in or out of community of property), in a civil or customary union, never married, divorced, widowed, or deserted. If married, provide your spouse's full name, surname, and ID number. Marital status determines which means test threshold applies.
Step 4: Provide missing document reasons
If you cannot provide your spouse's ID document, decree of divorce, or death certificate, state the reason in the appropriate box. SASSA requires an explanation for any missing supporting documents.
Step 5: Declare your income
For each type of income listed (salary, business profits, trust, property rights, pension, ex-gratia, rental, assets, international), mark whether it applies to you, your spouse, a dependant child, or is not applicable. Be truthful — SASSA may verify income through SARS and other databases.
Step 6: Declare your assets
Mark which assets you and/or your spouse own: immovable property, investments, shares, endowment policies, property rights, or lump sums. If neither owns any assets, mark the "No assets" column. Your total assets must be below R1 524 600 (single) or R3 049 200 (married) to qualify.
Step 7: Sign before a Commissioner of Oaths and submit
Take the completed affidavit to a Commissioner of Oaths at a police station, magistrate's court, or SASSA office. Sign in the commissioner's presence. Then submit the sworn affidavit and all supporting documents to your nearest SASSA office. Keep your receipt to follow up on your application.
What are common mistakes to avoid?
- Not signing the affidavit before a Commissioner of Oaths — an unsworn affidavit is invalid and SASSA will reject the application
- Providing incorrect or mismatched ID numbers — the applicant's ID number must be entered exactly as it appears on the original ID document
- Failing to declare all sources of income — SASSA cross-checks income against SARS, UIF, and pension fund records; undeclared income leads to grant cancellation and possible criminal charges
- Not declaring all assets — investments, property, shares, and endowment policies must all be disclosed; failure to declare assets is considered fraud
- Applying before reaching age 60 — the Older Person's Grant is only available from age 60; your ID number must confirm you have reached this age
- Submitting expired proof of address — utility bills or bank statements must be recent (within the last 3 months)
What tips will help my application succeed?
- Apply as soon as you turn 60 — the grant is only backdated to the date of application, not your birthday
- If you do not have a bank account, SASSA can pay via a SASSA gold card at a designated pay point — but a bank account is faster and safer
- Check your application status by calling the SASSA toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or visiting your local SASSA office with your receipt
- If your income or assets change after approval, report it to SASSA immediately — failure to do so may result in overpayment recovery
- The grant increases at age 75 (approximately R2 420/month versus R2 400/month for ages 60-74) — the increase is applied automatically
- Visit your SASSA office early in the morning to avoid long queues, and bring a pen — offices sometimes run out of stationery