Pensioner, 75, Says SASSA Cut Her Grant by More Than Half Without Explanation

SASSA older persons grant reduction, Digi Mart USA News (South Africa): Wilhelmina Gouws, 75, says the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cut her older persons grant by more than half, even though her circumstances have not changed since she first applied in 2012.

Gouws shared her story in the comments on The South African’s Facebook page. “At 75 years, they reduced my grant by more than half… nothing has changed since I applied in 2012, and I’m still within the required limit to qualify… at the moment, my grant is R1151 and not the R2420… They never even told me why they did this.

The adjustment to the lowered amount is still heavy on me…” she wrote.

At 75, Gouws falls into the higher age bracket. SASSA pays a maximum of R2,420 a month to older persons aged 75 and older, compared with R2,400 for those aged 60 to 74.

Her current payment of R1,151 leaves her R1,269 below the maximum.

SASSA approves reduced grants when an applicant’s income or assets sit above the full-grant level but below the cut-off. A reduction years into a grant usually follows a review, which may draw on updated bank, pension or property records.

Gouws’s main complaint centers on silence. She says SASSA never told her why the amount dropped.

SASSA must notify recipients in writing when it reduces or reviews a grant and must give reasons. Recipients who never received such a letter can request one at a SASSA office.

Gouws is not alone. Herman Nell, 70, wrote that he receives R508 a month and that his appeal has gone unanswered.

Ayanda Mhlophe Fuze said the amount at the pay point differed from what recipients expected: “When you get there isn’t R2400 they told us is R2220.” Belinda Ratcliffe reacted to the stories: “I would say South Africans are being screwed.”

Recipients in Gouws’s position should first request written reasons and the means test calculation SASSA used. They should then check that the agency relied on current, correct information about income, savings and assets.

If records are outdated, recipients can submit fresh proof, such as recent bank statements or a private pension letter, and ask for a review.

For Gouws, the adjustment still weighs heavily. A cut of this size affects food, medication and transport for the entire month.