The Black Sash urges all needy men who have turned 60 to apply for a state pension or older person’s grant following an enactment of legislation on 1 April.
Women have always been able to apply for the monthly grant when they reach the age of 60 but up until a few years ago, men were only eligible when they turned 65.
The Black Sash urges all needy men who have turned 60 to apply for a state pension or older person’s grant following an enactment of legislation on 1 April.
Women have always been able to apply for the monthly grant when they reach the age of 60 but up until a few years ago, men were only eligible when they turned 65.
The age of eligibility has been gradually lowered over the last two years but this is the first year that it has been equalised with women.
Black Sash Advocacy Programme Manager, Ratula Beukman, says it is an historic moment for the organisation that has fought tirelessly for many years to secure equal pension rights for men.
“It will bring much needed relief to tens of thousands of senior citizens who have waited a very long time to realise their Constitutional right to social assistance and protection.
It is especially good news in the current context of rising food, petrol and the prices of other basic commodities.”
From 1 April, the maximum amount of the older person’s grant is R1 080 per month. But this is calculated on a sliding scale, so that the more you earn, the less you get of the grant.
For example, single beneficiaries who receive a regular monthly income of R648 or less, will receive the full grant of R1 080 – but if they earn R808 a month, the grant amount will be reduced to R1 000 a month.
Vulnerable elderly men can apply for the grant by filling n an application form at their nearest Social Security Agency (Sassa) office.
They don’t need to pay anything to apply. Vulnerable elderlypeople can now apply for the state pension even if they don’t have a bar-coded ID book or birth certificate.
All they need is a sworn statement signed by a reputable person like a counsellor, traditional leader, social worker, priest or school principal who can verify that he/she knows them and can testify to details such as their name and age.
All applicants are also entitled to receive Social Relief of Distress (SRD) while they wait for their approved application to be processed.
But any SRD payments received will be deducted from their grant money when it gets paid. The Black Sash appeals to anyone who is having difficulty applying for the grant to contact our national helpline on 072 663 3739 for free paralegal support and advice.
