In order to apply for an Older Person’s Grant the applicant must:

• Be a South African citizen or a permanent resident
• Be resident in South Africa at the time of application
• Be 60 years or older
• If married, the spouse must comply with the means test
• Have a valid identity document or produce alternative identification

A person cannot apply for an Older Person’s Grant if:

1. They are living or being taken care of by any of the following institutions which are wholly funded by the state:
   • a prison
   • an old age home and state treatment centre
   • a psychiatric hospital
   • a drug rehabilitation centre

A person can still apply if they are in an institution which is partially funded by the state – however the grant would be reduced to 25%.

2. If the applicant is receiving another adult social grant, unless it is a Grant-in-Aid. (See: Grant-in-Aid)

Applicants for an Older Person’s Grant must have proof of the following before applying:

• A South African bar-coded identity document (to prove identity, citizenship and age)
• If single, an affidavit stating this fact
• Marriage certificate if the person is married
• Divorce papers if the person has been divorced
• Death certificate, if the husband or wife died
• If they are employed, a wage certificate
• If they are unemployed, any UIF record of registration, discharge certificate from the previous employer
• If they have a private pension, proof of the pension
• If they have a bank account, bring a bank statement of three consecutive months
• Proof of any other income and assets