If someone is paying me back for a loan, should I declare it as income when I apply for a social grant?

The long answer

As far as the repayments on a loan you made to someone go, I would say that those repayments would be regarded as income by SASSA, to be included in the means test. This is because SASSA says that the following will be considered income:

• Getting money from a private pension grant

• Getting money from any business or farming work

• Getting financial help from friends or relatives (my emphasis)

• Earning money by renting out a portion of your house

• Maintenance payments for your child from an ex-spouse

• Getting money from your job

• Renting out a property you own

• Compensation from other sources like UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund), RAF (Road Accident Fund), or COIDA (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Fund).

I would say that the repayments would be covered by the third item in the above list: Getting financial help from friends or relatives.

SASSA says that when you are calculating your salary for the means test, you’re permitted to subtract the following expenses:

• UIF payments

• Medical aid expenses

• Income tax that you’re paying

• Contributions to a retirement plan, such as your retirement annuity or a pension fund.

Assets can be the value of any property that you own, excluding the house that you live in, which is not counted as an asset. Assets can also be cash in the bank or investments like shares or unit trust funds.

At the time of writing, we could not find official communications on the income and asset brackets for 2025/26 social grants.

These are what SASSA considers assets:

• Cash in the bank or any account with a bank or building society.

• The value of a house or land that you or your spouse own. If the property has a bond registered over it, it is regarded as having a nil value.

• A home that you own is not counted as an asset if you live in it.

• Investments like shares, retirement annuities if retired.

SASSA works out the amount of the pension by using a sliding scale, whereby the closer you get to the maximum allowed income, the less pension you will receive. If your circumstances change, for example if the debt you were owed has been fully repaid, you should let SASSA know. 

From 1 April in 2025, the maximum monthly old age grant amount in South Africa is R2,315.

You can contact SASSA at their toll-free number: 0800 60 10 11 or email SASSA at GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie