Can I apply for a loan while receiving a SASSA grant?

The long answer

Although SASSA itself does not give any loans at all, it has a website called SASSAloans.co.za. SASSA will give advice on loans and check whether you qualify for a loan.

You can apply for loans at Shoprite or Checkers if you are a pensioner or receiving a disability grant. SASSAloans.co.za says that you are eligible for what they call a SASSA loan if:

• You are a South African citizen.

• You are at least 18 years old.

• You have a valid Identity Document.

• You are earning a consistent income.

• You have a bank account in your name.

• You receive grants from SASSA, like Old Age Pension or Disability Grants.

SASSA says it will check your previous debts. If your debt-to-income ratio is according to their set limit, you can get the loan. The amount of loan you receive will be decided on based on your current source of income.

Although you can’t borrow money from SASSA itself, you can also use SASSA loans to borrow money from either Capitec Bank or Ithemba Bank. 

SASSA says that it provides easy loans with flexible instalments. They say that these loans have helped many people and are very beneficial for people in dire need of a loan. However, there are a variety of scammers scamming people in the name of SASSA, and SASSA says you should be very careful when signing up for any loan.

SASSA says that if you have a disability, you don’t have to go to a SASSA office to apply – you can do it through your mobile phone as follows:

• First, dial *130*3737*1# on your phone.

• Next, enter your ID number and click on the calls button.

• Then, you will get prompts to answer press one. They will get access to your credit check and bank statement.

• Then, for security reasons, you must provide them with the PIN you got at the ATM.

• Then, enter the total amount of your monthly expenses.

• Finally, you will get to choose the particular grant or loan you are looking for. You will also know if your application was approved or declined instantly.

If this USSD code is not working or you are having any issues, SASSA says you can dial *120*3210# or *120*69277# on your phone and follow the given prompts to get a SASSA loan through your phone.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie