SASSA SRD Requirements (Eligibility Criteria)

If you want to apply for the SASSA grant, you must comply with all the SRD requirements. To be eligible for the R350 (R370) grant, you should be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, permit holder, or asylum seeker, aged 18 to 60, earning below R370 per month, and not a beneficiary of other social grants. This article will cover the SRD eligibility requirements and the complete application process.

What is SASSA SRD Grant?

The SASSA SRD grant, originally called Covid-19 Social Relief Distress (SRD) grant, was introduced in May 2020 during the coronavirus period. Initially, the SRD grant was designed to provide financial aid to individuals affected by the lockdown. However, the South African government has extended the SRD grant until 2025. This means that even after the COVID-19 phase has passed, the government still aims to help financially weak residents with grant payments.

This grant is also famously known as the SRD R350, organized by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development (DSD). That said, this relief is temporary and provides financial support to only those who are eligible for it.

New SRD Requirements and Grant Amount in 2024:

Recently, some parts of the SASSA SRD regulations have changed. According to the new SRD requirements mentioned in the Gazette Notice, the R350 grant amount has increased to R370 after April 1, 2024.

Now, all new and existing recipients of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will receive 370 South African Rand instead of 350 as in the past. Moreover, the criteria for applying for the grant remain the same.

SASSA Caregiver Grant for Adults: Application Procedure 2025

Eligibility Criteria for The New SRD R370 Grants:

According to the new amendments in Act 13 of the Social Assistance Act 2004 about COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress, any person who meets the below-given criteria will be eligible to apply for the SRD R370 grant, previously known as the R350 grant. 

1. Financially Weak / Insufficient Income:

Applicants applying for the SRD R370 grants should be in need of temporary relief due to insufficient income or being unemployed. 

2. South African Citizen, Refugee, Asylum Seeker, Permanent Resident, or Holder of a Special Permit:

To be eligible for the grant, the applicant must be one of the following: 

1. South African Citizen
2. Permanent Resident
3. Refugee
4. Asylum Seeker with a Valid Section 22 Permit or Visa
5. Special Permit Holder under under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit Dispensation, or the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation.

This is to ensure that the individual holds a legal status in the country. 

3. Registered on DHF or SASSA’s Social Grant Database:

Applicants must be registered on the Department of Home Affairs. Those who don’t have an Identity Card (ID) needs to be registered on the SASSA database with a unique ID number. 

4. Between 18 to 60 Age 

The grant is only applicable to those who are under the 18 to 60 age bracket. 

5. South African Resident 

Applicants should be currently living under the borders of South Africa. Others can’t claim this grant. 

6. Not a Resident in Govt. Funded Institutes.  

Applicants must not be residents of government funded facilities like Orphanages, Care Homes, or Rehabilitation Centres; as they are already being taken care of.

7. Unemployment Criteria

The unemployed recipients must be open to work and actively seeking employment opportunities. If they refuse job offers without good cause, their applications will be declined. 

8. Less Than R350 Income Per Month

Applicants eligible for the SRD grant should have an income below R350 per month. With the new regulations, the SRD requirements have been updated to less than R370 in monthly income.

9.  Not Receiving Other Social Grants

Lastly, the applicants must also not be beneficiaries of other social grants such as NSFAS, UIF, DSD, or NCR.

Complete Application Procedure for SASSA SRD Grant?

Here are the complete process and SRD requirements for applying for the R370 grant in 2024:

1. Must Meet the Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the SRD R350 (or the latest R370) grant, you needs to comply with the eligibility criteria mentioned above. 

2. Submit the SRD Application on SASSA’s Website 

Once you’re eligible, you’ll need to apply for the Social Relief Distress (SRD) grant on the SASSA website. This is how you can do it:

1. Go to the official SASSA SRD website.
2. Scroll down to the South African ID Holders tab and select ‘Click Here to Proceed’.
3. Find the How do I apply for this SRD Grant section and tap on ‘Click Here to Apply Online’.
4. Enter your Phone Number, then click on ‘Send SMS’.
5. Type the OTP received on your phone number and tap on ‘Verify Pin’.
6. Read and Agree to Terms and Conditions for Declaration and Consent Document Rules and the You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant Document on the web portal. 
7. Provide your 13-digit South African ID (or Passport or Valid File), Surname, Name, Address, Gender, etc. 
8. Submit your Bank Details, such as Bank Name, Account Number, Branch Name, Account Type, and Agree to Terms and Conditions. 
9. Finally, press the ‘Submit’ button.

3. Get Confirmation SMS

After the submission of your SRD application, you’ll receive an SMS from SASSA confirming that they received it with a unique Application Number. 

4. Check Application Status Before 15th of Month

Next, you’ll need to check your SRD Application Status before the 15th of the following month. As per the regulations, SASSA must approve or reject your application within this timeframe. However, your document verification may take additional days, causing you to face a long pending status. 

5. Receive SMS on Application Decision from SASSA

SASSA will inform you about your application’s approval or rejection through SMS. So, it’s important to provide them with an active cellphone number. In case of a lost phone number, you must reconfirm your details. 

6. Submit an Appeal

You’ll receive a reason for application’s rejection. However, if you disagree with this decision, SASSA allows you to submit an appeal on the Department of Social Development (DSD) website. Check out this guide to know how to appeal for Declined SRD grants. 

Death of SRD the Beneficiary:

As per the Amendment Regulations Relating to COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress, 2024, the SRD grant will end on the month’s last date in which the beneficiary died.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Has SASSA R350 Grant Changed? 

Yes, the SASSA R350 grant has changed to R370 as of April 1, 2024. The rumors about the R350 grant increasing to R624 are fake. The SRD grant amount will remain at R370 until 2025. 

2. What Will Happen If I Take SRD Grant Without Being Entitled?

According to the new amendments, any person who takes an SRD grant without being entitled will have to repay SASSA the received relief amount. 

3. Why Do I Need To Update My Phone Number?

As per Gazette notice, SRD grants will be suspended if contact information is not updated, including the SRD lost phone number and primary number. As approved applicants won’t be able to respond back to SASSA. 

4. What Will Happens to the Uncollected Grants?

All the uncollected grant amounts will be returned to the South African state after 90 days of no response from the applicant to SASSA. 

5. What If I Receive Both SRD and Other Social Grants?

In that case your SRD Application will be cancelled, and the grant amount will be recovered by SASSA.