Social relief of distress is a temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in dire material need that they are unable to meet theirs or their dependant’s most basic needs. New additions have been made to the new round of social relief of distress grant that will be expiring in March 2022.
Social Relief of Distress is paid to South African citizens or permanent residents, who have insufficient means and meet one or more of the following criteria:
- A South African Citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee registered on the Home Affairs database and persons who are holders of special permits under the Special Angolan Dispensation.
- The Lesotho Exemption Permit dispensation and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation, and asylum seekers whose section 22 permits or visas are valid.
- Currently residing within the borders of the Republic of South Africa
- If you are above the age of 18 and below the age of 60.
- You must be Unemployed.
- not receiving an unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive an unemployment insurance benefit
- Not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other financial aid.
- Not receiving any other government COVID-19 response support.
- If you are not a resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.
- Care givers who are not receiving any grant on their own behalf will also have to apply for the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant.
It is also recommended that, in order to access or to have the application reconsidered for the Social Relief of Distress Grant, an applicant must grant consent for SASSA to verify his or her identity.
Residency, income, or social security benefits with any other institution deemed necessary by SASSA will also be verified.
For more information about the new R350 grant, please check on the following link: https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-lindiwe-zulu-re-introduction-special-covid-19-srd-grant-4-aug-2021-0000
