The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) recently revealed that around 8 million individuals are currently benefiting from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The grant is commonly referred to as the R350 grant due to the amount of money received by its beneficiaries monthly.
To qualify for the SRD grant, a client must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or permanent refugee or asylum seeker. Applicants must also be unemployed, and be between the ages of 18 and 59-years old.
Applicants may not have an income of more than R624 to qualify for the SRD grant. When referring to the SRD grant, income refers to money an applicant has in their bank account.
If the applicant has money exceeding the income threshold set by Sassa, they may not be a resident in a government funded or subsidised institution, not receiving another grant or any other government support form the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
How To Apply For The R350 Grant For May 2023
There are two ways to apply for the R350 grant in 2023.
Option 1: Apply Online
Step 1 - Visit the SRD grant website
Step 2 - Click on 'click here to apply on online'
Step 3 - Enter you mobile phone number and click 'send SMS'
Step 4 - A One Time Pin (OTP) will be sent to the number you provided
Step 5 - Enter the OTP
Step 6 - Confirm and accept the Clauses in the Declaration and Consent documents
Step 7 - Enter your personal details
Step 8 - Provide your mobile number, employment information and lifestyle sustainability information
Step 9 - Provide your banking details
Step 10 - Follow the prompts to complete your application
Option 2: Apply on WhatsApp
Step 1 - Add Sassa on WhatsApp using this number - 082 046 8553
Step 2 - Send a message to the number - Careers Portal simply sent "SRD Grant"
Step 3 - Indicate if you applying for yourself (sending the number 1) or on behalf of someone else (sending the number 2)
Step 4 - Send a message with your name how it appears on your Identify document
Step 5 - Send a message with your surname how it appears on your Identify document
Step 6 - Read the terms and conditions. Once you have, respond YES if you accept the terms and conditions.
Step 7- Indicate whether you are a South African citizen (send the number 1) or a Permanent Resident (send the number 2) or a Refugee (send the number 3)
Step 8 - Click on the link sent to you in the WhatsApp chat
Step 9 - Confirm and accept the Clauses in the Declaration and Consent documents
Step 10 - Enter your ID number
Step 11 - Follow the prompts to complete your R350 grant application.
Once you have completed the steps listed above, Sassa will consider your application. You can check the status of your application using different methods.
Sassa plays a critical role in providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable members of South African society. Through various grants and social security programmes, Sassa ensures that people living in poverty, those with disabilities and older persons have access to a basic standard of living.
The agency continues to work closely with the government, civil society and other stakeholders to address the challenges it faces and to improve the quality and reach of its services.
Although there are challenges to be overcome, the agency's work is essential to building a more just and equitable society.
