The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, commonly known as the R370 grant, is a monthly financial assistance provided to unemployed South Africans who meet specific eligibility criteria. Administered by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), the grant has been a lifeline for millions since its inception.
The SRD grant, also referred to as the R370 due to its monetary value, has approximately 8 million beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of the grant have been R370 per month, since April 2024 since its R20 or 5.7% increase
How to Apply for the R370 Grant
To begin your September R370 grant application, visit the SRD grant website.
- Start by choosing your citizenship status at the bottom of the webpage. You can select either "South African ID Holder" or "Asylum Seeker/Special Permit Holder."
- Locate the yellow bar that says "Click here to apply online" under the relevant section ("How do I apply for this SRD Grant" or "Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders").
- Enter your mobile number and click "Send SMS." Then, enter the one-time pin (OTP) sent by Sassa to your phone for verification.
- Once verified, follow the steps on the website to finish your application.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the R370 grant, applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or special permit holders.
They should not be receiving other government support like Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits or National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursaries. Additionally, their bank account balance should be less than R624.
Future of the R370 Grant
Initially a temporary measure to support those affected by the Covid 19 lockdowns, the SRD grant has been extended until March 2025. The government has allocated R33.6 billion for the 2024 financial year and has made provisional allocations for the following two years, indicating a potential extension until March 2027.
