The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) announced that nearly nine million people applied for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for October 2024. While many applications were approved, some applicants would not have been so lucky.
If your Sassa SRD application is unsuccessful, you can submit a Sassa appeal to have your appeal reconsidered and you can then check your Sassa status to keep up with the progress of your SRD appeal.
Who Qualifies for the R370 Grant?
To qualify for the R370 grant, individuals must be between 18 and 59 years old and must be unemployed. R370 grant beneficiaries may receive any other government financial assistance, including NSFAS bursaries, UIF benefits, or other Sassa grants.
However, your application will be rejected if your income exceeds the threshold. For the R370 grant, "income" refers to the money in your bank account. The current income limit is R624.
How to Submit an SRD Grant Appeal
If your application was rejected but you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, you have the right to appeal Sassa’s decision. Appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).
The ITSAA reviews Sassa’s decisions and can uphold, modify, or overturn them after consulting with a civil society member. Under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), the ITSAA has 90 days to make a decision on appeals.
How to Check Your SRD Grant Appeal Status
If you’ve submitted an appeal, you can check the status to see if the ITSAA has upheld or overturned Sassa’s decision. Here’s how:
- Visit the Sassa Appeals Website: Go to the official Sassa appeals site.
- Enter Your Information: Provide your ID number and cell phone number.
- Track Your Appeal: Click "Track Appeal."
The tribunal will inform you of your appeal status electronically within 60 to 90 days of submission. Although the tribunal’s decision is final, you can challenge it in the High Court within 180 days if needed.
