SASSA has expanded the ways in which you can apply for the Special Relief of Distress grant.
The agency checks every month whether you have received money in your bank account that month so see whether you qualify for the SRD grant that month or not.
On Twitter, the agency said:
You can also apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via https://govchat.app/login or Facebook messenger https://facebook.com/govchat.org
This means that all the channels open for you to apply for the R350 grant are as follows:
- Website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za
- WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
- USSD line: Dial *134*7737#
- GovChat: https://govchat.app/login\
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govchat.org
The easiest way is probably the Sassa online application route using the official Sassa website at srd.sassa.gov.za. They always use Sassa gov websites so always look for the .gov.za in the website address to make sure you are using the official website for applying for financial assistance.
SASSA implemented these new avenues for application due to the WhatsApp channel having technical difficulties and the SASSA SRD website being overwhelmed from applications and as a result saw it running slower.
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.
Applicants will also need to accept the declaration and consent.
The new process will now request the applicants to provide their banking details upfront, so that SASSA can process R350 grant payments as soon as they meet the criteria.
Applicants are urged to only submit one application and to keep an eye on their SASSA grant application status.
In order to access or to have the SASSA grant application considered 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.
Applicants will also need to accept the declaration and consent.
The new process will now request the applicants to provide their banking details upfront, so that SASSA can process R350 grant payments as soon as they meet the criteria.
It is not necessary to submit multiple SRD grant applications. Confirmation will be received as soon as the application has been successfully submitted.
Those individuals who applied for the grant in the previous round will have to re-apply. Clients who previously cancelled the grant, and who would like to re-activate the grant, due to a change in their circumstances are welcome to re-apply.
Zulu continued to say, "We encourage all applicants to conclude their applications when they start making the applications to avoid any technical challenges".
Click here to find out how to track your R350 grant application.
You can also apply for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant via https://t.co/ZH4boi1F4H or Facebook messenger https://t.co/GzV2gI6pXa #SASSACARES #Covid19SRDGrant @The_DSD @nda_rsa @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/QNd43YrwPF
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) August 6, 2021
Other SASSA Social Grants
The Sassa SRD Social Relief of Distress Grant is the most well-known of the social grants but there are other very useful grants for providing financial assistance either on a permanent basis or just temporary assistance.
These include the Child Support Grant, the Disability Grant and the Older Person's Grant. There are different elilgibility criteria for the different grants.
