More than 17 million people submitted Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant applications for September 2024. This is 3 million more SRD grant applications than the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) received in since April 2022.
SASSA wishes to clarify that the figure of 17 million applications represents the cumulative number of applications received since the last major application process in April 2022.
As of May 2024, the total number of clients for this specific grant has reached 17 million. SASSA evaluates all applications on a monthly basis, meaning that all valid applications from previous months are also considered. The Agency advises clients not to re-apply each month.
Sassa’s spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi says the spike in SRD grant applications received by the agency is not a cause for concern. They explain that data indicated that only around 10 million people living in the country qualify for the grant.
Letsatsi explains that not every application submitted for an R370 grant payment will be approved. According to the spokesperson, many applicants are just attempting to get a grant payment even though they do not meet the eligibility criteria for the grant.
I need to clarify quickly that an application does not mean approval. We have noticed in the past few months that there are chancers [and] fraudsters.
However, Letsatsi stresses that the SRD grant verification process must be completed for each grant application as this will ensure that deserving individuals receive R370 grant payments.
Over the past months, we know that there will be 14 million people who apply but only 12 or 11 million people will qualify to get the R370 Grant.
Spike In SRD Grant Applications Attributed To SA Unemployment
Independent analyst Khaya Sithole says the SRD grant is a source of income for many people in the country.
It obviously reflects the reality of just how many people have become reliant on this grant as a form of some income assistance and obviously, this is reflective of a longer-term pattern of people being unable to easily transition into the pathways of economic activity on their own.
Sithole explained that many South Africans, particularly young adults, find themselves in a difficult position after ageing out of child support grants but before reaching the age of eligibility for old-age pensions. The pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, as many individuals could not find formal employment or rely on informal work due to lockdown restrictions.
The SRD grant offers these individuals much-needed support.
Sithole adds that by providing financial assistance, the government aims to alleviate poverty and improve the overall well-being of vulnerable South Africans.
When the grant was introduced, became the type of audience that we paid a new eye to a new form of attention to and we then said look we acknowledge that there these individuals who are essentially in an economic limbo.
Sassa Defends SRD Grant Security Measures
Sassa has received criticism regarding its administration of the SRD grant with some civil groups warning that the agency’s policies are exclusionary. The introduction of a facial recognition verification check also sparked concern.
Lesatsi explained the rollout of facial recognition checks when beneficiaries wanted to update contact information was to prevent fraud.
Criminals could potentially misuse the personal information of grant beneficiaries. By changing the beneficiary's registered cellphone number, criminals might be able to redirect the grant payments to their accounts, effectively stealing the funds intended for the legitimate beneficiary.
We got pushback from the public because we said it's important for people to do facial recognition if they want to change their cell numbers.
Letsatsi adds that Sassa will roll out machines people can use at Sassa offices if they do not have a cellphone that allows them to complete the facial recognition checks.
Unfortunately, people said but we don't have smartphones but we said it's important for us then to roll out the machines in our offices so that people if they don't have access to the smartphones, can come to our offices and do the facial recognition.
This article was updated on 8 October 2024 to reflect that "SASSA wishes to clarify that the figure of 17 million applications represents the cumulative number of applications received since the last major application process in April 2022"