Currently, the Sassa Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant stands at R350 per month. During the State of the Nation (SONA) address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the R350 grant would be extended and improved.
On Wednesday afternoon, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, took to the podium to deliver the 2024 Budget Speech. While many are hoping for a R350 grant increase, no announcement has been made, with Godongwana saying:
We have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows.
The Finance Minister went on to say that "work is currently underway to improve the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year ... these improvements will be in within the current fiscal framework".
National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations ... For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised.
The SRD grant has received a budgetary allocation of R33.6 billion for 2024/25, with provisional allocations for 2025/26 and 2026/27. This means that should the government see fit, the implementation of the grant would be extended until March 2027.
Department Proposes Changes To The SRD Grant
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has proposed to make amendments to the Regulations relating to the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. These amendments will see the implementation of the SRD grant, commonly referred to as the R350 grant, extended to 2025.
To prevent and recover funds from irregular payments, the new regulations empower the agency to reclaim monies from individuals who were not eligible or who benefited improperly from the grant.
The amendments also address the issue of uncollected benefits. Beneficiaries who do not update their personal and banking details within 90 days of notification risk having their Sassa grant application cancelled and funds forfeited to the State.
This provision emphasises the responsibility of applicants to ensure their contact information and banking details are current, facilitating the smooth processing and receipt of benefits.
For deceased beneficiaries, the grant will now only be paid until the end of the month in which the beneficiary died. This amendment was made to provide clarity and prevent undue payments.
A transitional provision has also been included to ensure uninterrupted assessments and payments. This means that Sassa may use data from the March 2024 assessment cycle for ongoing assessments until 31 May 2024 to ensure a seamless transition under the new regulations.
