Finance Minister Enoch Godongwna announced that the Social Development department will receive R33 billion to continue paying the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, referred to as the R350 grant, until 31 March 2024.
They explained, “R66 billion is allocated to Social Development over the medium term, with R36 billion to fund the extension of the Covid-19 social relief of distress grant until 31 March 2024.”
While the government is committed to continue paying the SRD grant for the foreseeable future, the government is considering options to provide alternative social protection to individuals who currently benefit from the SRD grant.
Godongwana said, “In 2023/24, R400 million is allocated to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to administer it. Government is still considering alternative options to provide appropriate social protection for the working-age population that can replace or complement the current grant.”
In January, Sassa received over 13,5 million applications for the SRD grant. Of this number, between 7.4 million and 7.8 million clients are approved for payment monthly.
The minister also revealed that the government spent less money on the SRD grant during the twelve months. They explained this was largely due to the improved means testing for the grant.
Currently, to qualify for the SRD grant, a person must be unemployed, have an income of less than R624 per month, be between the ages of 18 and 59 years old and not be receiving any other government support. This government support includes funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) or payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
Applications for the SRD grant can be made on the Sassa SRD Website.
The amount received by SRD grant beneficiaries will remain at R350. All other permanent grants will be increased this coming year.
