The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) introduced the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant to provide relief to individuals over the age of 18, who do not have a source of income nor supported by the state.
On Thursday 29 April, SASSA announced that the R350 grant would come to an end on 30 April 2021.
According to the statement released, the organisation will no longer accept new applications for this grant.
However, those who have been approved for the grant and have not yet received payment will still get paid.
SASSA stated that those who were not approved for the grant between February and April in 2021, still have the opportunity to lodge an appeal on their website.
“If the appeal is not lodged, the declined application will not be reconsidered. The appeal period closes on 31 May 2021. No appeals will be accepted after this date,” announced Sassa.
The termination of this grant has caused an uproar among many organisations, including Black Sash and #PayTheGrants.
These groups organised a protest where they demanded the extension of this grant as many South Africans continue to feel the negative impact of the pandemic.
Click here to lodge an appeal for the R350 grant.
The R350 grant is coming to an end tomorrow.#SASSACARES pic.twitter.com/AOdID0RoFN
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) April 29, 2021