The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) introduced the Special R350 COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant to provide relief to individuals over the age of 18, who had lost their jobs or could not find jobs due to Covid-19.
The grant was introduced in April 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and has since came to an end on 30 April 2021.
The applications for this grant have also closed but SASSA has 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.
Originally SASSA said that appeals would close on 30 April however they have now extended the appeals deadline to 31 May 2021.
“If the appeal is not lodged, the declined application will not be reconsidered," SASSA said, adding that no appeals will be accepted after the 31st of May.
Click here to lodge an appeal for the R350 SRD grant
How To Send Your Appeal
- Go to the SRD Grant website
- Scroll down to 'Application for reconsideration'
- Click on the yellow bar
- Fill in the required fields
When lodging an appeal, applicants are requested to provide reasons why they think the SASSA decision was incorrect or provide motivation when lodging their complaints.
All appeals will be considered and appellants will be provided with feedback. All appeals will be treated fairly and transparently to ensure a high standard of administrative justice is maintained in the administration of grants.
The outcome of the appeal will be relayed through an SMS to applicants.
How To Track Your Appeal
- Go to the SRD Grant website
- Scroll down to 'Application for reconsideration'
- Click on the yellow bar
- Fill in the required fields
- You will now be able to view your information
Those who have been approved for the R350 SRD grant but have not yet received payment will still get paid. Applicants are encouraged to contact SASSA offices if they have not yet received their social grant payments.
Applicants who have been approved will receive payments from the month in which they applied. They are encouraged to check their application status regularly in the event of no payment.
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.
The R350 grant is coming to an end tomorrow.#SASSACARES pic.twitter.com/AOdID0RoFN
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) April 29, 2021
