The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, also known as the R370 is the only financial support offered to unemployed people living in South Africa. People who meet the eligibility criteria for the grant can apply online with the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
The SRD grant, also referred to as the R370 due to its monetary value has approximately 8 million beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of the grant have been R370 per month, since April 2024 since its R20 or 5.7% increase
How To Apply R370 Sassa Grant For May 2024
To begin your R370 grant application, visit the SRD grant website.
- Start by choosing your citizenship status at the bottom of the webpage. You can select either "South African ID Holder" or "Asylum Seeker/Special Permit Holder."
- Locate the yellow bar that says "Click here to apply online" under the relevant section ("How do I apply for this SRD Grant" or "Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders").
- Enter your mobile number and click "Send SMS." Then, enter the one-time pin (OTP) sent by Sassa to your phone for verification.
- Once verified, follow the steps on the website to finish your application.
Who’s R370 Grant Application Will Be Accepted?
To qualify for the R370 grant in South Africa, applicants must meet specific criteria. They need to be citizens, permanent residents, or special permit holders, and they must not be receiving other government support such as UIF benefits or NSFAS bursaries.
Additionally, their bank account should have less than R624 to be eligible for the R370 grant.
Future Of The R370 Grant
Originally a short-term grant for the unemployed during lockdowns, the SRD grant has been extended until March 2025, providing essential support to individuals without income. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the grant has kept many people out of poverty despite its modest amount.
The SRD grant received a budgetary allocation of R33.6 billion for the 2024 financial year, with provisional allocations also made for the 2025 and 2026 financial years. This means that, if deemed necessary by the government, the implementation of the grant could be extended until March 2027.
