The value of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has finally increased. Millions of unemployed adults living in South Africa rely on the grant to survive every month.
Approximately nine million people currently receive the SRD Grant payment form the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) each month. It's important to note that all of these recipients previously submitted an application for the grant.
How to Apply for the SRD Grant
There are two convenient ways to apply for the SRD Grant
- Online: Apply through the official SRD grant website
- WhatsApp: Apply via WhatsApp using the Sassa number (082 046 8553).
Applying Online Using Sassa SRD Website
- Select Citizenship: 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."
- Start Application: 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").
- Verify Phone Number: Enter your mobile number and click "Send SMS." Then, enter the one-time pin (OTP) sent by Sassa to your phone for verification.
- Complete Application: Once verified, follow the steps on the website to finish your application.
Applying via WhatsApp
- Save Sassa Number: Add the number 082 046 8553 to your phone contacts to easily access Sassa on WhatsApp.
- Start WhatsApp Chat: Open WhatsApp and send "Hi" to this number to initiate the application process.
- Request Help: After receiving a response from Sassa, reply with "Help" to get further instructions.
- Choose SRD Option: You'll receive various options. Reply with "4" to access the Sassa platform message. Then, reply with "SRD" in that message to proceed with the SRD Grant application.
- Start Application: Confirm whether you're applying for yourself or someone else. Then, provide your name, surname, and ID number directly in the WhatsApp chat.
- Follow Further Instructions: You'll receive a message with further steps to complete the application process.
It's important to remember that you only need to apply once, either online or via WhatsApp. Applying multiple times won't be processed by Sassa.
To qualify for the R370 grant, you must meet the eligibility criteria set by Sassa. This includes being a South African citizen, resident, or special permit holder. You cannot be receiving other government support like UIF benefits or NSFAS bursaries, and your bank balance must be below R624.
Sassa conducts verification checks with other government departments to ensure eligibility. This verification process is why payments are typically made at the end of the month.
After you have applied you can run a Sassa status check on your R370 application to find the status. This will show you if you are approved for a payment this month or not.
