The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has confirmed that approximately nine million people are currently benefiting from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD).
The SRD Grant serves as the only financial support available to unemployed adults living in South Africa. Individuals who applied for the grant may need to reconfirm their grant application to ensure they receive further SRD Grant payments.
In April 2024, Sassa used beneficiaries' March 2024 assessment information to determine if a beneficiary was eligible for an SRD grant payment. Sassa confirmed that this temporary measure has been implemented to ensure beneficiaries don't miss out on a Sassa SRD grant payment due to a change in the system.
To ensure uninterrupted assessments and payments made during the transition between the Regulations published on 29 March 2023 under Notice No: and these Amendment Regulations, the Agency may use data used during the March 2024 assessment cycle, in terms of regulation 2, for continued assessments of clients up to 31 May 2024.
However, this measure is temporary and is set to end in May 2024. This may require beneficiaries to reconfirm their SRD grant application to ensure they keep receiving SRD grant payments.
How To Reconfirm Your Sassa SRD Grant Application
Step 1: Visit the official SASSA SRD website: srd.sassa.gov.za.
Step 2: Click on the "Reconfirm Existing Application" tab.
Step 3: Enter your South African ID number and your cell phone number in the designated fields.
Step 4: You will be able to review your application details. Make sure all information is accurate.
Step 5: If there are any mistakes, you can update your application online.
Step 6: Once you've confirmed your details, submit the reconfirmation form.
According to legislation, reconfirmation of the SRD grant is required every 3 months to ensure the beneficiaries still qualify for the grant.
Individuals can also update their information at any time if their circumstances change. Things like updating your surname when you get married are also crucial to ensure you continue receiving the SRD grant.
Providing a valid cell phone number is of the utmost importance. This is because Sassa will communicate with you via your provided cell phone number.
If this number is invalid, you may miss out on crucial information about your SRD grant from Sassa.
To qualify for the SRD grant in South Africa, applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria set by Sassa. They need to be South African citizens, permanent residents, or special permit holders. Additionally, they should not be receiving other government support such as UIF benefits or NSFAS bursaries.
Moreover, their bank account balance should be less than R624 to be eligible for the R370 Sassa grant.
Sassa collaborates with the Department of Home Affairs to conduct verification checks for identity and citizenship, while bank details are shared with the Department of Treasury for income verification. Once eligibility is confirmed, Sassa proceeds with payments.
This verification process is crucial for adhering to the end-of-month payment schedule.
How To Check If Your SRD Grant Application Was Successful
SRD grant applicants can complete a Sassa status check to see if they were approved for grant payments. If an applicant’s SRD Sassa Application is rejected, they may submit an SRD grant appeal to the Independent Tribunal For Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).
