If you have applied for the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) then you may be aware that SASSA has rejected applications with the reason being that they have identified an 'Alternative Income Source' for the applicant.
This means that SASSA has determined that the applicant has received more than R595 per month into their bank account. Thus the applicant is not eligible for the R350 grant.
SASSA has explained that income is defined as "any source of income as defined in regulation 19 of the Social Assistance Regulations, 2008 and includes any form of donation or other financial support or financial assistance received by the applicant of not more than R595 as per the food poverty line threshold."
This means that if you receive more than R595 per month, your SRD grant application will be declined. This is because the R350 SRD grant was introduced to financially assist unemployed individuals who are unable to find jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you receive ‘income’ as per SASSA’s definition, you do not qualify for the SRD grant.
SASSA checks the SRD grant applications every month to ensure that grant recipients still qualify for the R350 grant and if they no longer meet the qualifying criteria their application will be declined. SASSA will state the reason as to why an application has been declined.
The following is the qualifying criteria for the Special Covid-19 SRD grant:
- South African Citizen, Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylum seeker;
- Residing within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;
- Above the age of 18;
- Unemployed;
- Not have an income of more than R595 per month;
- Not receiving any social grant;
- Not a NSFAS or UIF beneficiary
- Not in receipt of any other government COVID-19 response support; and
- Not a resident in a government funded or subsidized institution.
If you feel that a mistake has been made by SASSA then you can submit a R350 grant appeal. You have 30 days after being given the reason for your rejected application to do so.
How to Appeal for SASSA Relief Grant Online
- Go to the SRD Grant website
- Scroll down to 'Application for reconsideration'
- Click on the yellow bar
- Fill in the required fields
You will need to provide reasons as to why you believe you were declined on an unfair basis. Once you submit an appeal, SASSA will then consider your application again.
Once you have submitted your SRD grant appeal, you will then need to track it.
Visit the SASSA website for more information.
