High Demand for SRD Grants – SASSA Reports 80,000 Monthly Applications!

On: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:33 AM

High Demand for SRD Grants – SASSA Reports 80,000 Monthly Applications!

Due to financial instability and rising unemployment in South Africa, the demand for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant provided by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is increasing rapidly. An average of 80,000 new people are applying for this scheme every month, which reflects the current social and economic situation in the country. Young people and unemployed women in particular are heavily dependent on this assistance.

What is the SRD Grant?

The SRD Grant was introduced in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was intended to provide temporary financial assistance to those who were deprived of any other government assistance or source of income. Although the scheme was considered temporary, it has been extended several times in view of the needs of the public and now it has been extended till 31 March 2026.

Key information related to the SRD Grant:

Subject	Description
Total Applications (since 2020)	17.4 million
Current Monthly Grant Amount	R370
Current Beneficiaries	9 million people
Percentage of Female Applicants	More than 50%
Applicants Under 35 Years Old	62%
Top Provinces (by Applications)	KwaZulu-Natal (4.4 million), Gauteng (3.2 million), Eastern Cape (2 million)
Grant Validity	Until 31 March 2026
Recent Legal Events	Some regulations declared unconstitutional; government has appealed

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Who is eligible? (Eligibility Criteria)

It is mandatory to meet the following conditions to receive the SRD Grant:

Must be a citizen of South Africa, a permanent resident, or a legal refugee.
Age must be between 18 and 59 years.
Unemployed and not receiving any other government assistance.
Monthly income must not exceed R624.
No residence in a government institution.
Must reside in South Africa.

Who is benefiting the most?

The unemployment rate in South Africa is 32.1%, while youth unemployment is over 60%. This is why young people under the age of 35 are the biggest beneficiaries of this grant.
Provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape have the highest number of applications, highlighting how important this scheme is for poor and resource-deprived regions.

How to apply for the SRD grant?

1. Gather the required documents:

South African ID number or a valid refugee permit
Mobile number (for OTP)
Bank account details
Proof of unemployment and income

2. Methods of application:

Online portal: SASSA SRD Website
WhatsApp: Send a message to 082 046 8553
USSD code: 1347737#

3. Verification process:

After applying, SASSA will verify your information and check your eligibility.

4. How to get paid:

Bank deposit
From stores like Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite
Via the post office in some areas

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Make sure your bank and contact details are correct so that payment is not delayed.

Challenges with the SRD grant

1. Low aid amount:

R370 per month is much less than South Africa’s food poverty line of R760. Many social organizations have called for this to be increased to at least R413.

2. Application rejection:

Sometimes applications are rejected due to minor errors or glitches in the system. Some people are wrongly assumed to have incomes above R624.

3. Payment delays:

Grant recipients face the problem of late payments from time to time, which affects their daily needs.

International comparison:

Country	Assistance Program	Estimated Monthly Aid
USA	Unemployment Benefits	$300–$600 (R5,700–R11,400)
Brazil	Bolsa Família	Up to R1,500
India	Direct Cash Transfer	Limited at regional level

This comparison clearly shows that South Africa’s SRD grant is one of the lowest in the world in terms of amount, raising the question of whether the scheme is able to meet the real needs of the people.

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Prospects:

It is still unclear what will happen to the scheme after March 2026. According to experts, there are three possibilities:

Permanentisation: The SRD grant can be made permanent, like other social schemes.
Increase in amount: It can be increased to R500–R600, given rising inflation.
Discontinuation: If the government does not get the funding, the scheme may also be discontinued.

Conclusion

The SRD grant is not just a social scheme but a lifeline for millions of South Africans. Especially when unemployment is skyrocketing in the country and everyday things are getting expensive day by day, this assistance becomes even more necessary.