SASSA SRD R370 Grant [Application, Eligibility & Appeal]

SASSA provides the Social Relief of Distress grant to citizens who are unemployed and facing financial issues. SRD R370 (previously R350) grant was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant is a hope for more than 18 million people in South Africa.

In this detailed guide, you will learn about the SRD grant, the history of the grant, the online application process, the payment dates, and how to check SASSA SRD grant application status.

Overview of SASSA SRD R370 Grant

SRD grant was introduced by SASSA and its agency Department of Social Development (DSD). It was first started in May 2020 by the government of South Africa.

This temporary relief measure was sought to provide financial assistance to the most helpless individuals severely affected by the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns.

Background of the SASSA SRD R350 Grant

South Africa, like many countries worldwide, faced unprecedented challenges due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020. The pandemic not only posed severe health risks but also had a devastating impact on the economy.

With the imposition of strict lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus, many businesses were forced to close, leading to massive job losses and a significant decline in income for many households.

Recognizing the immediate need to support those who were most affected, the South African government introduced several measures to provide relief to its citizens. One of the most notable interventions was the introduction of the SRD R350 grant.

Eligibility Criteria for SRD R370 Grant

The SRD grant is famous for R350 payment. However, the payment has now increased to R370. The grant has complete eligibility criteria for all the applicants. Read this eligibility criteria carefully if you want to apply for the SASSA SRD grant.

Job/Business Earnings: The client has to be either unemployed or earning less than R624 per month.
Age Limit: Applicant has to be between 18 to 60 years old. This is the eligible age limit for those who are willing to apply and get approval for this grant.
Residency Status: As the grant is issued by the government of South Africa it is only available for South African citizens. The applicant has to be a permanent resident, asylum seeker, or special permit holder.
Should Not Be a UIF Beneficiary: To qualify for the SRD (Social Relief of Distress) grant in South Africa, the applicant must not be a beneficiary of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
NSFAS Beneficiary: Applicants receiving NSFAS funding are not eligible for the SRD grant. Since NSFAS already provides financial support for education, those benefiting from it cannot apply for the SRD grant, which is reserved for individuals with no other financial assistance.
Not a Government Employee: The applicant must not be employed by any government department or agency.
Biometric Verification: To prevent fraud, applicants will be required to undergo biometric verification, such as fingerprint scanning, to confirm their identity before approval.
Annual Reapplication: Eligibility for the SRD grant must be reassessed annually. Applicants will need to reapply each year, confirming that they still meet the requirements for the grant.
No Social Grants: Applicants should not be receiving any other social grants from the South African government, such as child support or disability grants.
Bank Account Ownership: The applicant must have a valid bank account in their name to receive payments via bank. This ensures that funds are disbursed securely and directly to the recipient.
Residency Verification: Applicants must provide proof of residence, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, to confirm their current living situation within South Africa.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the SRD R370 Grant

The application process for the SRD grant requires a proper guide. If you are going to apply for this grant for the first time then you must need to understand the procedure.

1- Get Access to Official SASSA SRD Website:

The starting step involves the visit of the official SASSA SRD website. You should know that you can not apply for an SRD grant via the SASSA office or any other medium except the online website.

The official web portal URL is srd.sassa.gov.za. And it is made for applicants who want to submit the SRD R370 grant application.

2- Submit Your Details and Accept the Declaration and Consent Documents:

You need to accept all the Declaration and Consent documents before you start the application process. Also, you have to provide the following details before the application:

Cell phone number
Employment status
Banking details

3- Choose Your Residency Status:

To apply for the SASSA grant, you must be a permanent resident, an asylum seeker, or a special permit holder from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, or Angola. On the SASSA website, you’ll find two options to begin your application process:

South African ID Holders
Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders

Select the option that matches your citizenship status and proceed to the next step.

4- Enter Your ID Number and Phone Number:

For both types of citizenship, you need to provide your phone number and ID number. Enter the phone number when you click on the “Apply Online” button. SASSA will send a temporary code to your phone number to verify it.

Check your phone and enter the temporary verification code inside the SASSA portal. Now you can access the SRD grant application form.

5- Fill in the SASSA SRD Grant Application Form:

Applicants have to fill out this application form with their valid details. Make sure your information is accurate, up-to-date, and eligible for grant approval.

Here are the details that you will need to provide during the application process:

First and last name (legal name)
Date of birth
Residential address
Phone number
Email address
Banking details

Enter this information and proofread the application form.

6- Choose Payment Method:

The next step is to choose your payment method to get the SASSA grant cash. If you want to get the cash then choose the Cash Pick Up option. And if you need to get your payment via bank transfer then provide your bank account details.

7- Submit Application:

Lastly, you need to apply. Just click on the “Submit” button to complete the process. Upon completion, you will receive the application ID and reference number. Keep these numbers safe as you need them in the future.

What Documents Are Required?

For a successful SRD grant application, you need to submit the following documents:

Affidavit: A sworn statement confirming your current situation, such as unemployment status or lack of income.
South African ID Card or Document: A copy of your South African ID card, green bar-coded ID book, or temporary ID document.
Proof of Residence: A recent utility bill, lease agreement, or any official document showing your current residential address.
Bank Account Details: A recent bank statement or a stamped bank letter with your account number, branch code, and bank name.
Contact Information: A valid mobile number and email address for communication and receiving updates.
Proof of Unemployment (if applicable): A letter of termination, UIF documents, or any other proof that verifies your unemployment status.
Declaration Form: A signed declaration form confirming that the information provided is true and accurate.

SRD Grant Application Status and Appeals

SRD grant applicants must regularly check their application status. To do this, visit the official SRD page to stay updated on the latest status of your grant. This step is crucial, as it informs you of SASSA’s decision regarding your application.

How to Check SASSA SRD Grant Application Status?

Follow these steps to check your application status online:

Open the SRD official website.
Click on “How to check SASSA SRD Grant Application Status”.
Now enter your phone number and South African ID number to get your application status.
Check your status and get updates about the application. Your status can be approved, declined, pending, or failed.

Common Reasons for Application Rejections

Identity Verification Failed: One of the primary reasons for rejection is the failure to verify the applicant’s identity. SASSA cross-checks your details with the Department of Home Affairs, and if there’s a mismatch in your information, the application will be rejected.
Income Source Undefined: SASSA requires applicants to have no other significant source of income. If your income source is unclear or not properly documented, your application may be rejected due to concerns that you may not meet the eligibility criteria.
UIF Registered Beneficiary: If you are a registered beneficiary of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), SASSA will reject your application. This is because SRD grants are intended for individuals who are not receiving any other form of financial assistance.
NSFAS Registered Beneficiary: Applicants who are receiving financial aid from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are not eligible for the SRD grant. If SASSA finds that you are registered with NSFAS, your application will be denied.
Bank Details Missing: Accurate and complete bank details are essential for the processing of SRD grant payments. If your bank account information is missing or incorrect, SASSA will not be able to process your application, leading to a rejection.

How to Appeal a Rejected Application?

In case your SRD grant is declined then you can appeal for this matter. The appeal application will go to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). This department will review your application and eligibility to determine whether to approve or reject your appeal.

Before you lodge the appeal, make sure you have reviewed all the reasons for the declined application. Correct those issues and then follow these steps:

Open the SRD appeal portal and click on the “Appeals” button to visit the appeal page.
Now click on the “Lodge an appeal for SRD application”.
You need to enter your phone number and get an OTP to verify your identity in the SASSA database.
Now you will see the appeal application form that you need to fill out.
Enter your details:
1. First name and surname
2. Application ID (AppID)
3. Reason(s) for appeal
Now submit the appeal to the DSD department.

Note: You can only appeal for an SRD grant if and only you are eligible for the grant. Also, you need to appeal between 30 to 90 days after the rejection of your application.

SASSA Status Check for R370 Payment Dates

The SRD grant is linked with payment dates. If you are approved for the grant you can not get your payment until you get the payment date.

The payment dates are announced when your application status is approved. Before that, you can not get the pay day date for the Social Relief of Distress grant.

However, the usual SRD payment dates schedule is between the 25 to end of each month. During these days, SASSA pays the SRD grant beneficiaries. These dates can be changed due to the application process, eligibility review, and further verification processes.

Payment Collection Process

After being approved for the SASSA R370 grant and getting your payment date, your last step is to collect your grant money. For this matter, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has managed two methods.

Cash Receiving
Bank Transfers

Depending on your preference, you can choose between these two options. Both methods are easy but bank transfer is the best and quick.

How to Choose Or Add Payment Method?

During the application process, you have to choose your payment processor. You can pick the Cash receiving method or you can go with bank deposits.

Visit the official SRD grant website using your preferred web browser.
Log in using your credentials (ID number and mobile number).
Once logged in, locate the “Payment Information” section on the dashboard.
Click on the option that says “Add/Update Banking Information.”
Select your bank from the drop-down list.
Enter your bank account number.
Confirm the account number to avoid any errors.
Choose the account type (e.g., savings or current).
Enter the branch code associated with your bank account.
Double-check all the details you’ve entered to ensure accuracy.
Click on the “Submit” button to update your banking information.
A confirmation message will appear, indicating that your banking details have been successfully updated.

Impact of the SASSA SRD R370 Grant

Let’s have a look at some of the impacts of the SASSA SRD R370 grant on the South African people.

Helping Families Put Food on the Table

The SRD R370 grant has provided many South African families with the means to buy basic groceries. For households struggling to make ends meet, this grant has allowed them to purchase essential items like bread, milk, and vegetables, ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry. By receiving this money, people have been able to cover their most immediate needs, bringing some relief to their daily struggles.

Supporting Small Business Ventures

Many recipients have used the SRD grant to start small businesses. Whether it’s selling fruits and vegetables, making crafts, or offering services like hairdressing, the grant has given them the initial boost they needed to begin earning more. These small ventures have helped people generate extra income, gradually improving their living conditions.

Assisting with Basic Household Expenses

The SRD grant has also helped people pay for basic household expenses. Whether it’s buying electricity, paying for transport to look for work, or purchasing school supplies for children, the grant has eased some of the pressure on families trying to manage their limited resources. For many, this grant has made a big difference in handling the small but important costs of daily life.

F.A.Q

Why has SASSA introduced the SRD grant?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all the small and big businesses were collapsing. It created a big gap in employment. To handle this matter, SASSA and the South African government started the SRD grant disbursement as a temporary financial relief for the people who had lost their jobs and businesses at that time.

Who is eligible for the SRD R350 grant?

If you are a South African citizen, unemployed, disabled, or not working for the government, you are eligible for the grant.

How to get SRD grant payment dates?

You need to check your SASSA status to get your SRD grant payment dates.

Can I apply for the R350 grant via the SASSA office?

No, you can not apply for this grant through any other channel except the online portal at srd.sassa.gov.za.

What if my grant application is declined?

If your grant is declined, you need to submit an appeal through the DSD website.

Can I submit the documents later?

Yes, you can submit the documents later after submitting your application.

When will I get my SRD payment?

You will get your payment on your pay day date. Check your pay date and get your payment on that date.

What is the current payable amount for the SRD grant?

The latest 2024 amount for the SRD grant is R370.

Is SRD money taxable?

No, the SRD money is not taxable.

Can I buy groceries with the R370 payment?

Yes, you can buy it.

Can I pay my utility bills with SRD R370 cash?

Yes, you are allowed to pay bills with your grant.

Is R370 enough for a family of 4 persons?

The answer depends on your needs, like if there is an infant in your family or any old person. However in general the R370 payment is enough for 1 to 2 persons.

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