SASSA SRD R370 Grant Eligibility To Be Challenged in the Court
Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) is going to sue the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Department of Social Development (DSD), and Ministry of Finance for unfair eligibility criteria for the SRD grant.
It was started in 2023 when #PayTheGrants and the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) filed the case against the eligibility rules of the SRD grant set by the government and officials. The purpose of that case was to ask for changes in the eligibility criteria rules that are making many eligible people ineligible.
The application was filed in the High Court against the Minister of Social Development and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
The case will be heard by a High Court judge in Gauteng, Pretoria on 29 and 30 October. Everyone is hoping that we can get relief in the strict and out-of-the-way eligibility criteria for the grant approval.
SRD Grant Introduced in May 2020 to Aid South Africans Impacted by COVID-19
In May 2020, the South African government launched the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant in response to the severe economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Aimed at assisting those facing financial hardship, the grant was introduced as a temporary relief measure for individuals who were unemployed and not receiving any other form of social assistance or income.
The SRD grant, initially set at R350 per month, targeted millions of South Africans who lost their livelihoods due to the pandemic-induced lockdowns and economic downturn. As the country grappled with the health crisis, the grant provided crucial support to vulnerable citizens left without a source of income.
This emergency relief measure has since become a lifeline for many, offering essential financial aid during a time of unprecedented economic instability. The SRD grant continues to play a pivotal role in the government’s efforts to alleviate the hardships faced by those hardest hit by the pandemic.
Response of Government About This Case Filing
In response to the recent legal challenge filed by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the #PayTheGrants movement regarding the SRD grant eligibility criteria, the Department of Social Development has defended its process as accessible and fair.
Ebenezer Nkosinathi Dladla, the chief director of legal services at the Department of Social Development, addressed concerns about the application process, stating, “The cellphone data does not even require data, and one cellphone number can be used by up to five applicants.” He further clarified that applicants without access to a personal cellphone could use the devices of relatives or friends to submit their applications.
Dladla emphasized the simplicity of the SRD application process, explaining that whether applicants choose to apply through the online website or via WhatsApp, the entire process takes no more than 20 minutes. This, he argued, ensures that the process remains quick, efficient, and accessible to all eligible South Africans seeking relief.
The government stands firm on its position that the SRD grant application process is designed to minimize barriers and reach those in need of assistance.
