SRD R370 Grant
2019 was a memorable year due to the COVID-19 epidemic. However, South Africa suffered the most. The COVID-19 pandemic’s first hard lockdown was the first thing that made millions of people jobless. During that time, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa decided to launch a social relief of distress (SRD) grant for people who lost their source of income.
The grant was first disbursed from May 2020 to October 2020, and it was extended until April 2021. Today, the SRD grant is disbursing, and it is supposed to end in March 2026.
This guide will educate you on what is SRD grant is, what the payment dates for 2025 and 2026 and who is eligible for this grant.
What is the SASSA SRD R370 Grant?
The SASSA SRD grant stands for ‘Social Relief of Distress” grant. It was first introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown for people who lost their jobs or became vulnerable.
Purpose
The purpose of the SRD R370 grant is to give fast help to people who have no income. It helps unemployed individuals meet their basic needs. The grant offers support to people who struggle to buy food, transport, and other daily items.
It gives temporary relief during hard times. It also reduces stress for families who cannot earn money. The grant helps people stay stable while they look for work.
It supports those who face sudden problems in life. The SRD R370 grant makes sure that people do not suffer alone. It gives hope and short-term support when they need it most.
History
As I mentioned above, the SRD grant was first introduced in May 2020, right after the first strict lockdown due to the pandemic. At that time, it was a relief from disaster aid from the government.
Many families had lost their jobs and had no way to earn money. The government started this grant to help people cover basic daily needs.
The grant first ran until October 2020, but it was extended to April 2021. When it stopped, many experts and social groups suggested that the government should restart it, raise the amount, and include more people. They warned that ending the grant would hurt poor households. Treasury did not agree because they said the country did not have enough funds for long-term relief.
In 2022, the President brought the grant back and extended it from April 2022 to March 2023. The rules also changed because COVID-19 ended, and the grant moved under the Social Assistance Act. Later, the government extended it again until March 2026.
From May 2020 to February 2024, the grant amount remained at R350. Later in April 2024, the payment was increased to R370. However, due to the high inflation rate, the grant’s actual worth is R303.
Budget for SRD Grant in 2025/26
The SRD grant received R44 billion in the 2022 Budget Review. The funding aimed to support 10.5 million people until March 2023, while 10.9 million people were listed as eligible. The initial means test was R350, and in June 2022, about 6.5 million applications were approved. By August 2022, only 63% of these payments were made.
The government later raised the means test limit to R624, which increased the number of monthly beneficiaries to around 7.5 million. In the 2022 MTBPS, R5.5 billion was shifted away from the DSD. Out of this, R3.7 billion was reallocated, and R1.8 billion stayed unused. The government said it saved R9.2 billion.
For 2024, the budget expects 9.24 million SRD beneficiaries and sets the total cost at R33.7 billion. Application numbers also grew from 14 million to nearly 16 million between April 2023 and February 2024.
In 2025, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said that the government set aside R35.2 billion for the SRD grant. He also said that more than 9 million people were approved to receive the support.
SASSA SRD Status Check Guide
You can check your SRD grant application status on the official SRD portal. Numerous websites are phishing and collecting data like ID and phone numbers of millions of SRD grant applicants. So always go to the official channel to check your status.
- Open any secure web browser. I will suggest Firefox as it is very secure and blocks all kinds of tracking.
- Now type “SRD status check” on Google, Bing, or any search engine you prefer.
- Open the first website on the SERP or look for the “srd.sassa.gov.za” web address.
- On the SRD portal, you will need to enter your South African issued ID number of 13 digits and your 10-digit phone number.
- Click on the “Check Status” button.
- Your application status will be shown on your screen.
SRD Grant Payment Dates for 2025-26
You should know that SRD grant payments are disbursed every month. However, the payment dates are not pre-scheduled as for other grants like the Older Persons or the Child Support grant.
| Month | Payment Dates (2025–26) |
| December 2025 | 25–31 December 2025 |
| January 2026 | 25–31 January 2026 |
| February 2026 | 25–28 February 2026 |
| March 2026 | 25–31 March 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for SRD Grant 2026 Updated
Check out the SRD grant eligibility criteria for 2026.
1. You Must Be a South African Citizen or Legal Resident
You can apply if you are a South African citizen, refugee, asylum seeker, or special permit holder.
2. You Must Be Between 18 and 59 Years Old
You cannot apply if you are younger than 18 or older than 59.
3. Your Bank Balance Must Stay Below R624 per Month
SASSA checks your bank account every month. You must keep less than R624 in your account.
A balance above R624 can stop your approval, even for one month.
4. You Must Be Unemployed or Earn Less Than R1,000 per Month
You can work part-time or earn a small income. Your total income must stay below R1,000 per month. SASSA uses your bank records to check this.
5. You Must Not Receive Any Other SASSA Grant
You cannot get the SRD grant if you already receive any other SASSA support, such as:
- Child Support Grant
- Old Age Grant
- Disability Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
- Foster Child Grant
You also cannot receive NSFAS, UIF, or any other government financial support.
6. You Must Not Own Expensive Assets Above R10,000
You cannot own a costly car, house, or business items worth more than R10,000.
7. You Must Not Live in a Government Facility
You must live in a private home. You do not qualify if you stay in a state facility, prison, shelter, or any government care center.
8. You Must Not Travel Outside South Africa in the Last 3 Months
If you traveled to another country in the past three months, SASSA may reject your application.
They check this with Home Affairs records.
SRD Grant Application Procedure
You can apply for SRD grant online. Follow the simple steps below.
- Go to srd.sassa.gov.za.
- Click “Click here to apply online.”
- Enter your phone number and verify it with the OTP.
- Accept the Declaration and Consent.
- Fill in the application form with your correct personal details.
- Receive your Application ID (AppID), e.g., 729702.
- Choose your payment option:
- Request a Postbank account
- Add your own bank account
- Select a bank for Cash Send
- Review all details carefully.
- Submit the application form.
SRD Grant Application Status Meanings
Once you have applied for the SRD grant, you will see one of the following statuses.
1. Pending
If your application shows Pending, it means your request is still under review. SASSA has not approved or declined it yet. You need to wait until they complete the assessment.
2. Declined
Declined status means your application was rejected. This can happen if you are not eligible or if there was a violation of the rules. SASSA will not pay the grant in this case.
3. Failed / Identity Verification Failed
Failed or Identity Verification Failed means SASSA could not verify your identity documents. You need to check your information and fix any identity issues to reapply.
SRD Grant Appeal for Reconsideration
If your SRD grant application is declined or failed, but you believe the decision is unfair, SASSA allows you to appeal for reconsideration. You can submit a formal request to have your case reviewed again. To do this, visit the Department of Social Development (DSD) portal online.
Look for the appeal application section and fill out the required form with accurate details. Make sure to explain why you think the decision was wrong and provide any supporting documents. Once submitted, SASSA will review your appeal and notify you of the outcome. This gives applicants a second chance to receive the grant.
