How to apply?

Noting that COVID-19 is still very much upon us, we will continue with measures to limit face to face interactions to manage social distancing and use the frontline application systems which had proven to be successful during the initial implementation of this grant. All applications will therefore be again done electronically/digitally and any of the following frontline application channels may be used; 

There are three ways to apply:

• Firstly, through the website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za;
• Through our WhatsApp line on 082 046 8553;
• The USSD line *134*7737#

Please note that an application should be submitted through only one of the above channels – it is not necessary to submit multiple applications. Confirmation will be received as soon as the application has been successfully submitted. 

We encourage all applicants to conclude their applications when they start making the applications to avoid any technical challenges. 

WITH REGARDS TO PROCESSING AND DISBURSEMENT SYSTEM: The system developed over the past year has been improved to manage the numbers of applicants and payments monthly. In addition, improvements continue to be made to improve the service to applicants. Applicants are also reminded that this grant is validated every month.  This means that any change to the financial circumstances of the applicant may result in the grant not being approved for subsequent months, or approved for some months but not all.   

WITH REGARDS TO PAYMENTS OF THE SPECIAL COVID-19 SRD GRANT, SASSA shall pay the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant into a bank account of the beneficiary. With applicants who are unbanked or do not have bank accounts, SASSA will pay through SAPO/Post Bank; or a Bank Mobile Money Transfers (such as CashSend).

Who qualifies for the SASSA SRD Grant in 2021?

THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE COVID-19 SRD GRANT, WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

A Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 per month as indicated in the Directions is payable for the period indicated therein to a person who is —

• (a)​ a South African Citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee registered on the Home Affairs database and persons who are holders of special permits under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit dispensation and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation, and asylum seekers whose Section 22 permits or visas are valid or were valid on 15 March 2020;
• (b) ​Currently residing within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;
• (c) ​above the age of 18 and below the age of 60;
• (d) ​unemployed;
• (e) ​ not receiving any social grant in respect of himself or herself;
• (f) ​not receiving an unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive an unemployment insurance benefit;
• (g)​ not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other financial aid;
• (h)​ not receiving any other government COVID-19 response support; and
• (i) ​not a resident in a government funded or subsidised institution. 

According to Minister Zulu, “Caregivers who are not receiving any grant on their own behalf will also have to apply for the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant. We would like to reiterate that only those who meet the criteria and have no financial support from any source should apply for this grant. It is also important to emphasise that the previous SRD grant expired on 30 April 2021 and this means that all those who had previously applied must re-apply again, in order to enable us to assess their eligibility as we did every month during the previous period, and all applications will be treated as new applications every month.  However, each applicant need only apply once – thereafter the application will be considered monthly.”

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