The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has released the official Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payment schedule for October 2023. Beneficiaries of the grant will be paid during the final days of the month.
For most of 2022 and 2023, Sassa did not release payment dates for the SRD grant. However, the agency began publishing payment dates for the relief grant in August 2023 and provided information on when SRD grant beneficiaries will be paid until March 2024.
SRD Grant Payment Schedule For October
Sassa will begin distributing October SRD grant payments on Wednesday 25 October 2023. The agency expects to complete the processing of all SRD grant payments by Tuesday, 31 October 2023.
Sassa says while grant payments are processed between these dates, the money may only be reflected in the beneficiary’s bank account a few days later.
Funds will take about 2 - 3 working days to reflect in the client’s account after payment has been processed.
It is estimated that more than 10 million people submit applications to Sassa for the SRD grant every month. Of the millions of applications received monthly, only around 7 million people are approved for payment.
Checking If Your SRD Grant Will Be Paid
Individuals who applied for the SRD grant can check if their application has been approved by completing a Sassa Status Check. If your Sassa SRD grant status is approved then you will be paid the R350 grant.
If an applicant completes a Sassa status check and determines that their R350 Sassa Application is rejected, you can submit an b to the Independent Tribunal For Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).
Where To Collect Your SRD Grant
SRD Grant beneficiaries can opt to have their SRD grant paid directly into their bank account. Alternatively, they can make use of the Postbank’s cash-send payment method or collect their grant at a participating retail store.
Retail stores that pay the SRD grant include Checkers, Pick N Pay, Shoprite and Boxer Stores.
Why SRD Grants Are Paid At The End Of The Month
Sassa wants to ensure that the SRD grant is only paid to deserving individuals every month. To do this, they undertake verification checks to ensure that all applicants meet the eligibility criteria for the SRD grant.
The verification checks done by Sassa are completed toward the end of the month, hence the payments are made towards the end of the month.
Verifications Checks For The SRD Grant
Applicants for the SRD grant must be South African citizens residing within the country's borders. Permanent residents and special permit holders are also eligible for this relief grant.
It is important to note that grant beneficiaries cannot receive any assistance from the South African government or any state entity, including benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). They must also not be financially supported by a state institution.
To qualify for the SRD grant, applicants must maintain a bank account balance of no more than R624. The term "income" in the context of the SRD grant refers to the funds in the applicant's bank account. If the balance exceeds R624, the application for the R350 grant will be rejected.
If you are hoping to receive a Sassa social grant you should be running a Sassa status check on the official Sassa website. When you perform the Sassa status check you will receive information on which months you will be paid and which months you won't.
How Sassa Completes SRD Grant Verification Checks
Sassa employs a verification process to determine if applicants meet the SRD grant requirements. This process involves collaboration with various state entities, government departments, and banks.
Sassa verifies the identity numbers and citizenship status of applicants through cooperation with the Department of Home Affairs.
The applicant's bank account details are shared with the Department of Treasury, and subsequently, with the bank chosen by the applicant for income verification. It's important to note that the timeframe for bank verification is not fixed.
The applicant's information is then sent to the Department of Treasury, forwarded to the designated bank chosen by the applicant, and once income verification is completed by the bank, the information is returned to the Department of Treasury.
Finally, it is handed over to Sassa to facilitate the SRD grant payment.
