The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed that over 18 million people have applied for the Special COVID-19 R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to date.
This grant continues to offer temporary financial assistance to unemployed individuals with no alternative source of income.
Declined? Here’s How to Apply for Reconsideration
If your SRD grant application was declined, you can apply for reconsideration through the official SASSA SRD website.
Steps to Apply for Reconsideration:
- Go to: https://srd.sassa.gov.za
- Scroll to the “Application for Reconsideration” section.
- Click on “click here to apply for reconsideration.”
- Enter your ID number and the cellphone number you used to apply.
- Follow the prompts to submit your request.
You must submit a separate reconsideration request for each month your application was declined. Reconsideration requests must be submitted within 30 to 90 days of the initial decision.
New Changes in 2025 You Should Know
- Biometric Verification: Since 7 June 2025, new applicants must undergo biometric verification during the application process.
- One Grant per Household: From 15 July 2025, only one person per household may receive a SASSA social grant, including the SRD grant.
- Decision Time: It may take up to 60–90 days to receive an outcome on your reconsideration or appeal.
Still Declined After Reconsideration? Appeal to ITSAA
If your reconsideration is also rejected, you can appeal through the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA):
- Visit the SASSA SRD website.
- Select the relevant month for appeal.
- Provide your ID number and mobile number.
- State your reason for appeal and submit.
If your ITSAA appeal is unsuccessful, you may request a judicial review in the High Court.
Do You Qualify for the SRD Grant?
To receive the R370 SRD grant, you must:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, asylum seeker, or special permit holder
- Be unemployed
- Have no source of income or financial support
- Be between 18 and 59 years old
- Not receive any other social grant, UIF, NSFAS, or similar support
- Ensure no one else in your household is already receiving a SASSA grant (as of July 2025)
