The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is the only government support grant provided to unemployed individuals between the ages of 18 and 59 years old. During its first iteration, the grant was distributed to more than 11 million people.
Originally set to conclude in March 2022, the decision was taken to extend the crucial support by 12 months and will come to an end in March 2023. The National Treasury provided the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) with R44 billion to cover the extension.
However, Sassa revealed that the budget can only accommodate 10.5 million eligible grant applicants. This means that around 500,000 people will not receive the SRD grant.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) says that it will attempt to assist the half-a-million people who won't get the grant by sharing their information with government entities for potential employment opportunities.
“Currently, Sassa is in the process of establishing a data sharing relationship with the Departments of Public Works and Infrastructure and Employment and Labour with the goal of assisting Covid-19 SRD recipients gain access to employment opportunities,” said the DSD.
The department added that they have finalised a framework to link social protection beneficiaries to sustainable livelihood initiatives. This is with the hopes to providing skills to unemployed individuals and those receiving the SRD grant to increase their likelihood of employment.
“These initiatives are complemented by a sustainable livelihoods programme that empowers vulnerable individuals, with particular focus on youth and women who are disproportionately affected by unemployment” explained the departments.
They added that this skills development programme, aimed at people who are not receiving grants, could lead to income generation and create job opportunities for these individuals.
