The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) received around 14 million applications for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
The grant was introduced to ensure that unemployed individuals received some financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the challenges presented by the pandemic, SRD grant applicants could apply online on SASSA’s website, via email, WhatsApp. Facebook and GovChat.
However SASSA does not only distribute the SRD grant. They also distribute the older persons grant, child support grant, care dependency grant, disability grant and the war veterans grant.
Here’s where to apply for any of the above listed grants
You must apply for a grant at the SASSA office nearest to your house.
Note: if you are too old or sick to travel to apply for a SASSA, you can nominate a family member or friend to apply on your behalf. (You must provide letter authorising the application)
You may choose to call SASSA and request a home visit.
Should you request a home visit, the grant application will be filled out in the presence of a SASSA official. Once the application is completed, you will receive a receipt. It's important to keep this receipt as it is the only proof you have confirming you applied for a grant.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO APPLY FOR A SASSA GRANT.
If you application was unsuccessful, you must be informed in writing why your application was unsuccessful
SASSA said, ‘You have the right to request SASSA to reconsider its decision, if you are unhappy with the decision made. If the reconsidered decision is still unfavourable, you have the right to appeal to the Minister of Social Development’.
The request to have you grant application reconsidered must be made within 90 days of when you were informed that your grant application was rejected.
