The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced that nearly nine million people applied for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for October 2024. While many applications were approved, some applicants were not as fortunate.
Who Qualifies for the R370 Grant?
To qualify for the R370 grant, individuals must be between 18 and 59 years old and must be unemployed. R370 grant beneficiaries may receive any other government financial assistance, including NSFAS bursaries, UIF benefits, or other Sassa grants.
However, your application will be rejected if your income exceeds the threshold. For the R370 grant, "income" refers to the money in your bank account. The current income limit is R624.
How to Submit an SRD Grant Appeal
If your SRD grant application is rejected, but you believe you meet the eligibility requirements, you can appeal the decision. Appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).
The ITSAA reviews Sassa’s decisions and can uphold, modify, or overturn them. Under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), the tribunal has 90 days to make a ruling on your appeal.
How to Check Your SRD Grant Appeal Status
After submitting an appeal, you can track its progress to see whether the tribunal has upheld or overturned Sassa’s decision. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Sassa Appeals Website: Go to the official Sassa appeals page.
- Enter Your Information: Provide your ID number and cell phone number.
- Track Your Appeal: Click "Track Appeal."
You will be notified of the tribunal’s decision electronically within 60 to 90 days of submitting your appeal. While the decision is final, you may challenge it in the High Court within 180 days if necessary.
