It was revealed that the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will spend R36 Billion on the implementation of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant until 31 March 2024. This ensures that millions of unemployed people living in South Africa are provided with some financial assistance.
Sassa revealed that around 8 million individuals are currently benefiting from the SRD grant. These individuals have met all the eligibility for the SRD Grant which is verified by completing a Sassa Status Check.
SRD Grant Sassa Payment Dates For November
For November, Sassa will disburse SRD grants to beneficiaries between 24 November 2023 and 30 November 2023.
It's important to note that R350 grants will take approximately 2-3 working days to reflect in the SRD grant beneficiaries’ bank account after the payment is processed by Sassa.
To ensure timely access to their funds, beneficiaries are encouraged to check their Sassa payment status on the SRD website, where the exact deposit date in their bank accounts can be found.
Where To Collect Your SRD Grant
Bank Account:
Beneficiaries, whether permanent grant recipients or SRD beneficiaries, can opt to have their grants deposited directly into their bank accounts. This method offers convenient access to funds, enabling beneficiaries to withdraw their money at their discretion after Sassa initiates the payment.
Retail Outlets:
Sassa grants are also distributed through selected retailers across the country, offering wide geographical coverage for grant recipients. These retail outlets include Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer stores, Usave stores, and Checkers, making it convenient for beneficiaries to find a nearby location.
Mobile Cash Pay Points:
Another option is the use of mobile cash pay points, allowing beneficiaries to collect their grants. However, this method has limited flexibility, as grant recipients can only collect their payments for a few hours during a specific payment cycle.
Has The SRD Grant Been Increased?
Regrettably, the SRD grant has not seen an increase since its inception, citing "fiscal constraints" as per the Department of Social Development (DSD). Although the DSD had proposed an increase to the SRD grant, this proposal was not favourably considered due to ongoing fiscal limitations.
Who Qualifies For The SRD Grant?
To be eligible for the SRD grant, applicants must meet specific requirements. These include being a South African citizen, residing within the country's borders, and being unemployed. Additionally, permanent residents and special permit holders are also eligible to receive the SRD grant.
Grant recipients should not be receiving any form of support from the South African government or any state-affiliated institution. Beneficiaries of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are prohibited from receiving the SRD grant. Individuals should not be financially supported by any state institution.
SRD grant applicants may not have an income of more than R624. In terms of the SRD grant, income refers to the money a person has in their bank account. If the funds in their bank account exceed R624, their application for the SRD grant will be rejected.
