Unpacking the 2024 Extension of the SASSA R350 SRD Grant: What You Need to Know
SASSA R350 SRD Grant Extension 2024 and Beyond (March 2025)
News of the SASSA R350 SRD Grant Extension that will see it go beyond 2024 up to March 2025 will be welcome news for many destitute South Africans.
The Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced in November 2023 that the grant would be extended for an additional year, taking it to March 2025
But, it’s important to note that any further extensions, grant increases or replacements will require permanent boost in government revenue, reductions in spending elsewhere, or a combination of the two.
The final decision rests with the Finance Minister.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has extended its Special Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant until March 2024!
So don’t miss out, do your SRD Status Check to ensure that you’re registered to receive your monthly grant payment.
What is the SRD Grant?
The SRD grant is a monthly payment of R350 and is available to unemployed people or those who’ve lost their income due to the pandemic.
It’s intended to provide much-needed financial support to those who are in financial distress and meet the eligibility criteria.
Furthermore, several civil society organisations, including the Black Sash, have been calling on the government to make the grant permanent and increase it to at least R624. (Ref: Daily Maverick 26 Oct 2022)
If you’ve applied and your application is still pending, you should do your SASSA Status Check to see that it hasn’t been declined for some small reason.
Eligibility Criteria For the R350 Grant
To qualify for the SRD grant, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility criteria.
- Provide proof that you’re in financial distress
- Prove that you’re a SA citizen by providing your South African ID number.
- You won’t be eligible if you receive any other grant or government support at all.
If you qualify you can apply for the SRD Grant online or by visiting a SASSA office.
Don’t forget to do your SASSA status check for R350 to see that your application hasn’t been declined.
Other Financial Support Programs
Whilst the extension of the SASSA R350 grant is good news for SRD beneficiaries the following support programs are also available to those in financial distress.
- Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS)
- Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
- COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund.
Will the SASSA R350 Grant Extension Also Included An Increase?
Whilst the news of the SASSA R350 grant being extended is welcome, there was no mention as to whether it would be increased.
There have been rumours that it would be increased from R350 to R624 but this has not been confirmed.
However, President Cyril Ramaphosa did say that Government will be looking to do away with the grant eventually by improving the economy and creating jobs.
So when does the R350 grant end?
The latest announcement, from the government, is that it will be extended until March 2024 and after that, who knows?
He also went on to say that “any further support must pass the test of our affordability and must not come at the expense of basic services or the risk of unsustainable spending”.
Whilst social grants are a necessity for those who are most vulnerable, a better solution would be to create more jobs so that the poorest of the poor can earn a living rather than depending on social handouts.
The SRD R350 grant was initially introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022 and has proven to be an effective way of helping the poor through the pandemic and now.
After a panel of experts was appointed by the Department of Social Development to study the impact of a Basic Income Grant, it was recommended that the government should consider a Basic Income Grant.
It will remain to be seen if this materialises as the Finance Minister has suggested that it would be preferable to boost the economy and create jobs to alleviate spending in this regard.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa has hinted at replacing the R350 grant with a more sustainable option and that any further social grants must be affordable and must not come at the expense of basic service delivery.
Conclusion: SASSA R350 Grant Extension
The news of the SASSA R350 grant extension until March 2024 will please many poor South Africans.
Not only for those who are already getting the grant but also for those who meet the eligibility criteria as they can also apply.
Therefore, if you haven’t been receiving the grant, and you think you qualify, you should apply for the SRD Grant now as you could be benefitting for many more months to come.
And, if you’ve already applied and still waiting for an answer, you should do your 350 status check to ensure that you are registered for the grant.
Lastly, if your application has been declined, you have the right to apply for reconsideration and appeal SASSA’s decision.
So don’t give up and keep doing your 350 status check to see whether you have been registered to get the grant.