Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grants Application 2022 for South Africans

Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grants Application 2022 for South Africans

Applications for the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant are only electronic. If you need assistance to apply, SASSA staff and appointed volunteers can assist.

The Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress amount is R350 per month, from the date it is approved. Applicants will be paid from the month in which they apply – there will be no backpay.

Applicants must be:

• South African Citizens, Permanent Residents or Refugees registered with Home Affairs;
• Resident within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;
• Above the age of 18;
• Unemployed;
• Not receiving any income;
• Not receiving any social grant;
• Not receiving any unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits;
• Not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme;
• Not receiving any other government COVID-19 response support; and
• Not resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

What information is required:

• Identity Number;
• Name and Surname as captured in the ID (and initials);
• Gender and Disability;
• Banking details – Bank Name and Account Number;
• Contact details – Cell phone number;
• Proof of Residential Address;

SASSA does not require any applicant to scan in supporting documents such as ID, proof of address or bank statements.

By lodging an application, applicants give consent for SASSA to validate the financial and other information against data sources held by government and financial institutions – including SA Revenue Services and banks.

The provision of false information in an effort to qualify for the grant is an offence and will result in prosecution.

How to apply: Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grants Application 2022 for South Africans

WhatsApp: 0600 123 456 and select SASSA
USSD: *134*7737#
E-mail: SRD@sassa.gov.za(link sends e-mail)
Call centre IVR: 0800 60 10 11
Website:  https://srd.sassa.gov.za

• No paper based applications will be accepted.
• Payment will be effected through a channel of your choice.
• Citizens without bank accounts can also apply.   In this case payment will be effected through a money transfer, once all the necessary validations have been completed.
• Once applications are approved, SASSA will request confirmation of bank account through a secure site – this will also be done electronically.
• Any applicant has the right to request confirmation that this request is from SASSA to protect themselves.
• APPLICATIONS ARE FREE: There is no charge to apply – applicants are cautioned not to buy “application forms” – these are not genuine and will not be processed.
• Applicants are cautioned not to provide their banking details to anyone.
• SASSA will only request banking information once the application has been approved.
• All beneficiaries and applicants should never give their PIN number or the CVV number on the back of the banking card to anyone – not even SASSA.

Change payment preference

Clients can

• change from one payment method to another
• opt from receiving the grant at the Post Office to a bank account of their choice or vice versa
• move their payments from one bank to another
• choose a cash send option using a cellphone registerd in their name only

The above options will only be open from 3 to 9 August.

Change your payment preference by visiting https://srd.sassa.gov.za

Check the status of your application

Website:  https://srd.sassa.gov.za

Additional measures

• Child support grant beneficiaries will receive an extra R300 in May and from June to October they will receive an additional R500 each month.
• All other grant beneficiaries will receive an extra R250 per month for the next six months.
• In addition, a special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the next 6 months will be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed and do not receive any other form of social grant or UIF payment. (The Department of Social Development will issue the requirements needed to access and apply for this funding.)
• The South African Social Security Agency – SASSA – will implement a technology-based solution to roll out food assistance at scale through vouchers and cash transfers to ensure that help reaches those who need it faster and more efficiently.
• In addition, the Department of Social Development has partnered with the Solidarity Fund, NGOs and community-based organisations to distribute 250,000 food parcels across the country over the next two weeks.

Payment of grants

Social grant payments through bank ATMs and retail outlets

Confirmation was received from Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) that banks are ready for the payment cycle. ATMs will be restocked in time for the payment cycle which starts on 30 March.

Banks will also carry messaging reminding customers of priority for older persons and persons with disability.

Retail outlets have confirmed readiness. List of high volume stores just received and will be shared with NATJOC to assist SANDF and SAPS with support planning. Retailers confirmed their own containment measures:

Social grant payments at cash pay points

• SASSA will deploy at least one manager to each pay point to assist with queue management and to attend to enquiries – staff will have protective gear (masks and gloves) and carry hand sanitizer
• SAPO has committed to having hand sanitizer for all clients – will be sanitized just prior to joining short queue for payment
• Access to pay points will be limited to control social distancing
• SAPO staff to be equipped with masks and gloves
• Security staff will be equipped with masks and gloves
• PostBank call centre (available 24/7) on 0800 53 54 55 to deal with concerns and complaints related to SASSA/SAPO cards – card replacement, PIN resets and non-payment

As from May 2020 disability and Older Persons Grants will be paid from the 4th day of the month. All other grants will be paid from the 6th of every month.

Grant recipients are required to carry their Identity Documents and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards when travelling on public transport, to assist law enforcement efforts. (https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-fikile-mbalula-relaxas-hours-public-transport-vehicles-grant-beneficiaries-29-mar)

Grants will be paid. There is no need to withdraw all the cash at once, or to go to points where large numbers of people congregate. Once the grant money is in the account, it will remain there, regardless of when it is accessed.

Social relief of distress food parcels

SASSA will issue Social Relief of Distress (SRD) in the form of food parcels as a temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such dire need that they are unable to meet their or their families’ most basic needs. SRD is paid to South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees who have insufficient means.  This is the criteria for those who can qualify:

• Those receiving temporary disability grants that lapsed in March 2020;
• Those who have had disasters in their communities such as floods and fires as defined in the Disaster Management Act, 1978;
• If a breadwinner in the family has passed on and application is made within 12 months of date of death;
• If everyone in a household is unemployed and needs government assistance in the form of food parcels;
• Child headed household;
• If you cannot work for medical reasons for a period of six months

In terms of Application process, an application for social relief of distress or a social grant may be lodged electronically over and above any other available means of lodging such applications. The measures applicable include sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting SASSA or an E-mail to SRD@sassa.gov.za(link sends e-mail).

Find out how you can get the help you need, visit https://www.sassa.gov.za/

Call Centre

• SASSA call centre 0800 60 10 11
• Call centre available working hours only
• Link to Postbank call centre for SASSA/SAPO card related enquiries