The SRD grant, also known as the R350 grant, is a special COVID-19 social relief of distress grant that is meant for South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers and special permit holders who are between the ages of 18 and 60 years, who have insufficient means, who do not receive any other income or social grant, and who are not eligible for UIF payment .
The SRD grant was introduced in May 2020 as a temporary measure to assist the most vulnerable people during the pandemic. The grant was initially supposed to end in October 2020, but it was extended several times until April 2021. In July 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the SRD grant would be reinstated until March 2022, following the unrest and looting that affected many parts of the country.
The SRD grant is paid monthly at the amount of R350, from the date it is approved. Applicants will be paid from the month in which they apply – there will be no backpay. The payment will be made through a channel of the applicant’s choice, such as a bank account, a money transfer service, or a post office .
How to Apply for the SRD Grant
Applications for the SRD grant are only electronic. There are several ways to apply:
- WhatsApp: 0600 123 456 and select SASSA
- USSD: *134*7737#
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Call centre IVR: 0800 60 10 11
- Website: srd.sassa.gov.za
No paper-based applications will be accepted. Applications are free and there is no charge to apply. Applicants are cautioned not to buy “application forms” or to provide their banking details to anyone. SASSA will only request banking information once the application has been approved .
The information required for the application are:
- 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 .
How to Reconfirm Your SRD Grant
Reconfirmation is the process of verifying that the applicant still meets the eligibility criteria for the SRD grant. Reconfirmation is done every month before the payment is made. Applicants do not need to reapply for the SRD grant every month, but they need to reconfirm their status.
Reconfirmation can be done through the same channels as the application, except for e-mail. Applicants can use WhatsApp, USSD, call centre IVR, or the website to reconfirm their SRD grant. The reconfirmation process is simple and quick. Applicants just need to provide their ID number and confirm that they still qualify for the grant.
Reconfirmation is important because it ensures that the SRD grant is paid to the right people who need it the most. Reconfirmation also helps to prevent fraud and abuse of the grant. Applicants who fail to reconfirm their SRD grant may not receive their payment for that month.
How to Check Your SRD Grant Status
Applicants can check the status of their SRD grant application or reconfirmation on the website. Applicants need to enter their ID number and click on the “Status” button. The website will show the current status of the SRD grant, such as:
- Pending: The application or reconfirmation is being processed and validated by SASSA.
- Approved: The application or reconfirmation has been approved and the payment will be made soon.
- Declined: The application or reconfirmation has been declined because the applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria or has provided false information.
- Paid: The payment has been made to the applicant’s chosen channel.
- Unpaid: The payment has not been made due to technical or administrative issues.
Applicants can also check the status of their SRD grant by calling the SASSA call centre on 0800 60 10 11 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
How to Appeal a Declined SRD Grant
If an applicant’s SRD grant application or reconfirmation is declined, they have the right to appeal the SASSA decision by lodging an appeal with the Department of Social Development. The appeal must be done for each month that the SRD grant is declined. The appeal process is as follows:
- The applicant must fill in the appeal form, which can be downloaded from the website or obtained from the nearest SASSA office.
- The applicant must attach a copy of their ID and any supporting documents that prove their eligibility for the SRD grant, such as bank statements, UIF records, or proof of income.
- The applicant must submit the appeal form and the supporting documents to the Department of Social Development within 90 days of receiving the notification of the declined SRD grant. The appeal can be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] or by post to SRD Appeals, Private Bag X901, Pretoria, 0001.
- The Department of Social Development will review the appeal and make a decision within 30 days of receiving the appeal. The applicant will be notified of the outcome of the appeal by SMS or e-mail.
- If the appeal is successful, the applicant will receive the SRD grant payment for the month that was appealed. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the applicant can escalate the matter to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance, which is the final arbiter of appeals .
FAQs
Q: What is the SRD grant?
A: The SRD grant is a special COVID-19 social relief of distress grant that is meant for South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers and special permit holders who are between the ages of 18 and 60 years, who have insufficient means, who do not receive any other income or social grant, and who are not eligible for UIF payment.
Q: How much is the SRD grant?
A: The SRD grant is paid monthly at the amount of R350, from the date it is approved.
Q: How do I apply for the SRD grant?
A: You can apply for the SRD grant through WhatsApp, USSD, e-mail, call centre IVR, or the website. You need to provide your ID number, name, surname, gender, disability, banking details, contact details, and proof of residential address.
Q: How do I reconfirm my SRD grant?
A: You need to reconfirm your SRD grant every month before the payment is made. You can reconfirm your SRD grant through WhatsApp, USSD, call centre IVR, or the website. You need to provide your ID number and confirm that you still qualify for the grant.
Q: How do I check my SRD grant status?
A: You can check your SRD grant status on the website by entering your ID number and clicking on the “Status” button. You can also check your SRD grant status by calling the SASSA call centre or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Q: How do I appeal a declined SRD grant?
A: You can appeal a declined SRD grant by filling in the appeal form and attaching a copy of your ID and any supporting documents that prove your eligibility for the SRD grant. You need to submit the appeal form and the supporting documents to the Department of Social Development within 90 days of receiving the notification of the declined SRD grant. You can submit the appeal by e-mail or by post. You will be notified of the outcome of the appeal by SMS or e-mail.
Conclusion
Reconfirming your SRD grant is a simple and important process that ensures you receive your monthly payment of R350. By following the steps in this article, you can easily reconfirm your status using WhatsApp, USSD, call centre IVR, or the website. You can also check your status, appeal a declined decision, and find answers to frequently asked questions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get some financial relief during these challenging times. Reconfirm your SRD grant today and secure your payment for the next month.
