How To Apply For SASSA Social Relief of Distress Grant?
Last year when the South African government declared a state of emergency and instated a lockdown, they also introduced the Social Relief of Distress Grant. The SRD grant helps unemployed South Africans and registered foreign nationals with R350 a month. This grant ended in January 2021, with many recipients receiving their final payments in March 2021. However, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent unrest, the government has reinstated the SRD grant. Meaning many unemployed South Africans will receive financial assistance from now until March 2022
Who Is Eligible For The COVID SRD Grant?
To qualify for the Social Relief of Distress Grant recipients must be:
- Over the age of 18
- Be unemployed
- Be A South African citizen,refugee, permanent resident, asylum seeker or citizens of Lesotho, Angola and Zimbabwe who has a special permit registered on the Home Affairs database.
- Not receiving Unemployment Insurance benefit, NSFAS stipend, or residing in a government funded or subsidized institution.
How To Apply For The COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant?
You can either apply via email, a USSD code (phone), or via WhatsApp. When you apply, you will need to provide your ID or department of home affairs permit number, your full name and surname, gender and disability, as well as your contact details and address.
You will also need to sign a declaration of consent before your application can be processed. This declaration of consent allows SASSA to verify the information you provide to them with banks, SARS, and other financial institutions.
Apply Via Email
To apply for the Social Relief of Distress Grant via email, email your details to: srd@sassa.gov.za
Apply Via Phone
To apply via your phone dial *134*7737# and follow the prompts.
Apply Via Whatsapp
To apply for the Social Relief of Distress Grant via Whatsapp, send a message to 082 046 8553.
Apply via Chat
To apply via chat using this link: GovChat:https://govchat.app/login
Apply via Facebook
To apply for the Social Relief of Distress Grant via Facebook, send your details on messenger using this link
https://www.facebook.com/govchat.org
You should also note that you can only apply once through one channel.
Where Can I Check The Status of My SRD Grant Application?
You can check the status of your SRD grant application online through the SASSA website
or you can view your status through WhatsApp by messaging SASSA to 082 046 8553.
Do I Need A Bank Account To Apply?
If you qualify for the grant, SASSA will request your bank details. To ensure you do not commit fraud, you cannot use someone else’s banking details. If you do not have a bank account, you can choose to receive your money from a Nedbank, Standard Bank, FNB, or ABSA or via a send money voucher to a cell phone that is RICA’d in your name.
If you cannot do this, you will be able to pick up your Social Relief of Distress Grant from the Post Office when it is available.
You can also contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 if you have any further questions.
