COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
The SRD grant is a means-tested monthly cash transfer of R370 (about $22) paid by SASSA to unemployed South Africans aged 18-59 who have no other income or government support. Introduced in May 2020 as an emergency COVID-19 relief measure, it has been repeatedly extended by the National Treasury and, as of the 2026 Budget, runs through 31 March 2027. It is widely regarded as the de facto precursor to a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) policy that the Department of Social Development is developing with National Treasury. Eligibility is reassessed automatically every month against bank, SARS, UIF, NSFAS and Home Affairs records.
Basic income pilot precursor, COVID-19 emergency relief, means-tested, national government program, largest cash transfer in Africa
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) / Department of Social Development
- City
- Pretoria
- State / Province
- Gauteng
- Country
- South Africa
Contact
- Website
- https://srd.sassa.gov.za/
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Rolling
- Number of recipients
- 8,200,000
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- ZAR
- Total Amount
- 22 ZAR (≈ $1.31)
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- Ongoing / unconditional
- Yes
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit (bank account), Postbank debit card, Cash Send (mobile voucher for ATM/cash withdrawal), Retail collection (Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers, USave)
- Benefit details
Beneficiaries receive R370 (~$22) per month, unchanged since the amount was raised from R350 to R370 in April 2024. Funds can be paid into a personal bank account, a free Postbank card, via a Cash Send voucher redeemable at ATMs, or collected in cash at partnered retailers. Payments and eligibility are re-verified every month rather than through a one-time application.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or registered asylum seekers/special permit holders aged 18-59 with no income or income below R624 per month from all sources combined. Applicants must not be receiving UIF, NSFAS living allowances, or any other primary SASSA grant (the Child Support Grant is the sole exception) and must not be supported by another person who already receives such benefits. Bank, SARS, UIF, NSFAS and Home Affairs databases are cross-checked monthly to verify continued eligibility.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 59
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $7,488
- Currently receiving government benefits
- Disqualifying
- Employment status
- Unemployed
- Banked status
- Unbanked, Underbanked, Banked
Citizenship
- Citizenship / immigration status
- Citizen, Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylum Seeker
Geography
- Countries covered
- South Africa
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Application Process
- How to apply
Apply online at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/ by clicking 'Apply Online,' entering an ID/permit number and cell phone number, and verifying via OTP. Applications can also be submitted via WhatsApp (save 082 046 8553, send 'Hi,' and follow automated prompts) or USSD (1347737#). No in-person application is required; approved recipients are re-verified automatically each month rather than reapplying.
- Selection process
Eligibility is determined by an automated means test cross-referencing applicant data against the Department of Home Affairs (identity/citizenship), SARS (tax/income), UIF (unemployment insurance receipt), NSFAS (student funding), and bank account records; approval/decline decisions and reasons are communicated via SMS and the online status-check portal, with an appeals process available for declined applicants.
