The Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has been a vital source of financial support for many South Africans during the pandemic.
However, there have been several changes and updates to the grant since its inception.
SRD Grant Extension and Re-Application
The SRD grant was initially introduced in May 2020 as a temporary measure to provide financial relief to those who were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant was later extended several times, with the most recent extension being announced in January 2023.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) announced that the SRD grant would be extended until March 2023.
However, in order to continue receiving the grant, beneficiaries were required to re-apply.
This was necessary to ensure that only those who were still in need of financial assistance continued to receive the grant.
The re-application process was open from January 2023, and beneficiaries were required to provide updated information and confirm their eligibility for the grant.
Changes to the SRD Grant Eligibility Criteria
In addition to the re-application process, SASSA also announced changes to the eligibility criteria for the SRD grant.
One of the main changes was the introduction of a new income threshold. Previously, the grant was available to anyone who earned less than R595 per month.
However, the new threshold was set at R350 per month, which is the same amount as the grant itself.
This change meant that anyone who earned more than R350 per month would no longer be eligible for the grant.
However, SASSA did announce that there would be some exceptions to this rule.
For example, those who were receiving other forms of social grants or were living in areas with high levels of poverty and unemployment may still be eligible for the SRD grant.
SRD Grant Payment Delays
One of the ongoing issues with the SRD grant has been payment delays.
Many beneficiaries have reported experiencing delays in receiving their grant payments, which has caused significant hardship and financial strain.
SASSA has acknowledged the issue and has attributed the delays to a number of factors, including the high volume of applications and the need to verify the eligibility of beneficiaries.
However, the agency has assured beneficiaries that it is working to resolve the issue and ensure that payments are made on time.
SRD Grant and Other Forms of Social Assistance
Another important issue related to the SRD grant is how it interacts with other forms of social assistance.
In South Africa, there are several different types of social grants, including the Old Age Grant, the Disability Grant, and the Child Support Grant.
Beneficiaries who receive these grants may also be eligible for the SRD grant.
However, SASSA has announced that the SRD grant will be deducted from other grants if the beneficiary is found to be receiving more than one grant.
This is to ensure that beneficiaries do not receive duplicate payments and to prevent abuse of the system.
SRD Grant Appeals Process
Finally, it’s worth noting that beneficiaries who are declined for the SRD grant or who experience any issues with their grant payments can appeal the decision.
SASSA has established an appeals process, which allows beneficiaries to submit an appeal online or through the mail.
Beneficiaries who wish to appeal a decision must provide detailed reasons for the appeal and may be required to submit additional documentation.
SASSA will then review the appeal and make a decision, which will be communicated to the beneficiary.