The Social Relief Distress grant was first introduced in May 2020. This was the first large-scale social security measure, put in place during the pandemic for an initial period of six months.
Millions of unemployed individuals continue to benefit from the Social Relief Distress (SRD) grant on a monthly basis since it was implemented in 2020.
In this year’s State Of the Nation Address President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that the grant reaches approximately 7.8 million people.
According to the Department of Social Development (DSD), this grant has valued at R350 per month and the government has failed to increase its value to cushion the poor against inflation.
This comes at a time of the country being in the grip of an increased cost-of-living crisis, with rocketing food and fuel prices, which has led to households being forced to make difficult decisions.
However, Social Development appreciates that the grant has been extended to March 2024, but it remains to be of the value of R350 and it is a temporary grant.
According to DSD Minister Lindiwe Zulu, an agreement on the future of the grant has not as yet been reached, nor what should replace the grant when the temporary arrangement comes to an end.
In the past few years, lobby group, the Black Sash has been advocating for the increase in social grants to be at least at the inflation rate, with no grant being below the Food Poverty Line.
Social Development has mentioned that it is currently exploring options to introduce a more sustainable permanent intervention aimed at addressing the needs of the working age population.
What Are SRD Grant Requirements?
The requirements to qualify for the SRD grant include being a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee, being unemployed and not receiving any other form of income or social grant.
Additionally, applicants must provide proof of identity, residency, and income.
