The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant was implemented by the Government and the Department of Social Development to help people who are unable to take care of their most basic needs or those of their families.
The grant is a temporary provision of assistance intended for South African citizens or permanent residents, who have insufficient means.
The SRD grant is usually given for a short time only and can be in the form of a food parcel or a voucher to buy food and some provinces give this assistance in the form of cash.
According to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Western Cape, 338 beneficiaries had received disaster cash payments totalling R513 171 since the start of the financial year.
The agency says that just over 4 500 beneficiaries had received immediate relief payments totalling R6.6 million in the Western Cape.
Millions of South Africans’ welfare and quality of life were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which then led to the introduction of the special R350 SRD grant, a grant paid to individuals who are currently unemployed, do not receive any form of income, social grant or UIF payments etc.
Who can get Social Relief of Distress:
- People who need help while waiting for their children’s grants to be processed.
- A crisis or disaster has occurred (e.g., your house has burnt down)
- You do not qualify for a grant, and you are in a desperate situation.
- You are unable to work for a period of less than six month because you are medically unfit.
- You are unable to get maintenance from the other parent of your child or children.
- The breadwinner in the family has died.
- The breadwinner has been sent to prison for a short time (less than six months)
- You have been affected by a disaster, but the area or community in which you live has not been declared a disaster area.
Should you require further information or assistance you can email:Â GrantEnquiriesWC@sassa.gov.za, or contact the Toll-free helpline: 0800 601 011 for information.
