How To Apply For The Social Relief Grant

How To Apply For The Social Relief Grant

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Apply For the R370 SRD Grant:

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, often referred to as the R350 grant, is a temporary financial support initiative offered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). This grant is aimed at individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 who have no income, do not receive any other form of social grant or unemployment insurance, and are in genuine need of assistance. If you meet the qualifying criteria, you can apply online, via WhatsApp, or through the SASSA website without needing to visit an office.

Understanding how to apply for the Social Relief grant is important if you want to avoid delays or rejections. The application process is free, simple, and can be done using just your South African ID number and an active cellphone number. Once approved, the R370 monthly payment (recently increased from R350) is paid directly into your bank account, or you can opt to collect it at retail outlets like Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, or via CashSend.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of applying for the SRD grant successfully. Whether you’re applying for the first time or reapplying after a rejection or missed payment cycle, understanding the correct process can save you time and stress. Continue reading to learn how to submit your application, check your status, and receive your funds as quickly as possible.

Dates To Apply For The Social Relief Grant

Since SASSA is a social intervention policy, it is always open for application, and there is no closing date

Types Of Social Relief Grants

The grants are:

Older person’s grant (old age pension)
Child support grant
Care dependency grant
Grant in aid (if you live on a social grant but need someone to take care of you)
War veteran’s grant
Foster child grant
Disability grant

Requirements Needed To Apply For The Social Relief Grant 2026

To apply for the SASSA SRD Grant, you must meet the criteria to apply (note that these criteria may change). The requirements are as follows:

You must reside in South Africa
You must meet any 1 of these criteria:
- You must be a South African Citizen
- You must be a Refugee in South Africa
- You must be an Asylum Seeker in South Africa with a valid Section 22 permit or visa
- You must be a Special Permit Holder in South Africa (under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit Dispensation, or the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation)
You must be between 18 and 60 years old
You must meet the means test, with an income of R624 or less per month
You must be unemployed and NOT be receiving financial support from any other source
You must have insufficient financial means to support yourself
You must NOT be receiving any other social grants for yourself
You must NOT be contributing towards or eligible for UIF payment
You must NOT unreasonably refuse to accept employment or educational opportunities
You must NOT be receiving a stipend from NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)

Read Also: How Do You Apply SRD Sassa 350?

How To Apply For The Social Relief Grant

With your mobile phone, computer, or laptop connected to the internet, applicants can follow these 6 simple steps to apply for the SRD Grant:

STEP 1: CHOOSE AN APPLICATION METHOD

Applications for the SRD Grant can be submitted via WhatsApp, the SRD Website, or the SASSA Chatbot. You should only apply via one method; submitting more than one application will not speed up the process, and it may slow down your application. Please read how to apply each of these methods:

WhatsApp:

1) Send a message via WhatsApp to 082 046 8553
2) Provide your details
3) You will receive a Reference number, an OTP, and a link to click
4) Click on the provided link, fill in your OTP, and verify your account
5) Fill in your surname and ID number
6) Confirm the personal details that you provided via the WhatsApp chat

SRD Website:

In your internet browser, visit the SRD Website (if you are a Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Special Permit holder.
Fill in your mobile number and ID number, and click “send SMS.”
You will receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS
Insert the OTP number on the SRD website and click “verify pin.”

SASSA Chatbot:

1) In your internet browser, visit the SASSA Website
2) Click on the SRD R350 Grant assistance chatbox (the orange box on the side of the screen)
3) Fill in your ID number and mobile number
4) On the chat, choose the option to apply for the SRD R350 grant
5) Click on the SRD website link provided by the SASSA Chatbot
6) Follow the SRD website steps

STEP 2: AGREE TO THE T&C

Read and agree to the clauses in the Declaration and the Consent
Read and agree to the clauses on the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant document

STEP 3: PROVIDE YOUR DETAILS

Provide your personal information, including:

ID Number
Full Name and Surname (as printed on your ID Document/ ID Card)
Gender
Physical Address
Contact Information (mobile number, email address)
SASSA may request further information

STEP 4: CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT OPTION / PROVIDE YOUR BANKING DETAILS

New applicants with a personal bank account must provide the following information for payment:

Your Bank Name
Your Account Number
Your Branch Name
Your Account Type
Agree to the Terms and Conditions
Submit your Banking Details

New applicants without personal bank accounts must provide the following information for payment:

Choose Payment option – Cash Send
Agree to Terms and Conditions
Submit Banking Details

Existing applicants with a personal bank account, confirm the following information for payment:

Confirm Existing Personal Banking Details
Agree to Terms and Conditions
Click Submit

Existing applicants with the cash option, who would like to change to the bank payment option, should provide the following information for payment:

Your Bank Name
Your Account Number
Your Branch Name
Your Account Type
Agree to the Terms and Conditions
Submit your Banking Details

STEP 5: RECEIVE AN SMS

Applicants will receive an SMS notifying them of their banking details. After receiving this SMS, the SRD R350 Grant application is now active.

STEP 6: SASSA VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION

SASSA verifies your personal information (ID Number, Name, and Surname) against the Department of Home Affairs database.

SASSA matches your ID Number against approved databases such as UIF, SARS, NSFAS, etc.
Fraud Risk Scoring is conducted with Fraud prevention partners, whereby your ID number and mobile number are checked against the approved databases.
Your application is then approved or declined with the reason (see below a list of reasons for being declined).

How much is the Social Relief Grant monthly

As of April 2024, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, commonly known as the R350 grant, was increased to R370 per month. This amount has been officially extended through March 31, 2026, with R35.2 billion allocated in the 2025 national budget to continue payments at this level.

This uplift from R350 to R370 aims to help beneficiaries cope with rising living costs. The extension ensures that eligible individuals aged 18 to 60, unemployed, not receiving other grants or UIF, and meeting the means test, continue receiving support.

Grant Type: Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
Monthly Amount: R370
Effective Until: March 31, 2026

SASSA Contact Details

For any further queries, please get in touch with SASSA directly:
Contact the SASSA Toll-Free Call centre on:0800 60 10 11
Contact the SASSA Head Office on:012 400 2322
Email SASSA Head Office at:Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za

Applying for the Social Relief Grant can provide crucial financial assistance during times of need. Confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and access the appropriate application channels. Fill out the application form accurately, attach the necessary documents, and review your application before submission. For more information, please visit SASSA Grant’s official website.

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