SRD Grants in High Demand – SASSA Reports Over 80,000 Applications Every Month and Counting

Published on: April 8, 2025

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant continues to be a vital financial lifeline for millions of South Africans, especially the unemployed and youth. With around 80,000 new applications every month, it’s clear the need is growing — but so are the challenges.

From low monthly payments to legal battles over eligibility and uncertainty beyond 2026, this article unpacks everything you need to know about the SRD grant, who qualifies, how to apply, and what the future might hold.

Demand

Since its launch in May 2020, the SRD grant has received a staggering 17.4 million applications, with about 9 million people currently getting paid every month.

That’s more than the population of Johannesburg and Cape Town combined! This massive demand points to the ongoing financial struggles faced by citizens — particularly young people and women — who often have limited job opportunities and no other social support.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Aspect	Details
Total Applications Since 2020	17.4 million
Current Grant Amount	R370/month
Current Beneficiaries	9 million
Women Applicants	Over 50%
Under Age 35	62% of applicants
Extension Valid Until	March 31, 2026
Top Provinces	KZN (4.4m), Gauteng (3.2m), EC (2m)
Legal Challenge	Income threshold ruled unconstitutional

Purpose

The SRD grant began as a COVID-19 emergency response in 2020. It was supposed to be temporary — but with rising unemployment and poverty, it’s now a permanent fixture in millions of lives.

The R370 per month helps cover the bare minimum, but many say it’s not enough — especially when the food poverty line sits at R760.

Eligibility

To qualify for the SRD grant, you need to meet the following conditions:

Be 18 to 59 years old
Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylum seeker
Live in South Africa
Be unemployed and earn less than R624/month
Not receive NSFAS, UIF, or other social grants (except child support)
Not live in a government-funded institution

Even a small deposit in your bank account can disqualify you, so the criteria are tight.

Demographics

Unsurprisingly, the biggest demand comes from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape, areas with high poverty levels. And it’s not just the unemployed — it’s the youth and women who dominate applications.

With youth unemployment over 60%, many young people have no choice but to rely on this modest grant for survival.

Legal

In January 2025, the Gauteng High Court ruled that the R624 income threshold is unconstitutional, suggesting it unfairly excludes needy applicants. But in February, the government appealed the ruling, meaning stricter rules still apply for now. If the appeal fails, more people may qualify, potentially straining the system further.

Also, the grant is only guaranteed until March 2026. After that? No one knows.

Steps

Ready to apply? Here’s how:

Gather These:

ID number or asylum/refugee permit
Mobile number
Bank details
Proof of unemployment

Apply Your Way:

Online: Visit srd.sassa.gov.za
WhatsApp: Send “SRD” to 082 046 8553
USSD: Dial 1347737# and follow the prompts

Wait for SASSA to verify

If approved, payments go to your bank account, or can be collected at retailers like Pick n Pay, Boxer, or Checkers.

Tip:

Keep your contact info updated! Wrong phone or banking details = delayed payments.

Problems

Let’s not sugarcoat it. The SRD grant has flaws:

Too Low

R370 barely buys groceries. Advocacy groups are calling for an increase to at least R413 to match inflation.

Rejected Applications

Thousands are denied due to small errors, like mismatched ID numbers or “over the income threshold” issues — even if that “income” was a once-off deposit.

Late Payments

It’s not uncommon for beneficiaries to go weeks without payment, leading to food insecurity and anxiety.

Comparison

How does South Africa stack up globally?

Country	Grant Type	Amount
USA	Unemployment Benefits	$300–$600 per week
Brazil	Bolsa Família	Up to R1,500 per family
India	Regional Cash Transfers	Varies, limited nationally
South Africa	SRD Grant	R370 per month

Yep, South Africa’s grant is one of the lowest, especially when you factor in inflation and food prices.

Future

So, what happens after March 2026?

Extension: The SRD could become a permanent basic income, possibly renamed.
Increase: Public pressure may push the value closer to R500–R600.
Cancellation: If funding dries up, the grant might end — a nightmare for 9 million people.

Only time (and politics) will tell.