R1,370 Social Grant in South Africa – Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Published on: April 5, 2025

If you’re unemployed and struggling to make ends meet in South Africa, the SRD grant from SASSA could be a game-changer. As of April 2025, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has officially been increased to R370 per month.

This article breaks down everything you need to know—how to apply, who qualifies, payment methods, and what to do if your application hits a snag.

Purpose

The SRD grant started as a temporary solution during the COVID-19 pandemic, but over time, it’s become a lifeline for millions. The goal? Offer short-term financial aid to unemployed South Africans who have no other source of income.

It’s not a long-term solution, but for someone facing unexpected hardships or job loss, that R370 can cover basics like food, transport, or mobile data to apply for jobs.

Eligibility

So, who qualifies for this R370 SRD grant in 2025? Here’s the quick checklist:

Age: You must be 18–59 years old.
Residency: Must be a South African citizen, refugee, asylum seeker, permanent resident, or special permit holder.
Income: You should have no income or earn less than R624/month.
Other Grants: Not receiving any other SASSA grant (except the Child Support Grant).
Support: Not funded by NSFAS or UIF.
Living Status: You must not live in a government-funded institution.

Meet all these? You’re likely eligible!

Apply

There are three main ways to apply for the SRD R370 grant:

Online

Go to the official SASSA SRD website.
Select your ID type (SA ID or special permit).
Enter your mobile number and verify it with an OTP.
Fill in your personal details, bank info, and accept the declaration.
Hit submit.

Save 082 046 8553 to your contacts.
Send “hi” to start.
Follow prompts and complete the application.

Chatbot

Visit the SASSA website.
Use the SRD chatbot on the homepage.
Enter your ID and phone number.
Follow the link to finish the process.

Documents

You don’t need to upload piles of documents, but you do need:

SA ID or permit number
Active cellphone number (to receive OTPs and SMS alerts)
Banking info for direct deposit
Proof of address, if requested later

Payment

Once approved, the R370 is paid out monthly through one of two ways:

Method	How It Works
Bank Transfer	Sent directly to your bank account
Retail Pickup	Collect at Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Spar, etc.

If collecting in-store, bring your ID and phone to receive a payment code via SMS.

Schedule

SASSA processes SRD grant payments monthly, usually between the 25th and 30th. Funds may take 2–3 days to reflect, depending on your bank.

Pro tip: Check your status weekly so you’re not caught off guard.

Status

To check your SRD application status:

Visit srd.sassa.gov.za
Click “Check Application Status”
Enter your ID and cellphone number
You’ll see the status for each month

Issues

Got problems with your grant? You’re not alone—here are the top issues and how to fix them.

Issue	What It Means	Fix
“Alternative Income Found”	SASSA detected income above the threshold	Submit an appeal with correct info
Payment Delayed	Could be incorrect banking info or tech issues	Double-check details, contact SASSA
OTP Not Received	Wrong number or network issues	Try again, use a different browser/device

Final Thoughts

The R370 SRD grant might not solve all your financial problems, but it can be a real help when you’re stuck. If you meet the criteria, applying is easy and takes just a few minutes. Just make sure your banking details and contact info are spot-on, and you’ll be good to go.

Keep checking your status, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to appeal if something seems off. You deserve support—make sure you get it.