SRD Application Introduction
The SRD R350 Grant from SASSA is a financial assistance program provided to the people of South Africa who cannot fulfill their and their family’s basic needs and need temporary assistance due to difficult economic circumstances. More than 8.5 million people in South Africa receive a Social Relief of Distress grant every month.
The Social Relief of Distress grant is given to those who have no other source of income and are aged between 18 to 59. You can apply for the SASSA R350 Grant if you are unemployed or medically unfit for up to 6 months and are eligible for it. There were different channels to apply for the R350 grant such as through the SRD SASSA website, WhatsApp, SMS, and others.
SASSA R350 Grant Eligibility Criteria
It is important to check the eligibility criteria before applying for the R350 grant. The eligibility criteria for the SRD application are given below:
Documents Required for the SRD Application Process
Once you confirm your eligibility for the SRD R350 grant, you need to collect the all required documents to apply for the R350 grant. The documents required to apply for SASSA R350 are given below:
How to apply for the SASSA SRD R350 Grant
SASSA provides different channels to apply for the SRD R350 grant through the SRD website, WhatsApp, Chatbot, SMS, and in the SASSA office. You can choose any of the methods to apply for the R350 grant. The process to apply for the SRD R350 grant using different channels is discussed below:
Apply for the SASSA SRD R350 Grant Online
SASSA provides the facility to apply for R350 grants online for a fast SASSA application process. You can follow the steps below to apply for an R350 grant online:
SASSA SRD Application Through WhatsApp
SASSA gives the facility to R350 applicants to apply through their WhatsApp number. Follow the steps below to apply for Social Relief of Distress grant on WhatsApp:
Apply for an R350 Grant via SASSA Chatbot
You can choose the SASSA AI assistant Chatbot to apply for an R350 grant if you are having a problem applying manually on the SASSA website. Follow the steps below to apply for an SRD R350 grant on the chatbot:
Apply for R350 Grant Application via SMS
If you do not have internet access then you can apply for an R350 grant via SMS by dialing the USSD code. Dial the R350 grant application USSD code *134*7737#. Follow the prompt instructions and complete the R350 grant application process. Once you complete the application process you will receive a confirmation message on your phone number.
SRD SASSA Gov Za Application in SASSA Office
If you feel it difficult to apply online for an SRD R350 grant through any of the above methods then you can simply apply for an SRD grant at your nearest SASSA office. Visit the SASSA office with the all required documents and fill out the SRD SASSA gov za application form in the presence of the SASSA officer.
Make sure to double-check the information you provided and submit it to the SASSA official. The SASSA officer will give you a stamped receipt. Keep the receipt as proof of your SRD R350 application.
SASSA Online Application for R350 Status Check
Once you have applied for the SASSA SRD R350 grant, you need to check your application status regularly to stay updated about your SASSA SRD application process. Follow the steps below to check your SASSA status:
How much is the SASSA SRD Grant
SASSA has set the SRD grant at R350 since its launch in October 2020. But now in the budget speech for the financial year 2024-25, the finance minister of South Africa announced that they are increasing the Social Relief of Distress grant along with other grants. He announced that they are increasing the SRD grant by R20 from April 2024. After the increase, the applicants for SRD grant will get R370 from April 2024.
SASSA Application for R350 Processing Time
SASSA needs 60 to 90 days to process your SRD grant application. However, it takes more time due to the high number of applications or any other reasons. Once, SASSA decides on your SRD application you will receive an SMS from SASSA on your registered mobile number.
What to do if your SASSA R350 Application is Denied
If your SASSA application for the Social Relief of Distress R350 grant is rejected and you strongly believe that you still qualify for the R350 grant then you can apply for an SASSA reapplication. SASS will review your grant again and decide on it. Make sure to correct the mistakes and then apply for the reapplication.
If your reapplication request is also rejected then there is a way in which you can apply for reconsideration request to SASSA. SASSA will evaluate your SRD application again and verify your documents properly. There are high chance that your reconsideration request will accepted and your R350 grant will be approved.
SASSA appeal is the last method if your reconsideration request is also rejected. You cannot again apply for reconsideration to the SASSA. If your reconsideration request is also rejected then you can appeal the SASSA decision to the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA). ITSAA will review your application itself and if they believe that you are eligible for the SRD grant then they will reverse the decision of the SASSA. However, if your appeal request is also rejected then you cannot appeal the ITSAA decision.
SASSA Distress Grant Payment Process
Once your SRD application is approved then you can collect the R350 grant payment from the month your grant is approved. SASSA offers different channels to collect SASSA payments. If you choose the bank transfer method during the application process then SASSA will deposit your R350 grant directly into your bank account.
However, if you choose the Send cash method then you can collect your grant amount from SASSA-partnered retail stores such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar. Provide your ID number at the retail outlet and collect your SRD R350 grant payment.
How to cancel SRD R350 Application
If you think that your financial circumstances have changed and you do not need the SRD grant now then you can cancel your application for R350 by the following method:
How to Reinstate Your Cancelled SRD Grant Application
If you want to reactivate your previously canceled SRD application, then you can apply for an SRD R350 reinstatement request. Follow the steps below to reinstate your canceled application:
How to Update Your SASSA SRD Grant Phone Number
It is important to update your contact details on the SASSA application if you change your phone number. It helps SASSA to contact you and you will stay updated about your SRD grant. The process to change your SASSA SRD application contact details is given below:
How to Update Your SASSA Banking Details
If you changed your bank account then it is important to update it on the SASSA application also for timely payments. The process to change banking details is given below:
How to Change Name and Surname on R350 Grant Application
If your SASSA SRD application is rejected due to an incorrect Name or Surname, then you can update your details and again apply for reapplication. SASSA allows you to update your Name and Surname once a month. The process to update Name and Surname information is given below:
SASSA R350 Extension
SASSA recently announced that they are extending the SRD R350 grant till March 2025. The other good news is that you do not need to reapply after every 3 months. Once your SRD grant application is approved, you will receive payments every month till March 2025. SASSA may extend the R350 grant further.
SASSA Contact Information
SASSA R350 Grant FAQs
R350 Application Conclusion
Millions of people in South Africa have relied on the SASSA SRD R350 grant since it was introduced in October 2020. It was introduced to help unemployed people of South Africa who have no other source of income and facing financial challenges. SRD grant is now an essential part of most of the South African population that’s why the government has decided to extend the grant till March 2025 and increase it to R370 from April 2024.
