The SRD grant is one of the most popular grants from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). The grant helps almost 8.2 million people to buy food and pay for groceries.  However, the SASSA SRD grant, or Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, was only introduced for 6 months in 2020. Later, the grant was extended every year, and it is still active in 2026.

SASSA SRD Status Check

The last date for the SRD grant is set to 31 March 2028. You can apply for this R370 grant only using the official SRD online portal. There is no other way, such as WhatsApp, Moya App, or GovChat, to apply for the SRD grant. Follow this complete guide to apply for the grant online.

SASSA SRD R370 Grant Overview

MetricData
Grant Launch Year2020
Original PurposeCOVID-19 lockdown relief for struggling households
Initial Duration6 months
Current Duration6 years (2020–2026)
Current Monthly PaymentR370
Previous Monthly PaymentR350
Total Estimated Cost Since LaunchR187.99 billion
Current Beneficiaries8.2 million
Cancelled Applications34,661
Extension PeriodUntil 31 March 2028

Date Source: Dailyinvestor.com

Before SRD application submission, you need to know the SASSA grant application consent and declaration:

Consent:

  1. Applicants accept that SASSA has the right to collect and process applicants’ personal information for the application assessment.
  2. SASSA has the right to counter-verify applicant details with government departments such as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), banks, and other institutions.
  3. SASSA may check the applicant’s income, identity, financial status, and criminal records.
  4. SASSA can collect personal information of applicants from institutions such as Home Affairs, SARS, banks, and other official sources.
  5. Any false or misleading information will result in rejection of the SRD application.
  6. SASSA has the right to share your information with relevant departments.
  7. The SRD portal can collect your IP address and device information for security reasons.
  8. Your personal data will be stored in the database as long as it is needed for grant-related matters.
  9. Applicants have the right to request the removal of personal information from the SASSA database, access the data, and request correction under privacy regulations.
  10. Applicants are allowing SASSA to process information according to POPIA requirements.

Declaration:

  1. Only South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees with valid special permits can apply for the SRD grant.
  2. Applicants have to confirm their residency with the Republic of South Africa.
  3. The age of the applicant should be between 18 and 69 years.
  4. The applicant confirms insufficient financial means for basic support.
  5. Applicants have to confirm that they are not receiving any other SASSA social grant, such as the Old Age grant, NSFAS funding, or unemployment insurance.
  6. The applicant is not a beneficiary of any other government COVID-19 support programs.
  7. The applicants are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all the information they have provided.
  8. Applicants have to update SASSA immediately whenever their personal or financial details change.
  9. The applicant accepts responsibility for providing a valid mobile number for official communication.
  10. The applicant acknowledges legal consequences for false or misleading information under POPIA and related laws.

SASSA SRD Grant Application Online

Since the launch of the SRD grant, the application procedures have been changed. In 2020, applicants were able to apply for this grant using WhatsApp or GovChat applications. However, in 2026, there is only one way to apply for the SRD grant, and that is by using the SRD portal online.

Let’s start with the guide. Take your phone or laptop in your hand, connect to a secure internet connection, and follow my steps.

1) Visit the Official SASSA Portal: Srd.sassa.gov.za

SASSA has launched a dedicated portal for SRD grant applicants and beneficiaries. The portal’s URL is “https://srd.sassa.gov.za/”. It is the official website where SASSA grant applicants can do the SASSA status check and apply for the SRD grant as well.

Go to the official SASSA portal and choose between “South African ID Holders” or “Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders” according to your ID type.

As most of the applicants are South African ID holders, we will go with the first option. However, the process is the same for Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders.

2) Proceed to the “Click Here to Apply Online” Option

Click Here to Apply Online

On the next page, you will see many options related to the SRD grant. However, you have to tap on the “Click Here to Apply Online” option. It will take you to a new page where SASSA will ask for your phone number.

Just enter your phone number and tap on the “Send SMS” button. It will send an OTP to your provided mobile phone number for verification of the number.

send SMS

Enter the 6-digit code back into the SRD portal and tap on the “Verify PIN” button.

verify PIN

3) Read and Accept SRD Grant Declaration and Consent

Once your PIN is verified, you will see the SRD grant declaration and consent page. Here, you need to agree to all the declarations and consents.

Read and Accept SRD Grant Declaration and Consent

4) Enter Your Personal Details

From now on, you will see the SRD grant application form. You will be asked to enter your:

  • ID number (mentioned on your green ID document or Smart ID card)
  • Full name
  • Surname

Now tap on the “Verify Identity” button. The system will verify your ID details with the database of the Department of Home Affairs.

Next, you will be asked to enter the following details. Make sure you only enter accurate and valid information.

  • Email
  • Gender
  • Highest Education Qualification
  • Disability (Yes/No)
  • Citizenship
  • Address Line 1
  • Address Line 2
  • City
  • Province
  • District
  • Municipality
  • Ward Number
  • Cell Phone Number

After entering all the details, tap on the “Submit” button.

5) Provide Banking Details

In this step, SASSA will issue a 6-digit application ID or AppID to you. You need to keep this ID safe, as it will be used for future matters.

Now, you will see the option “Current Payment Option,” and it will be shown as “None”. You need to choose a payment option, such as a bank account or a cash grant payment via Pick n Pay or Shoprite.

Choose the payment method according to your preferences. If you have chosen “Bank Account,” then you need to provide the following details:

  • Request Post Bank Account: For those who want to get SRD payment via Post Bank.
  • Capture Own Bank Account: For those who already have a bank account and want to receive SRD payment in that account.

Note: You can only add a bank account that is registered in your name. No third-party bank accounts are allowed.

Those who have chosen Own Bank have to provide the following details:

  • Bank name
  • Bank branch
  • Account type
  • Account number

Once you have entered all the details, tap on the Submit button. Your application will be marked as submitted successfully. Now you only need to check your SRD status regularly on the official SRD portal to know your application approval status.

F.A.Q

Yes, you can submit a new application after correcting the issue that caused the decline.

You need to visit the SRD status check portal: srd.sassa.gov.za. Then enter your South African ID number and phone number to check your SRD payment approval status.

Approval usually takes 7 to 30 working days, depending on verification speed.

Yes, banking details can be updated anytime on the official SRD portal.

You must update your number immediately on the SRD system to avoid payment delays.

Yes, applicants can submit an appeal through the SRD appeal process online.

Yes, payments can be collected through approved retail partners like Shoprite or Pick n Pay.