Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 Grant

Apply for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant and get a R370 monthly payment from SASSA. If you are an unemployed woman or man with a South African ID, you can apply for this grant.

The grant was started in May 2020 when the whole world was fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early days, the grant was a temporary relief fund for those who lost their income during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This page covers all the helpful, necessary details about the SASSA SRD R370 grant. I have added all the guides, such as the application, appeal, checking status, and payment dates.

SRD R370 Grant

SRD grant has 8.2 million beneficiaries in 2026. This number has been increasing since the grant started. However, the eligibility for this grant is now more difficult than in the early days. It was started as a temporary relief for citizens who lost their source of income during the COVID-19 lockdown.

But later, the SRD grant got extensions whenever it was near its end. Today, the grant amount is R370, and it started at R350. Also, the grant has been extended to March 2028.

The government of South Africa is contributing the funds for this social relief programme. Applicants can apply for the SRD grant electronically using the official SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za. There is no physical way to apply for this grant.

There is a chance that the SRD grant will convert into the Basic Income Support (BIS) grant in the future. However, this is not confirmed yet. The government has only announced the news but has not started the new grant.

R370 Payment Eligibility Disclosure

Not everyone can receive the SASSA R370 SRD payment. SASSA checks several personal, financial, and social conditions before approving an application. Your age, residency status, income, access to other financial support, and living arrangements can all affect your eligibility.

If you want to apply for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) payment in 2026, check these requirements before submitting your application:

• South African citizens who have permanent residency in South Africa and Refugees who are registered with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
• People who are residents of the Republic of South Africa.
• Unemployed and receiving no income.
• 18 to 59 years of age.
• Should not be a beneficiary of an unemployment insurance benefit.
• Should not be a beneficiary of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
• Should not be living in any government-subsidised institution.
• Bank statements should be below R624 per month for a review period.

What Information is Needed for Application?

You must have the following information:

• South African issued ID card and identity number
• Your full legal name
• Residency proof
• Cellphone number
• Disability (if there is any)
• Gender
• Banking details (Bank account number and bank name)
• Sign the consent that you grant permission to SASSA to cross-verify your personal information with UIF, SARS, DHA, POPIA, and banks.

Note: There is no need to upload a scan of any ID or other document for the SRD application.

Submit SRD R370 Grant Application Online

I have already published a detailed guide on the SRD grant application that you can read for the detailed application process. However, here is a short guide on how to submit an SRD grant application online.

Important SRD Application Warning: SASSA does not process paper forms for the SRD grant. The application must be completed through the official digital application process. Be careful of anyone claiming to sell an “SRD application form” or offering guaranteed approval for a fee. You should not pay someone simply to obtain or submit an SRD application form.

1. Go to the official SASSA website: srd.sassa.gov.za.
2. Tap on the “Click Here to Apply Online” option.
3. Enter your cellphone number and tap on the “Send SMS” button.
4. Receive a 6-digit code on your phone via SMS and verify it on the SRD portal.
5. Accept all the SASSA Declaration and Consent forms.
6. Provide your personal information such as:
   1. ID number
   2. Phone number
   3. Full legal or ID printed name
   4. Email
   5. Gender
   6. Citizenship
   7. Disability status
   8. Address
   9. Municipality
   10. Ward number
7. Choose a payment method: bank transfer or cash pickup.
8. Submit the application and wait for approval or a final decision from SASSA.

Application Status Description

SRD Grant Payment Dates Explained

SRD grant payment dates are not fixed in the same way as the Older Persons Grant or Disability Grant payment schedule. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant uses a monthly processing system because each application must go through verification before payment is released.

SASSA checks the applicant’s information and verifies the application against relevant records. The application can then be approved or declined based on the verification results. When an application is approved, SASSA assigns a payment date based on the processing batch.

These batches can be arranged using groups of ID number endings, such as 00, 080, and 081. This means two approved applicants may receive different payment dates during the same month.

SRD payments often take place during the latter part of the month, but the exact date can change from one payment cycle to another. Applicants should check their SRD status for the latest payment information instead of relying on a fixed monthly date.

SASSA Means Test for R624 Per Month Expenses Threshold

SASSA uses financial information to assess whether an SRD applicant meets the income requirements. For the current SRD rules, the means test looks at money received during the assessment period. If the amount counted by SASSA is above the applicable threshold, the application can be declined.

The following types of income or financial activity can affect an SRD application:

• Pension or salary payments: Regular pension payments, payslips, or salary income can be counted as income.
• Money from family or friends: Cash or electronic payments received from other people can affect the assessment if they are treated as income.
• Freelance services: Payments received for freelance work or other services can be considered when checking financial eligibility.
• Business or SaaS income: Money generated from a SaaS product, online business, or similar commercial activity can affect eligibility.
• High-value assets: Owning a vehicle or expensive property does not automatically mean an applicant receives income, but SASSA may consider available financial information when assessing eligibility.

Some transactions may not create the same eligibility issue. Examples include:

• Transfers between your own bank accounts
• Refunds from stores or service providers
• Reversals of previously made payments
• Certain once-off payments that are not regular income

Applicants should check their SRD status and application information because SASSA makes the final eligibility decision based on the information available during verification.

How to Update Banking Details for SRD Payment?

You can change your banking details for SRD payment at any time. However, changing bank account details will only affect the following payment cycle.

Follow these steps to change your bank account details on the SRD portal online.

• Go to the SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za and tap on the “Click here to change my banking details” option, or you can visit this URL: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/banking-details-update
• Enter your South African ID number in the box and tap on the “send PIN” button.
• Receive a PIN on your mobile phone number and verify it.
• Enter your new bank account details, including your bank account number and branch code.
• Submit the details and wait for approval.

Note: The bank account should be in your name to receive the grant approval and payment.

How to Change SRD Phone Number?

You can update the phone number linked to your SASSA SRD application through the official SRD website. The process requires your South African ID number and some information about your current payment arrangement.

1. Visit the URL: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/mobile-number-update and enter the following details:
   1. South African ID number
   2. Choose a reason for mobile number update:
      1. Lost phone
      2. Use third-party phone
      3. New phone
      4. Captured wrong number
   3. Current payment option:
      1. Cash send
      2. Bank account
2. Submit the details, and that’s all.

SASSA will use the submitted information to process the mobile number update. Enter your details carefully because your registered phone number can be used for SRD payment-related communication and verification.

How to Appeal the Reconsideration for a Declined SRD Application?

If your SASSA SRD application is declined and you believe the decision was made because of incorrect or outdated information, you can lodge an appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) through the Department of Social Development (DSD) appeal portal.

An SRD appeal must generally be submitted within 90 days of the declined decision appearing on the SRD portal. Each declined payment period requires an appeal, so select the specific month or payment window that you want to challenge.

Steps to Appeal a Declined SRD Application

1. Visit the official DSD SRD appeals portal: SASSA SRD Appeals Portal
2. Select “Click here to lodge an appeal.”
3. Enter your 13-digit South African ID number and 10-digit mobile phone number.
4. Select “Send PIN” to receive a verification PIN on your registered mobile number.
5. Enter the PIN and continue to the appeal application.
6. Select the reason for the declined SRD application.
7. Choose the reason for your appeal and provide the requested information.
8. Select the declined application payment period you want to appeal.
9. Review the information you entered and submit the appeal.

After submitting the appeal, check your SRD appeal status regularly through the official portal. The appeal outcome can change after the relevant information has been reviewed by the appeals process.

SRD Contact Information

• WhatsApp: 0600 123 456
• SRD Email: SRD@sassa.gov.za
• SASSA Helpline: 0800 60 10 11
• Official Portal: srd.sassa.gov.za
• Report Fraud: 0800 701 701

F.A.Q