No new R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant applications will be processed until Covid-19 regulations have been amended. This is according to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.
The grant was introduced and distributed under the Disaster Management Act in 2020 to assist those who lost economic opportunities and were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the grant until March 2023.
Speaking on SAfm, Letsatsi said new applications for grants will be processed only after the government amends the regulations to shift it from the Disaster Management Act to the Social Assistance Act.
He said the shift will not affect payments of those who have already been approved.
“Since the state of disaster ended, the grant now has to be included under the Social Assistance Act. Sassa cannot process applications without making sure that the law is followed.
“It is just an administrative arrangement that we are confident will be resolved and not leave people behind. We don't want people to panic,” said Letsatsi.
No response on R350 grant? Sassa will process new applications only after regulations are amended
Image: SA government via Twitter
No new R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant applications will be processed until Covid-19 regulations have been amended. This is according to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.
The grant was introduced and distributed under the Disaster Management Act in 2020 to assist those who lost economic opportunities and were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the grant until March 2023.
Speaking on SAfm, Letsatsi said new applications for grants will be processed only after the government amends the regulations to shift it from the Disaster Management Act to the Social Assistance Act.
He said the shift will not affect payments of those who have already been approved.
“Since the state of disaster ended, the grant now has to be included under the Social Assistance Act. Sassa cannot process applications without making sure that the law is followed.
“It is just an administrative arrangement that we are confident will be resolved and not leave people behind. We don't want people to panic,” said Letsatsi.
What will happen to the R350 grant when the state of disaster ends? Dlamini-Zuma clears the air
Last month, co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reassured beneficiaries that the grant would continue when the national state of disaster came to an end.
“The payment of R350 will continue but will be removed from the national disaster management after 30 days and will continue through other means,” she said.
The new proposed Covid-19 regulations have been gazetted and the public has until April 25 to comment on these.
People can send their comments to tsakani.furumele@health.gov.za or legalreviews@health.gov.za; or via WhatsApp on 0600 123456.
When can I collect my R350 grant payment at a post office this month?
Post office payment dates are according to the last three digits of a beneficiary’s ID number.
Here’s when you can collect your money at a post office this month:
April 22: 080 & 085
April 25: 081 & 086
April 26: 082 & 087
April 28: 083 & 088
April 29: 084 & 089
READ MORE:
Sassa increases food vouchers to R3,960 for families who lost loved ones in KZN — What you need to know
KZN government appeals to funeral conductors to stop creating 'false sense of alarm' in mortuaries
Durban Post Office open for business after flooding — here’s when you can collect your Sassa R350 grant
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