Will the grant be made permanent?
President Cyril Ramaphosa said in parliament last month the grant would be maintained until March 2024 while government looks into other social support measures.
“We are looking at how we move beyond the SRD grant. There have been calls for the basic income grant to be introduced which will support a number of people, and that is being considered,” he said.
When asked if the government has considered turning the grant into a permanent programme, Ramaphosa said several options were being explored.
“South Africa already provides extensive social security support through grants that reach more than 46 per cent of the population. As we work to build the economy and create employment, we remain committed to finding appropriate mechanisms to support all those people who need assistance from the state within the resources available.”
R350 grant rollout extended to 2024, do I need to reapply?
Image: South African Government via Twitter
Those who receive government’s R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant do not need to reapply in April, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) says.
The R350 grant was introduced to assist those who faced difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic and was supposed to come to an end in March 2023. Last year the grant was extended to March 2024.
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“The grant will continue as normal, those who previously applied for the grant do not need to reapply,” said Sassa.
Sassa has warned that it checks monthly if people still qualify for the grant and for those whose circumstances have changed, the grant could be stopped.
Will the grant be made permanent?
President Cyril Ramaphosa said in parliament last month the grant would be maintained until March 2024 while government looks into other social support measures.
“We are looking at how we move beyond the SRD grant. There have been calls for the basic income grant to be introduced which will support a number of people, and that is being considered,” he said.
When asked if the government has considered turning the grant into a permanent programme, Ramaphosa said several options were being explored.
“South Africa already provides extensive social security support through grants that reach more than 46 per cent of the population. As we work to build the economy and create employment, we remain committed to finding appropriate mechanisms to support all those people who need assistance from the state within the resources available.”
R350 social relief of distress grant has cost taxpayers R45bn since start of Covid-19
Where can I collect the R350 grant?
Supermarkets such as Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave stores offer the grant payouts.
Approved for the R350 grant? Don't head to a post office to collect your payment
Who still qualifies for the grant?
According to Sassa, those applying for the grant must be permanent SA residents or refugees registered with Home Affairs, above the age of 18 and unemployed. A person receiving any other grant, unemployment insurance benefit (UIF) or stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) does not qualify.
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