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Chapter 7
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COVID-19 Special Social Relief of Distress Grant (R370 GRANT)

WHAT IS THE SPECIAL SOCIAL RELIEF OF DISTRESS (SRD) R370 GRANT?

The COVID-19 special social relief of distress grant (Special SRD R370 grant) was introduced by government as an emergency grant in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support people who were not receiving any other form of income or social grant.

The Special SRD R370 grant provides a monthly payment of R370 to people who have insufficient means and meet certain criteria. The Special SRD R370 grant has been extended to 31 March 2025.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT?

These are the requirements to qualify for the Special SRD R370 grant: Citizenship:

  • Citizenship: Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee registered with the Department of Home Affairs
  • Age: Must be between the ages of 18 and 60 years
  • Income: Must not earn more than R620 per month.
  • Unemployment: Must be unemployed and not receive any other form of income or social grants or money from the UIF.

SASSA will conduct a means test to assess a person’s financial situation including their household to determine if they qualify for the R370 SRD grant.

WHAT IS THE MEANS TEST FOR THE SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT?

Applicants must not earn more than R620 per month.

WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED WHEN APPLYING FOR A SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT?

When applying for a Special SRD R370 grant, applicants will have to read, agree to and sign two forms:

  • The declaration form, and
  • The consent form.

SASSA needs these forms to verify and validate the information provided in the application. Go to the SASSA website for links to these documents: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/

The following information is required for the application:

  • ID number or special permit if the applicant is not a South African citizen
  • Full name and surname (as stated in the ID)
  • Phone number (SASSA will use this number to contact the applicant regarding their status)
  • Physical address

TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT

Applicants must apply for the Special SRD R370 grant through the specified channels set up by SASSA. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose an application method:

  • Apply via WhatsApp
    • Send a message to 082-046-8553
    • Provide personal details
    • You will receive a Reference number, an OTP and a link to click
    • Click on the link, fill in the OTP and verify the account
    • . Fill in your surname and ID number
    • Confirm the personal details that were provided via the WhatsApp chat.
  • Apply via the SRD website
    • Go to the SRD Website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za/
    • Click on the correct block for either South African ID holders or Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders
    • You will receive a 6-digit OTP via SMS
    • Insert the OTP number on the SRD website and click ‘verify pin’
  • Apply via the SASSA Chatbot
    • Go to the SASSA website
    • Click on the Special SRD R370 Grant assistance chatbox (orange box on the side of the screen)
    • Fill in your ID number and mobile number
    • On the chat, choose the option to apply for the SRD R370 grant
    • Click on the SRD website link provided by the SASSA Chatbot
    • Follow the SRD Website steps.

Step 2: Agree to the terms and conditions

  • Read and agree to the clauses on the Declaration and the Consent forms.
  • Read and agree to the clauses on the You and your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant document

Step 3: Provide your personal details

Provide the following information:

  • ID number
  • Full name and surname
  • Gender
  • Physical address
  • Contact information (mobile number, email address)

Step 4: Choose the payment option

New applicants with a personal bank account must provide banking details including:

  • Bank name
  • Account number
  • Branch name
  • Account type

If you don’t have a bank account you can select Cash Send as the payment option.

Step 5: Receive an SMS

You will receive an SMS notifying you of your banking details. After receiving this SMS, the Special SRD R370 Grant application is active.

Step 6: SASSA Verification and validation

SASSA verifies your personal information like your ID number, and name against the Department of Home Affairs database. It matches your ID number against approved databases such as UIF, SARS, NSFAS, etc. Your application is either approved or declined with reasons.

REASONS FOR REJECTING A SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT APPLICATION

  • You have been employed and have made contributions to income tax
  • Your personal details and contact details in your application do not match the ones from the Department of Home Affairs
  • You are receiving another social grant, other than a child grant
  • You are registered for a National Student Fund Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary
  • You qualify for UIF benefits OR contribute to UIF OR are currently receiving a UIF benefit
  • You are employed in a government institution
  • You do not meet the age requirements or are above the age of 60. If you are over the age of 60, you may qualify for the Old Age Grant
  • You are registered as deceased on the Department of Home Affairs database

If you have been rejected for one of these reasons, you will not be eligible for a Special SRD R370 grant from SASSA. However, if you submit an appeal and SASSA finds that you do qualify for a grant, you will be paid from the month that you submitted your application. (See How to submit an appeal for a Special SRD R370 grant).

CHECKING YOUR APPLICATION STATUS FOR THE SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT

You can check your application status online by completing the following steps: Visit the SASSA SRD website: https://www.sassa-status.co.za/. You will be asked to fill in your ID number and cell number that you used when you submitted your application. Check the progress of your grant.

You should check your status regularly so that if your application has been rejected you can appeal this decision as soon as possible. If your SASSA SRD application has been rejected, you can appeal the decision.

HOW IS THE SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT PAID OUT?

Bank account

Once you submit your application and choose this as your payment method, you will have to include your bank account details as part of your application. You will then be able to withdraw your R370 at any ATM as soon as it has been paid. SASSA will verify your bank details when you apply. This is because SASSA has to ensure you do not exceed the income threshold for the grant relief. If a person has more than R620 in their bank account their application for the relief grant will be rejected. You need to submit your own banking details as a SRD R370 grant cannot be paid into a bank account that does not belong to the applicant.

CashSend Services

If you don’t have a bank account you can also receive your grant through CashSend services. Beneficiaries use their ID numbers and phone numbers to access their grant money. You must have a cell phone with a registered cell phone number and proof of identification. The cell phone number must be registered to your name as this is how SASSA verifies that the grant money is going to the correct beneficiary.

Shoprite Group Checkers, Pick n Pay and Boxer Stores

You can also access your SRD R370 grant by visiting a Checkers, Boxer or Pick n Pay store. You will not be able to collect your grants at BP Pick n Pay Express, Pick n Pay Clothing and Pick n Pay liquor stores. You can also get your grant payments at any of the Shoprite Group supermarkets, including Checkers, USave, OK and Shoprite stores.

WHEN IS A SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT PAID OUT?

There is no set R370 grant payment date so beneficiaries are paid out for the months that they qualify. SRD grants are not paid out on days when other SASSA grant payments are done.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPEAL FOR A SPECIAL SRD R370 GRANT

If you think SASSA has unfairly or incorrectly rejected your application, you can submit an appeal. You must do this within 90 days of your application being rejected.

Follow these steps for the Special R370 SRD grant appeal process:

1. Visit the SASSA appeals website:  https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal

2. Click on the green bar that says ‘Click here to lodge an appeal or check appeal status’.

3. Enter your ID number.

4. Enter your cell number.

5. Click ‘send pin’ and wait for the SMS which will contain the verification pin.

6. Enter the pin into the bar and click ‘submit’.

7. Select the month you are submitting an appeal for.

8. Select the drop-down arrow and choose the reason for your appeal.

9. Click the submit button.

Tracking your appeal status for the Special SRD R370 grant

If you want to track your appeal status follow these steps:

Or you can call the SASSA Call Centre on their toll-free number which is 0800 601 011. If you’ve already submitted an appeal, you should not submit another appeal or contact the SASSA office. You will be informed of the outcome of your appeal through confirmation via SMS.