A Social Relief of Distress Grant is a temporary form of support – in voucher, cash or food – for people that are in crisis and in need of immediate help to survive. The amount of temporary relief will usually be equivalent to the amount of a grant that the person would qualify for and it will only be given for a maximum of three months.

You can apply for an extension of the relief for another three months but it will only be given in exceptional cases. A social worker or officer, referred by SASSA, will be sent to check your situation and write a report to qualify for further extension. Because this is supposed to be for immediate relief, the application should not take long to process.

Also See COVID-19 Special Social Relief of Distress Grant (R370 Grant)