South Africa · Social Relief of Distress
Independent informational guide · Last reviewed July 2026
Millions of South Africans receive R370 every month from the government through the SRD Grant — eligibility depends on SASSA’s assessment of the criteria below.
Important: Coches is an independent informational publisher. It is not SASSA, does not process applications and cannot determine or guarantee eligibility, approval or payment.
CONTINUE TO THE FULL SRD GUIDE →Continues to a related article on this website
R370
paid per month
8–13M+
people receiving nationally
Extended until 31 March 2027. Some of this grant’s rules are currently subject to an ongoing court process — see the note further down.
Basic requirements
According to the official criteria, the SRD Grant is for people aged 18 to 60 with insufficient means. If you are 60 or older, the Older Persons Grant may be the applicable route instead, and it pays a higher amount.
- ✓ South African citizen, permanent resident, recognised refugee, asylum seeker, or holder of a qualifying special permit
- ✓ Between 18 and 60 years old
- ✓ Insufficient means (income currently assessed against a monthly threshold)
- ✓ Not receiving any other social grant, UIF or NSFAS support
- ✓ Living in South Africa
Quick check — tap the ones that apply to you
I am South African, a permanent resident, refugee, asylum seeker, or special permit holder
I am between 18 and 60 years old
I have no fixed income or job
I am not receiving any other SASSA grant, UIF or NSFAS
I do not live in a government institution
Based on what you selected — 0 of 5 criteria match. This is not a status check or an application — SASSA’s own assessment determines eligibility. Review the full criteria to learn more.
People without formal employment or UIF benefits often meet the main criteria. If a health condition affects your ability to work, it may also be worth reviewing the
Disability Grant, which pays up to R2,400 per month.
Continues to a related article on this website
A court case is currently affecting some of this grant’s rules
A high court ruling has found some SRD regulations — including the online-only application requirement, the income threshold and the grant’s value — unconstitutional. The government has appealed, and the case is still pending. Until it’s resolved, the current rules described here remain the ones in effect.
Other SASSA grants
SASSA also administers other grants, including the Child Support Grant (R580 per child per month) for caregivers, and the Care Dependency Grant for families with children who require full-time care. A person cannot receive the SRD Grant while already receiving one of these other social grants for themselves.
Already receiving, but payments stopped?
Because eligibility is reassessed every month, a payment can stop from one cycle to the next. Common causes include outdated contact or banking details, or information that no longer matches official records. This applies across SASSA grants generally — if someone in your household receives the Child Support Grant or the Older Persons Grant, similar data issues can affect those payments too.
- ✗ Phone number changed and not updated on the SASSA profile
- ✗ Bank account details no longer matching the name on record
- ✗ Income identified through the monthly database checks
- ✗ ID details not matching current Home Affairs records
If a payment stops, check your status on the SASSA portal to see the reason, and correct any outdated details. If declined, you have the right to appeal within 90 days.
CONTINUE TO THE FULL SRD GUIDE →Continues to a related article on this website
Frequently asked questions
What is the SRD Grant?
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant is a monthly payment of R370 provided by the South African government through SASSA to support people with insufficient means. Other grants include the
Child Support Grant (R580 per child per month) and the
Older Persons Grant (R2,400–R2,420 per month for those 60 and older).
Is the SRD Grant still active in 2026/2027?
Yes. It has been extended until 31 March 2027. Applications are processed through the official SASSA portal at srd.sassa.gov.za, though some of its rules are currently subject to an ongoing court process.
How much is the SRD Grant per month?
R370 per month per approved applicant. If you’re caring for a child, the
Child Support Grant pays R580 per child and is a separate grant from the SRD Grant.
Can I apply if I’ve never received the grant before?
Yes. New applications are accepted at any time through the SASSA portal, regardless of whether you’ve applied before.
What if my application was declined before?
A previous decline doesn’t permanently disqualify you. Eligibility is reassessed monthly, so a change in your circumstances or details could lead to a different outcome in a later cycle.
Are there other grants I may qualify for?
Possibly. If a disability or health condition affects your ability to work, see the
Disability Grant. If you care for a child with a severe disability, see the
Care Dependency Grant. If you’re 60 or older, see the
Older Persons Grant. A person generally cannot receive more than one main social grant for themselves at the same time.
Continues to a related article on this website