SASSA SRD Grant Eligibility 2026/2027: R370, Income Limit and Appeals

South Africa · SRD Grant · Eligibility

Independent informational guide · Last reviewed 4 July 2026

The Social Relief of Distress Grant currently provides R370 per month to an approved applicant who meets the eligibility requirements for the relevant assessment period.

Approval is not based only on whether a person is unemployed. SASSA also considers age, residence, recognised status, financial means, other social assistance and the information available through its verification process.

Is the SRD Grant still available in 2026?

Yes. The current government allocation extends the SRD Grant until 31 March 2027.

The amount remains R370 per approved applicant per month. The extension does not mean that every applicant will be approved for every month.

Who may qualify for the SRD Grant?

SASSA assesses each applicant individually. The main published requirements include:

• ✓ Be at least 18 years old and younger than 60.
• ✓ Currently reside within South Africa.
• ✓ Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, refugee, qualifying special-permit holder or asylum seeker with valid recognised documentation.
• ✓ Be registered on the Department of Home Affairs database or on an accepted SASSA database with a recognised identifying number.
• ✓ Have insufficient financial means under the applicable assessment rules.
• ✓ Not receive another social grant in respect of yourself for the same period.
• ✓ Not be maintained or cared for in a government-funded or government-subsidised institution.
• ✓ Not have unreasonably refused an available employment or educational opportunity.

Which recognised statuses are included?

Current official eligibility guidance includes:

• ✓ South African citizens.
• ✓ Permanent residents.
• ✓ Refugees.
• ✓ Asylum seekers whose Section 22 permit or visa is valid.
• ✓ Holders of the Special Angolan Dispensation.
• ✓ Holders of the Lesotho Exemption Permit.
• ✓ Holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit.

The applicant’s status or permit must be valid and capable of verification through the relevant official records.

What does the R624 income threshold mean?

The published regulatory threshold for insufficient means is R624 per person for the relevant month.

This means that “unemployed with absolutely no income” is not a complete description of the test. A person may have limited or occasional financial activity, but the information assessed for the month must remain within the applicable rules.

SASSA may consider:

• ✓ Information declared by the applicant.
• ✓ A screening questionnaire.
• ✓ Government or social-security databases.
• ✓ Financial and bank-verification information available through the authorised process.

Can more than one person at the same address apply?

The SRD Grant is assessed for the individual applicant. The published criteria do not establish a general rule limiting the benefit to one person per residential address.

Two or more adults living at the same address may each be assessed. Each person must independently meet the age, residence, financial and other requirements.

How the application and assessment process works

The SRD process is primarily electronic. Applicants must provide accurate identity, contact and payment information and consent to the required verification checks.

1. 1 The applicant provides the required information through the current official SRD application channel.
2. 2 Identity, age, residence, permit and other information may be checked against authorised records.
3. 3 SASSA assesses whether the applicant meets the financial and other requirements for the relevant period.
4. 4 An outcome is made available through the official process. A declined decision should include a reason and information about the right to appeal.
5. 5 Eligibility may be assessed again for later payment periods. Approval for one period does not guarantee approval for all later periods.

How to apply or check a status safely

Only use current official SASSA or Department of Social Development channels when applying, checking an outcome, changing information or lodging an appeal.

Official online addresses can change or be temporarily unavailable. Confirm the correct SRD channel through the official SASSA contact page before entering an ID number, mobile number or banking information.

Confirm the current process through the official SASSA contact page.

Why an application may be declined

Applicants should review the exact official reason for the relevant period rather than assume that the problem was caused by a phone number, bank account or previous application.

How the SRD appeal process works

SRD appeals are considered by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals, also known as the ITSAA.

An appeal should be submitted for each rejected period that the applicant wishes to dispute.

Official guidance says an appeal may be submitted within 30 days, but not later than 90 days after the decision. Applicants should act as soon as possible.

1. 1 Check the official rejection reason for the relevant period.
2. 2 Confirm that the personal and contact information used for the application is correct.
3. 3 Submit a separate appeal for every rejected period being disputed.
4. 4 Keep proof of submission and check the result through the official appeal channel.

Confirm the current SRD appeal channel through the Department of Social Development appeal page.

Approved but not yet paid

An approved outcome does not necessarily mean that money has already been released. Payment may still depend on identity and payment-detail verification.

Applicants should keep their own contact number current and provide accurate banking or payment information through the official process.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

SRD rules, application channels and administrative procedures can change. Confirm important information before entering personal or banking details.

• South African Government — SRD qualification criteria, January 2026
• National Treasury — 2026 Budget Review and SRD extension
• Government Gazette — SRD eligibility and appeal regulations
• Government Gazette — R624 income-threshold amendment
• Department of Social Development — SRD appeals
• SASSA official contact details