The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has addressed recent media reports that inaccurately suggested 17 million applications were received in September 2024 for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. SASSA has clarified that this figure represents a cumulative total since April 2022, rather than a surge in a single month.
Monthly SRD grant evaluation process
According to SASSA, the number of applications processed monthly reflects both new submissions and those carried over from previous months. The agency reminded the public that there is no need to reapply every month for the grant.
“SASSA evaluates all applications on a monthly basis,” the agency said, explaining that once an application is approved, it continues to be considered unless circumstances change.
As of May 2024, 17 million clients had applied for the SRD grant.
This clarification came after some news outlets inaccurately reported that over 17 million people applied for the grant in September alone, misleading the public about the current number of new applications.
Increases in Social Relief of Distress Grant and other Social Grants
The SRD grant, commonly called the R350 grant, was increased to R370 starting in April 2024. This change is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to financially support vulnerable South Africans.
Wider Social Grant Increases for 2024
In the 2024 Budget Speech delivered in February, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced increases to various social grants. These increments, designed to help combat inflation and alleviate the financial burden on low-income households, have already been implemented. The details are as follows:
- A R100 increase to the old age, war veterans, disability, and care dependency grants, split into a R90 increase from April and an additional R10 from October.
- A R50 increase to the foster care grant.
- A R20 increase to the child support grant.
“We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet. In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows,” Godongwana stated during the Budget Speech.
How can the government further support vulnerable groups beyond the SRD grant to ensure long-term financial security?
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