Here is when you can collect your SASSA grants in April. Images: Stock/Canva/X/SASSA
SASSA released the March payment dates for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant). Here is when you can collect yours.
Here is when you can collect your SASSA grants in April. Images: Stock/Canva/X/SASSA
SASSA has released March payment dates for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant).
Government has extended the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) until March 2025 while it considers social security policy reforms and a funding model.
The grant was introduced to support low-income individuals affected by the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delivering the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said R34 billion has been allocated to extend the grant by another year.
“Over the medium term, a provisional allocation is retained while a comprehensive review of the entire social grant system is finalised. The 2023 Budget indicated that the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant was only funded until March 2024.
“Government proposes that the fiscal framework make provision for funding for the grant for 2024/25. Beyond this, a comprehensive review of the entire social grant system by the Department of Social Development and the National Treasury is required,”
Godongwana said.
Meanwhile, SASSA released the April payment dates for the other SASSA grants:
Godongwana also confirmed that the permanent SASSA grants will be INCREASED in his 2024 Budget Speech.
Permanent social grants are increased to keep pace with inflation and increase access:
“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. Work is currently underway to improve the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year.”
Godongwana said.
He furthermore said the National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations.
“These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework.
“For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised.”