A good move? COVID relief grant set ‘to be extended’ in 2022

The COVID relief grant has been in place for well over a year now. It’s been extended once and now looks set to be extended again next year. With calls coming from inside parts of government for a Universal Basic Income, the COVID grant could soon become a permanent fixture.

Will the COVID relief grant be extended?

Officially titled the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, it’s seen those South Africans who do not benefit from grants, have R350 in their pockets each month.

A new report from City Press claims that the COVID relief grant will be extended for another full year. This will reportedly be announced during Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s February budget speech. The publication reports that a Presidency official revealed that National Treasury has been told that it will have to find the money to continue the grant.

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But maybe the most interesting claim from the report? The fact that government sources say there have been several discussions over increasing the grant. That would be a possible rise from R350 to R460.

Extending the grant by a year would require between R40 to R52 billion. The final figure would depend on whether a potential increase is approved.

How to apply for the grant

Over 9 million people are currently receiving the grant. To qualify, you must be unemployed and not receive any income or other social grant. Once the initial 6 months of the grant came to an end, applicants had to reapply due to the extension. If you wish to apply, you can follow the steps below.

WhatsApp: 0600 123 456 and select SASSA 
USSD: *134*7737#
E-mail: SRD@sassa.gov.za(link sends e-mail)
Call centre IVR: 0800 60 10 11
Website:  https://srd.sassa.gov.za