covid relief grant

Many of the people queuing for their COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant at Makhado post office came from out of town, some from as far away as 87 kilometres. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare

Do you qualify for the Covid-19 grant? Here are the eligibility criteria

A Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 per month. Check here to see if you qualify, how to apply and to track your application.

covid relief grant

Many of the people queuing for their COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant at Makhado post office came from out of town, some from as far away as 87 kilometres. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare

Applications are open for the government’s reinstituted R350 social relief of distress grant but do you qualify for the grant? 

The eligibility criteria for the Covid-19 grant:

A Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 per month as indicated in the Directions is payable for the period indicated therein to a person who is:

  • a South African Citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee registered on the Home Affairs database and persons who are holders of special permits under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit dispensation and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation, and asylum seekers whose section 22 permits or visas are valid or were valid on 15 March 2020;
  • ​Currently residing within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;
  • ​above the age of 18 and below the age of 60;
  • ​unemployed;
  • ​not receiving any social grant in respect of himself or herself;
  • ​not receiving an unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive an unemployment insurance benefit;
  • ​not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other financial aid;
  • ​not receiving any other government COVID-19 response support; and
  • ​not a resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

Care givers who are not receiving any grant on their own behalf will also have to apply for the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant.

“We would like to reiterate that only those who meet the criteria and have no financial support from any source should apply for this grant.

She said it is also important to emphasise that the previous SRD grant expired on 30 April 2021, and this means that all those who had previously applied must re-apply again. 

Each applicant need only apply once – thereafter, the application will be considered monthly.

How to apply: 

All applications are done electronic/digitally and any of the following frontline application channels may be used; 

  • Firstly, through the website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za;
  • Through our WhatsApp line on 082 046 8553; or
  • The USSD line *134*7737#
  •  

“Please note that an application should be submitted through only one of the above channels – it is not necessary to submit multiple applications. Confirmation will be received as soon as the application has been successfully submitted.”

ALSO READ: R350 grant: What happens if SASSA declines my application?