Millions of the R350 SRD grant applications have been declined. PHOTO: iStock
R350 SRD: Latest application statistics show millions declined
The Department of Social Development said that 57% of applicants for the R350 SRD grant are women and the youth make up 60%.
Millions of the R350 SRD grant applications have been declined. PHOTO: iStock
Applications for the R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant were continuing. While the draft regulations are open for public comment, there was a huge number of applicants who were declined.
Out of the 11.4 million applicants in June, less than half were approved. According to the Department of Social Development, only 5.2 million were approved.
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LATEST APPLICATION FIGURES FOR R350 SRD GRANT
As of 30 June this year, the SRD application figures are as follows:
A total of 11.4 million people applied. 43% are male and the remaining 57% are women. Caregivers of child-support grant beneficiaries account for 4 million of the applicants.
Foreign nationals and non-citizens have also benefited. 21 207 have applied and the majority, 15 882, are special permit holders from Lesotho. 2 133 are asylum seekers and special permit holders from Zimbabwe and Angola at 1 612 and 1 579 respectively.
Youth aged under 35 account for 60% of the applications. 40% of applicants have a matric qualification while 5% have a tertiary qualification.
“So far, SASSA has started paying the June applicants while also back paying the successful reconsiderations from August 2021 onwards. For June 2022, 5.273 million beneficiaries were approved. 3.729 million have been paid,” said social development spokesperson Nomfundo Xulu Lentsoane.
The department apologises for the long delay in assessing the April and May applications. It is aiming to fast-track the assessments, especially the bank verification processes that are currently required by the regulations.
“During the month of July, we will be finalising the outstanding payments for those who are approved for June, and also complete the approvals and payments for the April applications.”
Nomfundo Xulu Lentsoane
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SRD AMENDED REGULATIONS DRAFTED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu has published draft regulations to amend some qualifications for the grant for public comment. The key reason for the amendments relates to the maximum allowable income of an applicant and the application of the bank verification. The third is the requirement for applicants to confirm their need for the grant after three months.
