SASSA grants increase april

[FiLE] The Government Gazette details how several social grants will rise in value this month, and again in October 2022 – Image: SASSA / Supplied

SASSA latest: R350 grant ‘could now be extended beyond April’

The fight to keep the R350 grant alive is heading into extra-time. SASSA and Lindiwe Zulu want to extend the payment beyond its upcoming deadline.

SASSA grants increase april

[FiLE] The Government Gazette details how several social grants will rise in value this month, and again in October 2022 – Image: SASSA / Supplied

With the R350 grant heading into its last day of operation tomorrow, millions of South Africans are not ready to say goodbye just yet. The popular SASSA fund has been a lifeline for unemployed and poverty-stricken citizens throughout the pandemic, but it’s set to lapse on Friday – unless Lindiwe Zulu gets her way…

When does the R350 grant expire – and will it be extended?

The Social Development Minister has told EWN that she’s formally requested an extension for the R350 grant. It would be the third time that the SRD handout has been extended past its deadline since coming into force one year ago.

The R350 grant is a likely precursor to a ‘Basic Income Grant’ – which would guarantee every citizen in South Africa some form of financial support from the state. Zulu and her government comrades are highly eager to get this project over the line – but Treasury’s purse strings are now tighter than ever.

Cash-strapped SASSA turns to Treasury

Minister Zulu is painfully aware that a third extension of the SRD grant might be a step too far, but the ANC representative is applying the basic principles of ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’. SASSA and its political partners now face an anxious wait to see if the R350 payments can get one last hurrah in 2021…

“We thank President Cyril Ramaphosa in the first place because it was supposed to be from May to October. He then extended it. We are now waiting to hear from the Treasury. We are not the only ones looking for finance from Treasury, but hope that when they look at the R350 grant, they may look around, maybe find the money, and continue with it.”

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