Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has reiterated that there will be no automatic qualification for the new social relief grant.
She maintained that qualified must include previous beneficiaries, provide Sassa for verification to reapply.

This is to ensure adherence to the law, including the new POPI Act, as well as to identify those whose financial situation had improved since March last year, among other reasons.

Zulu addressed the media following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reopening of the grant over a week ago.

When to receive the R350 grant?

Zulu Lindiwe explains that recipients can get theirs from Friday 6th of August, 2021.
Caregivers who do not receive any social support from government have been added, among other beneficiaries of the social relief of distress grant.

Who are eligible for R350 Grant?

Those eligible for the grant include unemployed South Africans aged between 18 and 60 who do not receive any social support from government, refugees and asylum seekers whose Section 22 permits or visas are valid or were valid on 15 March 2020.

Successful applicants will be able to withdraw R350 monthly from the end of August until March 2022.

Minister Lindiwe Zulu explained: “In order to access or have applications reconsidered for social relief of distress, and applicants must grant consent for Sassa to verify his or her identity, residence, income or social security benefits with any other institutions deemed necessary by Sassa.”

How to access R350 grant?

Zulu Lindiwe explained that due to social distancing that results from the pandemic, this year’s applications would once again be done electronically.

Applicants are encouraged to conclude their applications when they start making the applications to avoid any technical challenges.

With regards to previous grant benefits. Outstanding payments are in the region on 45 414 (transactions) from approved but unable to trace applicants or they did not contact SASSA to update their personal details. A total of 571 724 grants approved remain uncollected at SAPO.

FAQ

Can care-givers apply for the special Covid-19 SRD grant?

Should previous recipients of the special Covid-19 SRD grant re-apply?

An appeal is made to all citizens to only apply for this grant if they have no financial support from any other source.

Uncollected special Covid-19 SRD grants from the previous cycle must be collected by 31 August 2021.