SASSA SRD R370, An Overview
The most widely known South African Social Security (SASSA) grant is Social Relief of Distress SRD R350 (Now known as SASSA SRD R370). The grant was recognized as SRD R350 because SASSA paid an amount of R350 to each beneficiary; now, it is enhanced.
In February 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that his government would extend the grant up to SASSA SRD R370 to assist the unemployed in meeting their household needs. He also said the South African government has been trying to reduce poverty for the past three decades.
A 75-year-old President stated during his last speech in his current term at the Cape Town City Hall that the grant was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and currently receives 9 million people monthly. Hence, due to the positive impact of the grant on the unemployed, it would be further extended.
Government’s Efforts to Combat Poverty
In March 2024, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the SRD R350 increase to R20. So, adding the R20, it became SRD R370, and now it will pay to each beneficiary. During this year’s State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the SASSA SRD R370 grant amount will be disbursed from June 2024.
“I am thrilled to announce that we have collaborated with the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, and have finally reached a roadmap for doling out grants for the upcoming fiscal years. Initially, we increased the amount from R350 to R370. It is a great philanthropic step towards ensuring the basic rights of our citizens,” he also explained.
In 1993, more than 70% of South Africans were living below the poverty line. However, as per a World Bank report, by 2010, the percentage reduced to 60.9% and reached 55.5% by 2020. Therefore, the government is determined to continue its efforts to eradicate poverty through its policies, including the increase in SRD R350, which is a step towards achieving this goal.
Allocated Budget for SASSA SRD R370
The SRD R350 grant has remained the same since it was introduced in May 2020, the COVID-19 days. So, it is the first enhancement made in April 2024, and SASSA SRD R370 will be implemented in June 2024. According to the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), R2.2 billion was added to the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Budget due to this SASSA SRD R370 grant increase.
The inflation rate is already high in South Africa, so an increase of R2.2 billion will damage the efforts to boost the economy for the next government. That is why Opposition Parties (Particularly DA) criticize the government (African National Congress) for enhancing budgeting for SRD R370.
SRD R350 Repayment and Basic Income Grant Proposal
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said in an official statement that it was the wrong statement because she believed that her party, the African National Congress, would win the election again effectively. She also countered that they paid back R4.3 billion to the National Treasury Department, which was allocated for the social relief of distress grant SRD R350 in last year’s 2023/24 budget.
Furthermore, she also explained why they repaid the amount that the recipients of the SRD R350 didn’t collect the grant because of improvements in their means. Consequently, the savings in money is returned to the National Treasury.
She asserted that the African National Congress, the government political party, is working on a roadmap to alleviate poverty by implementing a modal “Basic Income Grant.” The other opposition parties are ready to support this new income enhancement model, but the budget for the project has yet to be allocated.
Policy to Recover Grants
A large number of applications have been submitted for the SASSA SRD R370 grant, which has registered some undeserving applicants for the social grant. SASSA mistakenly awarded SRD grants to beneficiaries failing to meet the qualifying criteria. To address the error, SASSA decided to recover the irregular payments from recipients, which is why the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, has introduced a new statute to refine the mistakes. It has been introduced as a law “recovery and uncollected benefits” to recover the payments mistakenly paid to those not entitled to the grant.
How will SASSA do verification on such a large scale?
So, the question is, how will SASSA verify on a large scale? SASSA has yet to the answer. They may conduct reviews again or pass the instructions on and submit the documents. Hence, you can take some precautions whatever they want. For instance, make the documents ready while the review is conducted or have to resubmit again. If reviews are conducted, the outfit will notify before 90 days. Provide such documents to ensure your grant is not suspended & you have to repay the amount according to the new law.
Abstract: SASSA SRD R370
South African Social Security (SASSA) has extended the Social Relief of Distress (SRD R350) grant up to R370. It was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in February 2024 that the grant would be extended to assist the unemployed to cover their daily expenses.
In March 2024, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the SRD R350 would be increased to R20, bringing the amount to R370 (SASSA SRD R370). This increase was announced after President Ramaphosa promised to increase the grants during this year’s State of the Nation Address.
The South African government has been working to reduce poverty for the past three decades, with a World Bank report showing a reduction in poverty from 60.9% in 1993 to 55.5% by 2020.
The African National Congress (ANC) announced an increase of R20 to the SRD R350 grant, and the government is working on a “Basic Income Grant” to alleviate poverty. The SRD R350 grant has never increased since its introduction in 2020 COVID-19 days, and the government is working on a roadmap to alleviate poverty by implementing a modal “Basic Income Grant.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the status of my SASSA SRD R370?
Dial the USSD code on your mobile phone: *134*7737#. Provide your South African ID and phone number, and follow the instructions to proceed. After submitting, your SASSA SRD R370 status will be visible on your mobile screen.
How to Check SASSA SRD Status Through SMS?
Go to your text message, type your 13-digit smart ID, and send the message to 082 046 8553. You will receive the message of your SASSA SRD R370 grant status.
How to change SRD R370 phone number?
Visit the SASSA Official Site; You can update & change your mobile number on the page. Remember, first, you need to verify your identity by providing an OTP at your previous mobile number.
What is the WhatsApp number for SASSA?
So, this is the official SASSA WhatsApp number: 082 046 8553
What if I lost my number for the SASSA R350?
You can visit your closest SASSA office, where a representative will bear out your identity and further proceed with your lost number query.
Why is SASSA SRD R370 for April not showing?
SASSA SRD R370 grant has not been disbursed yet. The National Treasury Department is modifying the grant application verifications, budgeting, and dates. SASSA will officially announce it soon.
