The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, introduced new regulations to govern the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of R350 last week Friday.
Previously the SRD grant was governed by regulations under the State of Disaster Act, which has since been lifted.
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It was introduced to assist those who were left in financial crisis by the COVID-19 lockdown.
How to apply for Sassa, Sassa R350 reapplication / Re-apply pending 2022/ Srd statues check/ online application
LINK: https://t.co/3gaGssMse5 pic.twitter.com/JxUp4UOkaq— JobseekersSA🇿🇦 (@JobseekerSa) April 25, 2022
The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, introduced new regulations to govern the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of R350 last week Friday.
Previously the SRD grant was governed by regulations under the State of Disaster Act, which has since been lifted.
It was introduced to assist those who were left in financial crisis by the COVID-19 lockdown.
The new regulations are different in one important aspect, qualifying applicants must prove that they are more disadvantaged than before.
This then raises the possibility that some who previously got the grant will no longer be able to do so.
The income criteria for access to the ground was previously a ceiling of R595, which was the foot property line.
At that time, everyone getting income over R595 is excluded from the grant.
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The new income qualifying threshold is lower at R350, anyone with income above that will not qualify for a grant.
The other criteria are the same as those under the state of disaster Act. South Africans over the age of 18 can apply.
On the other hand, asylum seekers with up-to-date documentation and foreigners from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Angola, and Malawi who have a special dispensation permit, may apply for the grant.
The new regulation law has affected the grant beneficiaries’ others have positive and negative sides of this matter, Mmabatho Moroene (26) who has received the relief fund from 2020 and currently living off working part-time in stores was shattered to hear the new qualifying law.
“I do not understand why I will be disqualified because it can take me 3-4 months with no employment but now, I will be drowning in debts and sorrow of not having an income unless the is an exception for people like me in the new beneficiary regulations,” Moroene said.
Prudence Maringa (19) who hopes to receive the relief money, is excited about the new measures, as she is an applicant for the relief grant and has not even received a cent.
“This new law will help me get my financial assistance, the number will decrease and those who need it like myself will get it,” Maringa said.
According to the latest statistics, 10.65 million people are currently receiving the grant.
The grant has been extended up to the end of March 2023, by which the time government has promised the final decision on whether a permanent basic income grant will be introduced.
This then raises the possibility that some who previously got the grant will no longer be able to do so.
The income criteria for access to the ground was previously a ceiling of R595, which was the foot property line.
At that time, everyone getting income over R595 is excluded from the grant.
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The new income qualifying threshold is lower at R350, anyone with income above that will not qualify for a grant.
The other criteria are the same as those under the state of disaster Act. South Africans over the age of 18 can apply.
On the other hand, asylum seekers with up-to-date documentation and foreigners from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Angola, and Malawi who have a special dispensation permit, may apply for the grant.
The new regulation law has affected the grant beneficiaries’ others have positive and negative sides to this matter, Mmabatho Moroene (26) who has received the relief fund from 2020 and currently living off working part-time in stores was shattered to hear the new qualifying law.
“I do not understand why I will be disqualified because it can take me 3-4 months with no employment but now, I will be drowning in debts and sorrow of not having an income unless the is an exception for people like me in the new beneficiary regulations,” Moroene said.
Prudence Maringa (19) who hopes to receive the relief money, is excited about the new measures, as she is an applicant for the relief grant and has not even received a cent.
“This new law will help me get my financial assistance, the number will decrease and those who need it like myself will get it,” Maringa said.
According to the latest statistics, 10.65 million people are currently receiving the grant.
The grant has been extended up to the end of March 2023, by which the time government has promised the final decision on whether a permanent basic income grant will be introduced.
