When Covid 19 struck in South Africa, it did so with devastating consequences. The disease and resulting lockdown left many families in a situation where breadwinners lost their jobs, leaving families without the resources to buy even the most basic necessities such as food.
The government introduced the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) at R350 per month during the pandemic. The grant is now R370 per month for qualifying applicants, with the announced extension running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. It remains a temporary form of assistance for people who cannot meet their basic needs. Check SASSA’s official SRD portal for current application and eligibility information.
To apply, you must meet the current SRD eligibility rules, including:
- Residing in South Africa.
- Meeting the age and identity or residency-category rules for the SRD grant.
- Meeting the current financial and other eligibility requirements.
- Providing the information and consent needed for SASSA to verify your application.
Apply through the official SRD portal and provide the information and consent requested there. Use only SASSA’s official process to submit or update your banking details. Do not share a PIN, password or one-time verification code with someone claiming to apply on your behalf.
There is good news for those who have already applied and are not sure about their application status. Sassa has put their records online for applicants to see if their SRD grants were processed and checked on the status. They can do so online, thanks to the application status tracker.
Start at srd.sassa.gov.za and select the application-status option for your applicant category. Follow the instructions using the identity and contact details linked to your application.
Your status will show the outcome for the relevant period. If you disagree with a decision, follow the appeal or other instructions provided by SASSA for that decision rather than assuming that a new application is always the correct next step.