SRD R370 Grant Eligibility Criteria
Understand the main rules to qualify for the SASSA SRD R370 grant.
Understanding the SRD R370 Grant Eligibility Framework
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, also called the R370 grant, is temporary help for people who are in serious financial need and cannot afford basic living needs for themselves or their families.The grant is given by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). There are specific rules to make sure the grant goes only to people who really need it and have no other support.
You must meet all the requirements to apply successfully. SASSA carefully checks each application to make sure the person qualifies.
Core Eligibility Requirements for the SRD R370 Grant
To be considered for the SRD R370 grant, applicants must meet all the required rules. These rules are basic and cannot be changed or ignored.
Residency and Citizenship Status:
Applicants must be one of the following:
- A South African citizen
- A permanent resident
- A refugee registered with the Department of Home Affairs
- An asylum seeker with a valid permit
- A person with a special permit under the Angolan, Lesotho, or Zimbabwe exemption permits
Age Requirement:
Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old. People under 18 or over 60 are usually not allowed to apply, because they may qualify for other grants like the Child Support Grant or Older Persons Grant.
Current Residence:
Applicants must be living in South Africa at the time of application.
Financial Means Test:
This is very important. Applicants must:
- Have little or no income. SASSA checks income using different systems, including SARS. The income limit is set by SASSA and may change.
- Not receive any other social grant for themselves (such as an Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, or War Veterans Grant).
- Not receive UIF payments.
- Not receive NSFAS funding.
- Not receive any other government COVID‑19 support.
Institutional Living:
Applicants must not be living in a government‑funded institution, such as a prison, state care home, or rehabilitation centre.
It is very important to give correct information when applying, because SASSA checks your details using different official databases.
Specific Exclusions and Conditions
Apart from the main requirements, there are certain situations that make a person not qualify for the SRD R370 grant. It is important to understand these reasons.
- Receiving Other Social Grants: People who already receive other grants for themselves, such as the Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Disability Grant, Grant‑in‑Aid, Older Persons Grant, or War Veterans Grant, do not qualify for the SRD R370 grant. The SRD grant is only for people who do not get help from these other grants.
- UIF Beneficiaries:
- If a person is currently receiving money from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), they do not qualify for the SRD grant. SASSA checks this information with the UIF database.
- NSFAS Recipients: Students who receive money or allowances from NSFAS do not qualify for the SRD grant.
- Sufficient Income or Money: SASSA checks a person’s financial situation. If a person earns more money or has more financial support than the allowed limit, their application will be rejected. This income limit is reviewed by SASSA from time to time.
- People in Prison: People who are in prison are not allowed to receive the SRD grant.
- Living in Fully State‑Funded Institutions: People who live in government‑funded institutions, where the government already pays for their basic needs, usually do not qualify for the SRD grant.
Applicants should make sure they do not fall into any of these groups before applying, so their application is not rejected.
Application Integrity and Information Verification
The application process must be honest and correct. SASSA depends on applicants to give true and accurate information. However, SASSA also uses strict checks to verify the information provided.
- Honest Information: Applicants must give true and correct information about their personal situation, income, and any other important details.
- Checks Across Many Systems: SASSA checks the information applicants provide by using different government and private databases. These checks include:
- Department of Home Affairs (DHA): to confirm identity and citizenship
- SARS: to check income
- UIF: to see if the person receives UIF benefits
- NSFAS: to check student funding
- Banks: to verify bank accounts and activity
- False Information: If a person gives false or misleading information, their application can be rejected. They may also be required to pay back any money received and could face legal action.
Applicants should make sure all their information is correct and up to date so that SASSA can check it easily and without problems.
Maintaining Eligibility: Reviews and Updates
Qualifying for the SRD R370 grant is not permanent. SASSA regularly checks and reviews applications to make sure beneficiaries still meet all the requirements.
- Regular Checks: SASSA may review a beneficiary’s situation from time to time, or whenever needed. This is to make sure the person still has little or no income and still meets all the requirements.
- Reporting Changes: People who receive the grant must tell SASSA as soon as possible if anything changes that could affect their eligibility. This includes:
- Getting a job or earning income above the allowed limit
- Starting to receive UIF or another social grant
- Changes to bank details or contact information (phone number or address)
- Not Reporting Changes: If a person does not report changes that affect their eligibility, the grant may be stopped. SASSA may also ask for any extra money paid to be paid back.
Keeping SASSA informed about any changes helps follow the rules and keeps the grant system fair. Beneficiaries should check their grant status regularly and reply to any messages from SASSA about reviews or requests for updated information.
Accessing Official and Current Eligibility Information
The rules for the SRD R370 grant can change or be explained further by SASSA when laws or policies are updated. For this reason, people should always check official SASSA platforms to get the most accurate and up‑to‑date information.
Important official sources include:
- The official SASSA website: sassa.gov.za
- The SASSA toll‑free call centre: 0800 60 10 11
- Official messages from SASSA, sent by SMS or posted on their verified social media pages
- Visiting a local SASSA office to ask questions in person
Using official SASSA sources helps applicants and beneficiaries get correct information, so they understand their rights and responsibilities for the SRD R370 grant.