Good News: SASSA SRD R350 Grant Extended Until March 2025
South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, announced a one year extension of the SASSA SRD R350 grant until March 2025, allocating a budget of R34 billion budget. The announcement was made in the National Treasury’s Medium-Term Budget Policy (MTBP) on the 2nd of November 2023.
If you were relying on the R350 grant to fulfill your basic needs, then you can continue receiving your SRD R350 Grant payments for another year.
When And Why the SRD R350 Grant was Initiated?
The government initiated the Social Relief of Distress during COVID-19 in 2020. The pandemic swept across the globe, leaving millions in its wake. South Africa was no exception, with countless businesses forced to close their doors and unemployment skyrocketing. This sudden economic shock left many citizens struggling to meet their basic needs, putting immense pressure on families already facing financial hardship.
That was the time when the South African government realized that they must help their citizens; and took action in the form of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 grant. This SRD grant provided much-needed financial assistance to millions of South Africans who had lost their jobs or were unable to earn enough to survive.
Now that COVID is over, the government is still keeping it continuing as many South Africans continue to face significant challenges, and the SRD grant remains a crucial source of support for countless individuals and families. It provides essential funds for food, basic necessities, and other essential expenses, helping to alleviate poverty and promote stability in the face of ongoing hardship.
SASSA SRD R350 Grant Extended Until March 2025
As the government continued the SRD grant after COVID-19, they did not make it permanent yet, but every year, they announce a one-year extension. During the recent National Treasury’s Medium-Term Budget Policy (MTBP), the finance minister Enoch Godongwana again came up with good news for the extension of the SRD R350 grant until March 2025.
He announced that the government had allocated R34 billion to make the grant available to citizens till March 2025. Even though they don’t have the budget to continue the grant further after 2025, they are planning ways to make the funding sources so they can continue further even after 2025.
Enoch Godongwana further added that a comprehensive review needs to be done by the Department of Social Development and the National Treasury before making the grant available to citizens after March 2024. He said:
“Government proposes that the fiscal framework make provision for funding for the grant for 2024/25. Beyond this, a comprehensive review of the entire social grant system by the Department of Social Development and the National Treasury is required”
Enoch Godongwana
He also added that the total amount of R945.9 billion will be spent on all types of grants:
“Of this amount, R945.9 billion will be spent on social protection transfers, including the old age grant, the child support grant, the disability grant and the COVID-19 social relief of distress grant.”
Enoch Godongwana
So, even though it’s pending a review by the National Treasury and the Department of Social Development, it is confirmed that the R350 grant will be here until March 2025.
What Are the Government’s Future Plans for SRD Grant
The government is trying its best to keep the SRD grant as President Cyril Ramaphosa also hinted that the R350 grant serves as a lifeline for millions of South Africans. The challenge they are facing is a constant source of funding. For this matter, they are planning to find a way to fund the SRD grant in the future.
The Treasury also said that a comprehensive review of the entire social grant system is needed to make plans for 2025. About the future of the SRD grant, Enoch Godongwana said:
“If that or a similar type of new grant is made permanent, beneficiaries are projected to expand from 27.3 million in 2023/24 to 40.4 million in 2040/41, which will cost 3.8 % of GDP in 2040/41 and require a corresponding permanent source of funding, such as additional revenue measures.”
Enoch Godongwana
So, it’s clear that the government is aiming to continue it, but they just need to make plans for permanent funding sources.
Is the SASSA SRD R350 Grant Amount Also Increasing?
There is some fake news circulating about the R350 grant amount increase, which is completely false and fake news. Please be aware of the fraudsters and never share your details with them to avoid any loss.
The government is already struggling to make the funds available for the R350 grant, so it is impossible for now to increase the SRD grant amount. Although it can be increased in the future once the government has permanent funding sources, for now, there is no announcement related to the SRD grant increment.
The last grant increments were made on October 2023 for all the other grants but the SRD R350 remained the same.
Our Responsibility As a Citizen
As we know, the government is already doing its best to support us in our bad financial condition, but there are still many citizens who are in good financial condition but are applying for grants.
We need to understand that the grant is for only the ones who need it most. Please do not apply if you already have income sources and good assets that surpass the means test criteria. Leave the grant amount to those who are the real needy persons.
If you are receiving the R350 grant but feel that you don’t need it longer, then please make it available to the other needy family by cancelling your grant.
Conclusion
The SASSA SRD R350 Grant has been extended until March 2025, providing relief to those who depend on it for their basic needs. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a budget of R34 billion for the extension, specifically for the SRD grant. While plans for permanent funding are in progress, it’s important for you to responsibly assess your need for the grant and consider canceling it if you no longer require assistance, ensuring that support reaches those who truly need it.
Hi i reapplied and it sais thaat application is active but no results how csn i find out what is happening
Hi when can I expect an answer
Hi Caylon,
Visit the SASSA status check page at: https://sassagrantstatuscheck.co.za. Provide your ID and phone number and let me know what status it shows.
Hi I’m sinenhlanhla, I have a problem I can’t apply for 350, with my id number ,it keep on saying my id number it already registered,how do I check if they is someone , applied for350 with my id number?
Hi Sinenhlanhla,
It seems someone has applied using your details fraudulently. Please report this incident to SASSA to recover your grant. You can read my detailed guide to report SASSA fraud.
please help me.i tried my very best with trying to find out how come that my 350 has been approved for january 2024 and i didnt receive a paydate till now going the 28 feb 2024.the call centre cannot even help me till this very day.whats the way forward .god bless S.A.
Hi Logan,
What the call center agent said to you? Did they said to wait or guided you to solve your pay date problem? Please also read this article to understand the reasons behind the no payment dates and their solution: https://sassagrantstatuscheck.co.za/sassa-r350-approved-but-no-payment/
good day, I was approved for the month of january 2024 and now it is the end of february 2024 and I didnt receive a paydate for january. What is the way forward? please can i get help because i rely on the 350.
Hi am kwanele i lost ma number for sassa grnt plz help me
Hi Kwanele,
Please SASSA change phone number article to update the phone number for your SASSA grant.
I want to reapply for 350
Hi Lukhona,
Please follow this guide to reapply for your R350 grant: https://sassagrantstatuscheck.co.za/sassa-reapplication/
I also want to apply for the R350 grant
Please follow the steps in this article to apply for R350 grant: https://sassagrantstatuscheck.co.za/srd-r350-grant/
I lost my previous number so now I can’t draw my srd R350 grant I would like to know isn’t there any help can sassa verify my new number please
Hi Renato,
Yes, you can change your phone number to continue receiving your grants. Please follow the guide at https://sassagrantstatuscheck.co.za/sassa-change-phone-number/.