In March 2024, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced an increase in the SRD grant payment from R350 to R370, representing a 5.7% increase for the grant.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu confirmed the grant increase of R20 in Government Notice No. R. 3210 of 29 March 2023.
The monthly amount of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress is now R370 per person and is payable for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Minister Zulu also gazetted several other major changes concerning the SRD Grant, which will impact grant beneficiaries under various circumstances.
These changes are outlined in the Amendment Regulations Relating to COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress, 2024, which come into operation on 01 April 2024 as published in the Gazette.
The Gazette confirms the insertion of regulations 6A, 6B, and 6C in SRD grant regulations, focusing on the recovery of funds, beneficiary information, and the death of beneficiaries.
Section 6A: Recovery of Funds
Section 6A grants Sassa the authority to recover funds paid to beneficiaries under specific circumstances.
If an ineligible individual received an SRD grant payment, they are required to repay the incorrectly received funds to Sassa.
Sassa may also recover funds from beneficiaries who fail to respond to requests for personal information or bank details.
Beneficiaries who do not respond to Sassa’s communications within 90 days risk having their application canceled and the money forfeited to the State.
It is crucial for beneficiaries to provide valid cellphone numbers to ensure receipt of Sassa’s messages.
Section 6B: Death of a Beneficiary
Section 6B stipulates that if a beneficiary of the SRD grant passes away, their grant will cease at the end of the month in which they died, and payments will stop accordingly.
Section 6C: Ensuring Uninterrupted SRD Grant Payments
Section 6C introduces a temporary measure to maintain continuity during the transition to the new system. Sassa will use a beneficiary’s March 2024 assessment information to determine eligibility for an SRD grant payment.