Why SRD Grants Are Paid Late

Why SRD Grants Are Paid Late. Millions of financially vulnerable individuals heavily depend on the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to cover essential expenses. Recently, concerns have emerged among SRD beneficiaries regarding the payment schedule provided by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa). In this article, we delve into the reasons behind the SRD grants being disbursed toward the end of each month.

The SRD Grant Payment Schedule

Sassa has officially released the SRD grant payment schedule, detailing the monthly payment dates for beneficiaries. This schedule reveals that over 7 million individuals currently benefiting from the SRD grant will receive their payments in the latter part of each month.

SRD Grant Payment Dates for 2023/24

Here are the SRD grant payment dates for the upcoming months in 2023/24:

• September 2023: 22 September – 29 September
• October 2023: 25 October – 31 October
• November 2023: 24 November – 30 November
• December 2023: 18 December – 22 December
• January 2024: 25 January – 31 January
• February 2024: 23 February – 29 February
• March 2024: 25 March – 29 March

Why SRD Grants Are Paid at the End of the Month

A representative from Sassa has shed light on the rationale behind paying SRD grants toward the end of each month. Unlike other grant programs where eligibility is established only upon initial application, SRD grant recipients undergo monthly eligibility verification by Sassa.

SRD Grant Eligibility Verification

Sassa conducts SRD grant eligibility verifications typically in the latter part of the month. This delay is attributed to Sassa’s collaboration with various government entities and banks to cross-verify the information provided by SRD grant applicants.

Check Your SRD Grant Status

Sassa encourages SRD grant beneficiaries to regularly check their application status on the Sassa website to confirm approval and determine their payment date. It’s important to note that once Sassa initiates a payment, it takes approximately two to three working days for the funds to reflect in the beneficiary’s bank account.

Who Qualifies for the SRD Grant

To qualify for the SRD grant, applicants must meet specific requirements, including South African citizenship, residency within the country’s borders, and unemployment. Permanent residents and special permit holders also qualify.

Beneficiaries of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are ineligible for the SRD grant. Additionally, applicants’ bank account balances should not exceed R624, as exceeding this threshold leads to application rejection.

How Sassa Verifies SRD Grant Applications

Sassa collaborates with government entities and financial institutions to verify applicants’ eligibility. This process involves confirming identity and citizenship status through the Department of Home Affairs and verifying income with the chosen bank.

Completing the Sassa Status Check for SRD Grant

Applicants can monitor their SRD grant status through a Sassa Status Check. If approved, they will receive SRD grant payments. In the unfortunate event of rejection, applicants have the option to submit an appeal to the Independent Tribunal For Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA).