SASSA SRD R370 Eligibility Requirements
Find out if you qualify for the Social Relief of Distress grant and understand the requirements
Quick Eligibility Self-Check
Answer these questions to see if you likely qualify:
Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Are you a South African citizen, permanent resident, or registered refugee?
Are you unemployed or earning less than R350 per month?
Are you NOT receiving any UIF benefits?
Are you NOT receiving NSFAS funding?
Are you NOT receiving any other SASSA grant (except child support)?
Detailed Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the SASSA SRD R370 grant, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
Citizenship & Residency
- South African citizen, OR
- Permanent resident, OR
- Registered refugee with valid permit, OR
- Registered asylum seeker with valid permit
Age Requirements
- Must be between 18 and 60 years old
- Age is verified from your ID number
- Turning 18 during the month qualifies
- Month you turn 60 is your last eligible month
Financial Situation
- Unemployed or earning less than R350 per month
- Bank account shows insufficient income
- Not receiving UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) benefits
- Not registered with NSFAS for student funding
SASSA Grants
- Not receiving any other SASSA social grant
- Exception: You CAN receive child support for your children
- Cannot receive old age pension
- Cannot receive disability grant
Other Requirements
- Not residing in a government-funded institution
- Not incarcerated in correctional facility
- Have a valid South African ID number
- Have a cellphone number registered in your name
How SASSA Verifies Your Eligibility
Identity Verification
SASSA checks your details against Department of Home Affairs records to confirm your identity, age, and citizenship status.
Financial Verification
Your bank account is checked to verify you have insufficient income (less than R350 per month). SARS tax records may also be consulted.
Benefits Cross-Check
SASSA verifies you are not receiving UIF benefits, NSFAS funding, or other social grants through their databases.
Final Approval
If you pass all verification checks and meet all criteria, your application is approved and you are assigned a payment date.
Understanding the R350 Income Threshold
The SRD grant is means-tested. You must earn less than R350 per person per month to qualify.
What Counts as Income:
- ✓ Salary or wages from employment
- ✓ UIF unemployment benefits
- ✓ NSFAS allowances
- ✓ Regular business income
- ✓ Pension from employer or retirement fund
- ✓ Rental income
What Does NOT Count as Income:
- ✗ Child support grants received for your children
- ✗ One-time gifts from family/friends
- ✗ Loans or borrowed money
- ✗ Savings withdrawn from your own account
- ✗ Money transfers between your own accounts
- ✗ Refunds or reimbursements
Common Reasons for Disqualification
Receiving UIF Benefits
If you are registered with UIF and receiving unemployment benefits, you are not eligible for SRD.
NSFAS Registration
Students receiving NSFAS funding are not eligible as this is considered financial support.
Income Above R350
SASSA verifies your bank account and SARS records. Income above R350/month disqualifies you.
Receiving Another SASSA Grant
You cannot receive multiple SASSA grants simultaneously (except child support for your children).
Age Outside 18-60 Range
Must be 18 or older but younger than 60. Those 60+ qualify for old age pension instead.
Not SA Citizen/Resident
Must be SA citizen, permanent resident, or have valid refugee/asylum seeker permit.
Special Circumstances & Exceptions
🤱 Parents Receiving Child Support Grant
You CAN qualify! Receiving child support grant for your children does NOT disqualify you from SRD. These are separate grants with different purposes.
🎓 Students Not on NSFAS
You CAN qualify! If you're a student NOT receiving NSFAS funding and meet other criteria, you can receive SRD. However, if you're receiving any bursary or financial aid, this may be considered income.
💼 Informal/Casual Workers
Case by case. If you do occasional piece jobs earning less than R350/month total, you may qualify. SASSA verifies through bank deposits. Keep records of your income.
🏠 Living with Employed Family
You CAN qualify! The grant is assessed per individual, not per household. If family members support you but you personally have no income, you can qualify.
🆔 Temporary ID Document
May qualify. If you have a temporary ID while waiting for your permanent ID, you may apply, but verification might take longer. Refugees need valid permits.
⏳ Turned 60 This Month
Last eligible month! The month you turn 60 is your last month of SRD eligibility. You should apply for the Old Age Pension instead.
Monthly Re-verification
Important: SRD Grant is Re-assessed Every Month
Unlike permanent grants, the SRD R370 grant requires monthly verification. SASSA automatically checks your eligibility each month against current databases.
This means:
- You may be approved one month and declined the next if your circumstances change
- You don't need to reapply unless SASSA requests it
- Changes in income, UIF status, or NSFAS registration are detected automatically
- Check your status monthly to see if you're still eligible
What If You Don't Qualify?
📋 Other SASSA Grants
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for:
- Old Age Pension (60+)
- Disability Grant (medical condition)
- Child Support Grant (for your children)
- Foster Care Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
💼 UIF Benefits
If you were previously employed and contributed to UIF, you may qualify for unemployment benefits.
- Higher amount than SRD (up to 60% of salary)
- Available for up to 12 months
- Apply through Department of Employment & Labour
🎓 NSFAS for Students
Students can apply for NSFAS funding which provides more comprehensive support.
- Tuition fees covered
- Accommodation allowance
- Learning materials
- Transport allowance
Eligibility FAQs
I'm 17 turning 18 soon. Can I apply?
You can only apply from the month you turn 18. Your ID number determines your age, so apply from the first day of the month of your 18th birthday.
I get disability grant. Can I also get SRD?
No, you cannot receive both. If you're receiving disability grant, you're not eligible for SRD. Disability grant amount (R2,190) is higher than SRD anyway.
My child gets child support. Does that affect my SRD?
No! Child support grants are for your children's benefit, not yours. You can receive SRD even if your children receive child support grants.
I finished studying and NSFAS ended. Can I apply now?
Yes! Once your NSFAS funding has ended and you meet other criteria, you can apply. It may take 1-2 months for systems to reflect that NSFAS has ended.
I do occasional piece jobs. Am I still eligible?
Yes, if your total monthly income from all sources is less than R350. SASSA verifies through bank deposits, so keep evidence of your income amounts.
What if my circumstances change during the month?
SASSA verifies at the beginning of each month. If you get a job mid-month after being approved, you still receive that month's payment. Next month you likely won't qualify.
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