Applying for the Social Relief of Distress Grant

Social relief of distress is a temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such dire material need that they are unable to meet their or their families’ most basic needs. Social Relief of Distress is paid to South African citizens or permanent residents, who have insufficient means and meet one or more of the …

May 18, 2020

Benoni City Times 1 minute read

Social relief of distress is a temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such dire material need that they are unable to meet their or their families’ most basic needs.

Social Relief of Distress is paid to South African citizens or permanent residents, who have insufficient means and meet one or more of the following criteria:

• The applicant is awaiting payment of an approved social grant.

• The applicant has been found medically unfit to undertake remunerative work for a period of less than six months.

• The breadwinner is deceased and application is made within three months of the date of death.

• No maintenance is received from parent, child or spouse obliged in law to pay maintenance, and proof is furnished that efforts made to obtain maintenance have been unsuccessful.

• The breadwinner of that person’s family has been admitted to an institution funded by the state (prison, psychiatric hospital, state home for older persons, treatment centre for substance abuse or child and youth care centre).

• The applicant has been affected by a disaster as defined in the Disaster Management Act or the Fund Raising Act, 1978.

• The person is not receiving assistance from any other organisation.Refusal of the application for social relief of distress will cause undue hardships.

Period of Social Relief of Distress (new policy)Social Relief of Distress is issued monthly for a maximum period of three months.

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Prospective applicants will need to provide the following compulsory information for processing of their applications:

• Identity number/Department of Home Affairs permit

• Name and surname as captured in the ID (and initials)

• Gender and disability

• Banking details – bank name and account number

• Contact details – cellphone number

• Proof of residential address

Qualifying citizens can apply through:

• WhatsApp – 082 046 8553