SASSA R350 relief grant: here’s how to apply

In an earlier briefing today, Minister Lindiwe Zulu, joined by National Development Agency CEO, Busisiwe Memela-Khambula announced that this would also be done in preparation for the roll-out of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350.

Limited services will be provided from Sassa local offices, which will progressively open this week. Mondays and Tuesdays will be used to receive applications from older persons, while priority will be given to those citizens who turned 60 just prior to or during the lockdown period, who were unable to complete their applications before services were stopped.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, new applications for child support and foster child grants will be done. “Again, priority will be given to caregivers with new babies, instances where the caregiver has to change or where circumstances have resulted in caregivers having no income to support their children,” the minister said.

She discouraged caregivers from bringing their children with them when visiting Sassa offices, to minimise the risk of infection.

In terms of the implementation of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, the minister said the department has revisited its systems, criteria and payments methods.

A contactless application system is going live today, which includes a WhatsApp line, among others.

“We set up a dedicated WhatsApp line, after having tested the concept through the Department of Health’s WhatsApp platform.  Those who have applied through this platform during the testing phase will be processed in line with the set criteria and successful applicants will be notified during the course of this week in order to request additional information for payments,” Zulu said.

Criteria – Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant:

The amount to be paid to qualifying applications will be R350 per month from May to October this year. The grant will be available to South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees registered on the Home Affairs system; who are resident within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;

Applicants must be:

• Above the age of 18;
• Unemployed;
• Not receiving any income;
• Not receiving any social grant;
• Not receiving any unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits;
• Not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme; and
• Not resident in a government funded or subsidized institution.

Prospective applicants will need to provide the following compulsory information for the 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 – Cell phone number;
• Proof of Residential Address;

The manner in which qualifying citizens can apply for this grant will be as follows:

• The new WhatsApp line will be 082 0468 553
• The USSD or SMS Line will be *134*7737#
• The email address will be srd@sassa.gov.za

The minister, in thanking all role players for their efforts in curbing the spread of Covid-19, said the department asked for patience while they embark on this application process.

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