Key takeaways
- The SRD R370 is a temporary grant reassessed every month; most other SASSA grants are ongoing.
- The SRD grant is for adults with no income and no other support; the permanent grants target age, disability or the care of a child.
- You generally cannot receive the SRD grant at the same time as another SASSA grant.
- Choosing between the SRD grant and a permanent grant depends mainly on your age, health and whether you care for someone.
Many people use “SASSA grant” to mean the SRD R370, but the Social Relief of Distress grant is only one of several kinds of support SASSA provides. The others — the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, Child Support Grant and more — work very differently. Understanding the difference matters, because applying for the wrong grant is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or declined. This guide compares the SRD grant with the other social grants and helps you work out which one you can actually apply for. For a full list of every grant, see our guide to every SASSA social grant.
What the SRD R370 grant actually is
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a temporary form of assistance for adults aged 18 to 59 who have little or no income and are not receiving any other grant or support. It was introduced to help people in immediate need who fall outside the permanent grant system. Unlike the other grants, it is reassessed every single month against your bank activity and other databases, so your outcome can change from one month to the next. You can read the full breakdown in our SRD R370 explained article or on the dedicated SRD R370 grant page.
How the other social grants are different
The other SASSA grants are ongoing rather than temporary, and each targets a specific life situation rather than short-term distress. They are not reassessed month by month in the same way, and they usually pay more than the SRD grant. The main permanent grants are:
- The Older Persons Grant — for South Africans who have reached pension age and pass the means test.
- The Disability Grant — for adults who cannot work because of a physical or mental disability confirmed by a medical assessment.
- The Child Support Grant — for the primary caregiver of a child, whether a parent, grandparent or other caregiver.
- The Care Dependency and Foster Child grants — for caregivers of a severely disabled child or a child placed in foster care by a court.
- The Grant-in-Aid — an add-on for grant holders who need full-time care from another person.
SRD grant vs other grants at a glance
| Feature | SRD R370 grant | Other social grants |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Temporary relief for adults in distress | Ongoing support for a specific group |
| Who it is for | Adults 18–59 with no income | Older people, people with disabilities, caregivers |
| How often reassessed | Every month | Periodically, not monthly |
| Can combine with another grant? | Usually no | Some combinations allowed |
| Duration | Short-term, must reapply/renew | Continues while you qualify |
Amounts and thresholds change
Which one can you apply for?
The simplest way to decide is to start with your own situation rather than the grant names. Ask yourself a few questions in order:
Are you of pension age?
If you have reached the qualifying age, the Older Persons Grant is almost certainly the right permanent grant for you rather than the SRD grant.Do you have a disability that prevents you from working?
If a doctor can confirm a disability that stops you working, the Disability Grant applies. A temporary disability may lead to a temporary award.Do you care for a child?
If you are the primary caregiver of a child, look at the Child Support Grant, or the Care Dependency or Foster Child grants for special circumstances.None of the above, but you have no income?
If you are an adult aged 18 to 59 with little or no income and receive no other grant, the SRD R370 grant is the one designed for your situation.
You usually cannot hold the SRD grant and another grant together
When your situation changes
Your circumstances can move you from one grant to another. Someone receiving the SRD grant may later reach pension age and move onto the Older Persons Grant, or become a caregiver and qualify for the Child Support Grant. When that happens, apply for the new grant and let the SRD grant lapse — you do not keep both. When you are ready to apply, our guide to applying for SASSA grants walks you through the steps and the documents you need.
