Monthly Grant Amount: R370

SRD R370 Grant

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant provides R370 per month to unemployed South Africans aged 18 to 60 who have no other source of income or social support.

How to Apply Check Status
Portrait of Edwin Martin

Written by Edwin Martin

Grants & Payments Editor

Published Updated

Fact-checked by James Khumalo

Grant Amount

R370

Per month

Age Requirement

18-60

Years old

Application

Online

Via SASSA website

What is the SRD R370 Grant?

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, widely known as the R370 grant, is a monthly social assistance payment from the South African government for adults who are unemployed and have no other means of financial support. It is administered by SASSA (the South African Social Security Agency) and is designed to provide short-term relief to people living in poverty.

The grant began in May 2020 as the COVID-19 SRD grant of R350 per month. It has since been extended several times and the value was increased to R370 per month. Unlike permanent grants such as the Older Person's grant, the SRD grant is a temporary measure that the government reviews and renews periodically, so it is important to keep checking for official announcements about extensions.

Because the SRD grant is means-tested, SASSA re-checks your eligibility every single month. Your bank account, UIF records, NSFAS registration and other government databases are screened to confirm that you still have no disqualifying income or support. This is why a beneficiary can be approved one month and declined the next, so it pays to check your SRD R370 status after each reassessment.

Who Qualifies for the SRD Grant?
You must meet all the following requirements

You Qualify If:

  • South African citizen, permanent resident, or registered refugee/asylum seeker
  • Between 18 and 60 years old
  • Currently unemployed with no source of income
  • Not receiving any other social grant for yourself
  • Income below the monthly means-test threshold
  • Living within the borders of South Africa

You Don't Qualify If:

  • Receiving any other social grant (except the Child Support Grant paid on behalf of a child)
  • Receiving a UIF payment or contribution
  • Receiving NSFAS or other student funding
  • Employed or self-employed with income above the monthly threshold
  • Admitted to a government-funded institution
  • Receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme
The SRD Means Test Explained
How SASSA decides if you qualify each month

The SRD grant uses an income threshold, often called the "means test". To qualify you must earn less than a set amount per month. Every month SASSA verifies your bank accounts and cross-references government databases to confirm that no income above this amount was received. The threshold can be updated, so always confirm the current figure on the official SASSA SRD site.

This bank verification is the most common reason applications are declined. Even a once-off deposit from a family member, a refund, or money you are holding for someone else can push you over the threshold and cause a decline for that month. If this happens, you can appeal and explain the source of the funds.

Income Threshold

A set monthly limit

There is a maximum monthly income to qualify. Confirm the current amount on srd.sassa.gov.za.

How to Apply for the SRD R370 Grant
  1. 1

    Visit the SASSA SRD Website

    Go to srd.sassa.gov.za and select "Apply for the SRD R370 Grant".

  2. 2

    Enter Your Details

    Provide your 13-digit South African ID number, full name and surname exactly as they appear on your ID, and your active cellphone number.

  3. 3

    Complete the Declaration

    Confirm that you are unemployed, have no income above the monthly threshold, and consent to SASSA verifying your details with banks and other databases.

  4. 4

    Add Your Payment Method

    Provide your bank account details for direct payment, or choose to collect cash at a participating retailer using a one-time PIN.

  5. 5

    Submit and Save Your Reference

    Review your application, submit it, and note the confirmation so you can track your status each month.

Detailed Application Guide
Common Reasons the SRD Grant Is Declined
Understanding these helps you appeal successfully

  • Alternative income source identified

    A deposit or income above the monthly threshold was detected in your bank account for that month.

  • NSFAS registered

    Government records show you are receiving student funding.

  • UIF registered

    You are recorded as receiving or contributing to UIF.

  • Existing SASSA grant

    You are already receiving another grant for yourself.

  • Identity verification failed

    Your details did not match Home Affairs records, or you are flagged as deceased in error.

  • Government payroll

    You appear on a government payroll (for example as an employee or elected official).

Check Appeal StatusCheck SRD Status
Check Your SRD Status

Already applied? Check the status of your SRD R370 grant application for this month.

Check Status
Payment Information

Payment Methods

  • Bank account (EFT)
  • Mobile money / cardless collection
  • Retail outlets (Boxer, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, etc.)

Payment Schedule

SRD payments are made monthly, usually later in the month than permanent grants. Check the payment dates page for the schedule.

View Payment Dates
Need Help?

Contact SASSA for free assistance with your SRD grant application. SASSA never charges a fee.

Toll-Free:

0800 60 10 11

WhatsApp:

Official SASSA WhatsApp line (find the current number on srd.sassa.gov.za)

More Contact Options

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for the SRD R370 grant?
SRD applications are processed monthly. If you apply early in the month, your application may be verified and approved within the same month. Otherwise it will be assessed for the following month. SASSA reruns eligibility checks every month, so your status can change from one month to the next.
Can I apply for the SRD grant if I am a student?
Yes, students may apply for the SRD R370 grant. However, if you receive NSFAS funding or any other bursary that covers living costs, you will not qualify, because that funding is treated as a form of income or support.
What must I do if my SRD application is declined?
If your application is declined you can submit an appeal within 30 days of the decision. Check the reason for the decline first (for example "Alternative income source identified" or "NSFAS registered"), then lodge your appeal on the SASSA SRD website. Appeals are reviewed by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals and can take up to 60 to 90 days.
Do I need to reapply for the SRD grant every month?
No. Once your application is captured you do not reapply each month, but SASSA verifies your eligibility every month against bank, UIF, NSFAS and other databases. If your circumstances change, such as getting a job, you should update your details because you may no longer qualify.
What is the income (means test) threshold for the SRD grant?
To qualify for the SRD R370 grant you must earn below a set monthly income threshold. SASSA checks your bank accounts and government databases each month, and if income above the threshold is detected, your grant for that month can be declined. The exact figure can change over time, so confirm the current threshold on srd.sassa.gov.za.
How much is the SRD grant and how is it paid?
The SRD grant is R370 per month. It is paid into a bank account you nominate, sent to your mobile money wallet, or collected in cash at selected retailers such as Boxer and Pick n Pay using a one-time PIN. SASSA no longer pays the SRD grant at Post Office branches.

Related pages

Keep reading with these closely related guides.

All SASSA grants

Overview of every SASSA social grant, amounts and who qualifies.

Child Support grant

Monthly support for the primary caregiver of a child under 18.

Older Person’s grant

The Old Age Pension for South Africans aged 60 and over.

Disability grant

Support for people whose disability prevents them from working.

Foster Child grant

Grant for foster parents caring for a child under a court order.

Care Dependency grant

For caregivers of children needing permanent care due to disability.

Conclusion

The SRD R370 grant remains one of the most important forms of income support for unemployed adults in South Africa. To keep receiving it, remember that eligibility is reviewed every month: keep your bank account clear of income above the monthly threshold, make sure your contact and banking details are correct, and check your status each month before payment is due.

If your grant is declined, do not panic — a decline for one month does not cancel your application. Review the exact reason, gather any proof you need, and submit an appeal within 30 days. For the fastest, safest experience, apply and check your status only through the official SASSA channels, and never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee approval.

Related guides

Official Sources & References

The information on this page is based on and verified against the following official South African government sources:

This is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by SASSA or the South African government. Grant amounts, dates and eligibility rules can change — always confirm the latest details on the official SASSA website before acting.