SASSA R350/R370 Grant — Everything You Need to Know [2026]

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The SASSA SRD grant, still widely known as the R350 grant, now pays R370 per month to qualifying South Africans. This is your complete guide to the Social Relief of Distress grant in 2026. Below you will find everything about how to apply, check your status, understand your results, get paid, appeal a decline, fix common problems, and contact SASSA.

What Is the SASSA SRD Grant?

The SASSA SRD grant is the Social Relief of Distress grant managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). It provides monthly financial assistance to unemployed South Africans who have no other source of income or support.

The grant was introduced in May 2020 as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the amount was R350 per month. The government has since extended the grant multiple times and increased the amount to R370 per month in 2024.

Many people still search for “SASSA R350” because that was the original amount. Whether you call it the R350 grant or the R370 grant, it is the same Social Relief of Distress grant.

Current Grant Amount: R370 Per Month

As of 2026, the SRD grant pays R370 per month. This amount is paid to approved beneficiaries between the 25th and 28th of each month. The income threshold for eligibility is R624 per month, meaning you must earn less than R624 to qualify.

The SRD grant is separate from other SASSA grants. Here is how it compares:

Grant Type Monthly Amount
SRD Grant (R350/R370) R370
Old Age Grant (60-74) R2,190
Old Age Grant (75+) R2,210
Disability Grant R2,190
Child Support Grant R530
Foster Child Grant R1,190
Care Dependency Grant R2,190
War Veterans Grant R2,190

Brief History of the SRD Grant

Understanding how the grant developed helps explain why people still call it the R350 grant:

  • May 2020: The SRD grant was launched at R350 per month as a COVID-19 pandemic relief measure. It was meant to be temporary.
  • 2021: The grant was extended beyond the initial period as the pandemic continued.
  • 2022-2023: The government extended the grant again, recognising ongoing economic hardship. The amount remained at R350.
  • 2024: The grant amount was increased from R350 to R370 per month.
  • 2025-2026: The grant continues to be paid at R370. Discussions about making it permanent or replacing it with a Basic Income Grant are ongoing.

The grant has become a critical lifeline for millions of South Africans. Even though it started as a temporary measure, it has been extended repeatedly due to high unemployment and economic pressure.

Who Qualifies for the SRD Grant?

To qualify for the SASSA SRD R370 grant, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or registered refugee or asylum seeker.
  • Be between 18 and 59 years old.
  • Have no income or earn less than R624 per month.
  • Not receive any other social grant from SASSA.
  • Not receive Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments.
  • Not receive any stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
  • Not be a resident in a government-funded institution.

SASSA verifies your eligibility each month against databases from SARS, the Department of Home Affairs, UIF, and other government agencies. This means your status can change from month to month depending on your circumstances.

For complete eligibility details and how to check if you qualify, visit our SASSA SRD eligibility and application hub. You can also read about specific SRD eligibility requirements.

How to Apply for the SRD Grant

Applying for the SRD R370 grant is done online. There is no need to visit a SASSA office to apply. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/application/auth.
  2. Enter your South African ID number.
  3. Enter a valid cellphone number that you have access to.
  4. Verify your identity with the OTP (One-Time PIN) sent to your phone.
  5. Fill in the required personal and banking details.
  6. Submit your application.

The application is free. SASSA does not charge any fee. If anyone asks you to pay to apply, it is a scam.

For a detailed walkthrough, visit our how to apply for the SASSA SRD grant guide.

How to Check Your Status

After applying, you can check your application status at any time. This is the most important step because your status tells you whether you will be paid.

  1. Go to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status.
  2. Enter your 13-digit South African ID number.
  3. Enter the cellphone number linked to your application.
  4. Click “Submit” to see your status.

You can also check via the Moya App (data-free), WhatsApp (082 046 8553), or by calling the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11.

Visit our SASSA status check hub for all the different ways to check. For step-by-step instructions with each method, see how to check SASSA status.

Understanding Your Status Results

Your SASSA status will show one of several results. It is important to understand what each one means:

  • Approved: Your grant has been accepted for this month. You will receive R370 on your assigned payment date.
  • Pending: SASSA is still verifying your information. This can take days to weeks. Do not reapply.
  • Declined: Your application was not approved. A reason may be shown. You can appeal.
  • Application Submitted: Your application has been received and is in the queue for processing.

For a full explanation of every status type, visit our SASSA status meanings hub.

Payment Dates and Schedule

The SRD R370 grant is paid between the 25th and 28th of each month. SASSA staggers payments across several days to manage the load on payment systems.

For February 2026, the SRD payment window is 25 to 27 February 2026. Your exact payment date is assigned by SASSA and can be viewed on the SRD portal.

Other SASSA grants follow a different schedule:

  • Old Age, Disability, War Veterans: 3rd to 4th of each month
  • Child Support, Foster Child, Care Dependency: 5th to 6th of each month

For the full 2026 calendar with dates for every month and every grant type, visit our SASSA payment dates hub.

What to Do If Your Application Is Declined

If your SRD status shows “Declined,” do not give up. You have the right to appeal. Common reasons for being declined include:

  • Earning above the R624 per month income threshold.
  • Being registered as employed on government databases.
  • Receiving another social grant or UIF payment.
  • Identity verification failure.
  • Being outside the 18-59 age range.

For a full list of decline reasons and what to do about each one, visit our SASSA declined reasons page.

How to Appeal

If you believe your application was declined unfairly, you can submit an appeal:

  1. Go to the SASSA appeal portal at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal.
  2. Enter your ID number and phone number.
  3. Select the month you want to appeal for.
  4. Provide any additional information or supporting documents.
  5. Submit your appeal.

Appeals are reviewed by an independent panel. The process can take several weeks. For a comprehensive guide on the appeal process, visit our SASSA appeal guide hub.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

SASSA beneficiaries often experience problems with status checks, payments, and applications. Here are the most common issues:

  • Approved but no payment: Your banking details may be incorrect or your bank account inactive. Read our SASSA approved but no payment guide.
  • Status check not working: The website may be overloaded. Try during off-peak hours or use the Moya App.
  • Status keeps saying pending: Verification takes time. Wait up to 60 days before contacting SASSA.
  • Wrong phone number: Update it through the SRD portal or at a SASSA office.

Visit our SASSA troubleshooting hub for solutions to every common problem, including quick fixes and step-by-step guides.

Managing Your Account

You can manage your SRD grant account online through the SRD portal. This includes:

  • Updating your cellphone number.
  • Changing your banking details.
  • Switching between payment methods (bank, Post Office, retailer).
  • Viewing your application and payment history.

For full instructions, visit our SASSA account management hub.

Collecting Your Payment

Once your SRD grant is approved and your payment date arrives, you can receive your R370 in several ways:

  • Bank account: The money is deposited directly into your linked bank account.
  • Post Office: Collect with your SASSA gold card and ID at any Post Office branch.
  • Retailers: Collect as cash at selected retailers such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, and Checkers.

For details on each payment method, what to bring, and how to avoid problems, visit our SASSA card payment collection hub.

Avoiding Scams

SASSA scams are a serious problem. Criminals create fake websites, send fraudulent SMS messages, and even impersonate SASSA officials. Protect yourself by remembering:

  • The only official SRD website is srd.sassa.gov.za.
  • SASSA will never ask for your bank PIN, password, or OTP.
  • Applying for the SRD grant is completely free. Never pay anyone to apply.
  • Do not click suspicious links in messages claiming to be from SASSA.

Learn how to spot and report SASSA scams by visiting our SASSA scam and fraud awareness hub.

Contact SASSA

If you need help with any aspect of your SRD grant, SASSA has several contact channels:

For a complete directory of contact options, including provincial office locations, visit our SASSA contact information hub.

The Future of the SRD Grant

The SRD grant was originally a temporary pandemic relief measure. However, it has been extended every year since 2020 due to South Africa’s high unemployment rate and ongoing economic challenges.

There have been discussions about replacing the SRD grant with a permanent Basic Income Grant (BIG) that would provide more substantial support. The government has also considered increasing the grant amount. As of February 2026, no final decision has been made on making the grant permanent, but it continues to be funded and paid each month.

We will update this page as new information about the future of the SRD grant becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SASSA grant R350 or R370 in 2026?

The SRD grant is R370 per month in 2026. The amount was increased from R350 to R370 in 2024. People still commonly refer to it as the “R350 grant” because that was the original amount when it launched in 2020.

How do I apply for the SASSA SRD grant?

Apply online at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/application/auth. You need your South African ID number and a cellphone number. The application is free. Visit our how to apply guide for detailed steps.

What is the income limit for the SRD grant?

You must earn less than R624 per month to qualify. If you earn R624 or more from any source, including casual work, your application will be declined. SASSA checks this against SARS and other government databases each month.

How do I check my SASSA status?

Check at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status with your ID number and phone number. You can also use the Moya App (data-free), WhatsApp (082 046 8553), or call 0800 60 10 11. See our SASSA status check hub for all methods.

When does the SRD grant pay each month?

The SRD R370 grant pays between the 25th and 28th of each month. Each beneficiary gets a specific date within this window. Check your date on the SRD portal. For the full 2026 calendar, visit our SASSA payment dates page.

What do I do if my SRD grant is declined?

You can appeal at https://srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal. Check the decline reason first, as this will help with your appeal. Read our SASSA appeal guide for step-by-step instructions and our SASSA declined reasons page for common causes.

Why was I approved but not paid?

The most common causes are incorrect banking details, an inactive bank account, or your payment date has not arrived yet. Verify your details on the SRD portal and check your payment date. Read our approved but no payment guide for full solutions.

Can I receive the SRD grant and another SASSA grant at the same time?

No. You cannot receive the SRD R370 grant if you are already receiving any other SASSA social grant, such as the Old Age Grant, Disability Grant, or Child Support Grant. You must choose one. Visit our eligibility page for full details.

Is the SRD grant permanent?

As of February 2026, the SRD grant has not been made permanent. It is extended year by year through the national budget. Discussions about a permanent Basic Income Grant are ongoing, but no final decision has been made.

How do I update my banking details for the SRD grant?

Log into the SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za and update your banking information. If you cannot do it online, visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID and proof of bank account. See our account management guide for help.

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