Johannesburg, South Africa – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed that there have been no changes to the conditions or requirements for young people applying for the SASSA SRD R350 social relief of distress grant since its introduction in 2020.
SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi clarified the matter in response to recent reports suggesting that the eligibility criteria for the grant had been altered for younger applicants.
“The requirements for the SRD R350 grant have not changed for young people or any other applicants since it was introduced 2020,” said Letsatsi. “The grant is available to South African citizens who are unemployed, do not receive any other form of social grant or income support, and are in distress due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Letsatsi emphasized that the grant is a temporary measure to help those in need during the pandemic and that applicants will be reassessed each month make sure if they still qualify to receive the grant.
“The SRD R350 grant is not a long-term solution to poverty or unemployment, but it can provide a lifeline to those who are struggling during this difficult time,” said Letsatsi.
According to SASSA, the agency has received over 13 million applications for the SRD R350 grant since its launch in May 2020. As of February 2021, approximately 7 million applicants had been approved for the grant, which is paid out monthly for a period of six months.
The grant has been a critical source of support for many South Africans who have lost their jobs or experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. However, it has also faced criticism for its limited coverage and delays in processing applications.
SASSA has urged eligible applicants to apply online to ensure that they receive the grant as quickly as possible. The agency has also encouraged applicants to update their contact details to avoid delays in receiving their payments.
Source : SASSA