Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant is a R36.0bn public fund announced by the Department of Social Development / SASSA under minister Sisisi Tolashe. It is flagged as underspent: R21.6bn (49.4%) disbursed against R36.0bn announced. Of 18 000 000 intended beneficiaries, 8 900 000 (49%) have been reached.
Announced
R36.0bn
Disbursed
R21.6bn
Undisbursed
R14.4bn
Beneficiaries reached: 8 900 000 of 18 000 000 targeted
The R350 SRD grant was introduced in May 2020 as emergency COVID-19 relief and has been repeatedly extended. Despite 18 million applications per month, SASSA consistently rejects over 70% of applicants — citing bank account matching failures, income verification errors, and database mismatches. The Constitutional Court ruled in 2023 that SASSA's appeals process was unconstitutional. Billions in budgeted funds go undisbursed annually while millions of qualifying South Africans are incorrectly rejected.
The key question
Why does SASSA reject over 70% of SRD applications when unemployment is above 32%?
Official response
SASSA states that rejections are due to applicants having income sources detected through means testing, including NSFAS, UIF, and other grants. Civil society disputes the accuracy of these income checks.
Timeline — 6 tracked events
SRD grant introduced as COVID-19 emergency relief
Cabinet announces R350 per month Social Relief of Distress grant for unemployed adults not receiving any other grant or UIF. Initially intended for 6 months.
National Treasury COVID-19 fiscal package →Grant extended — rejection rate concerns emerge
As grant is extended, civil society organisations begin documenting systemic rejection of qualifying applicants due to faulty income verification systems matching applicants to dormant bank accounts and incorrect SARS records.
Black Sash monitoring report →Constitutional Court rules SASSA appeals process unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court finds that SASSA's internal appeals process for rejected SRD applicants is unconstitutional as it does not provide adequate reasons for rejection or meaningful opportunity to appeal. SASSA ordered to fix within 12 months.
Constitutional Court judgment — Black Sash v SASSA →Treasury reveals R14bn annual underspend on SRD
National Treasury budget review reveals that SASSA underspends the SRD budget by approximately R14 billion annually due to high rejection rates. Economists note this represents a failure to deliver constitutionally mandated social assistance.
National Treasury Budget Review 2024 →Budget 2025 — grant remains at R370, means test unchanged
Finance Minister announces SRD grant increased to R370 per month but the means test threshold remains unchanged, meaning the same structural rejection problem persists. Civil society calls for basic income support to replace SRD.
National Budget 2025 — Budget Speech →SASSA monthly stats — 73.2% rejection rate continues
SASSA publishes December 2025 statistics showing 16.8 million applications, 4.5 million approvals — a 73.2% rejection rate. Economists calculate that if all qualifying applicants were approved, annual cost would be approximately R85 billion.
SASSA monthly statistical report →Other tracked funds
Figures are compiled from official Treasury, AGSA, SIU, SASSA and departmental sources cited in the timeline above. Last updated 1 April 2026. Disbursement figures reflect the most recent public reporting and may lag real-time spending.