The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant in South Africa continues to see a significant increase in applications, with approximately 80,000 new applicants each month.
This adds to the 9 million recipients already benefiting from the grant, according to Paseka Letsatsi, a spokesperson for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
Application Statistics
As of February, the total number of people who had applied for the SRD grant since its introduction in May 2020 reached an impressive 17.4 million.
Notably, the months of May 2024 and January 2025 recorded the highest number of new applications, with 171,907 and 168,071 respectively.
SRD Grant Applications by Region
The highest number of SRD grant applications came from KwaZulu-Natal, with 4.4 million applicants. Other provinces with notable applications include Gauteng (3.2 million) and the Eastern Cape (2 million).
These provinces, particularly the Eastern Cape, are among those with the highest unemployment rates in the country.
As per Statistic SA’s latest quarterly labour report, the unemployment rates stand at 42% in the Eastern Cape, while Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal report 34% and 30% unemployment rates, respectively.
Gender and Citizenship Data
Of the total applications since 2020, 9.3 million were submitted by women, while 8 million were from men.
There were also 14,000 applications from non-South African citizens, mainly Lesotho Exemption Permit holders (7,406) and asylum seekers (6,268).
Age and Education of Applicants
The SRD grant, which is available up to the age of 59, has seen a higher number of applications from younger people. 62% of applicants were 35 years old or younger, with the largest age group being 20-24-year-olds, who made 3.6 million applications.
When it comes to education, over 80% of applicants had completed at least Grade 10 or matric. Among these, 7.5 million applicants had a matric qualification, while approximately 945,000 held a tertiary education qualification.
The Purpose and Future of the SRD Grant
The SRD grant was initially introduced as a short-term solution during the COVID-19 lockdown to support those impacted by the pandemic. However, the extension of the SRD grant is set to end on March 31, 2025.
Legal Challenges and Appeals
In January, the Gauteng High Court ruled that certain regulations limiting access to the SRD grant were unconstitutional and invalid. The court also ordered an increase in both the grant amount and the income threshold for eligibility.
Following this ruling, the department and SASSA appealed the judgment, claiming it was “flawed.” On February 13, they applied for leave to appeal the court’s decision. The National Treasury has also submitted relevant documents for the appeal hearing.
If the leave to appeal is granted, the ruling will be suspended until the appeal is heard, and the government will await further guidance from the court on the next steps.
Key Takeaways
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total applications since 2020 | 17.4 million |
| Monthly new applications | 80,000 |
| Highest number of applicants by province | KwaZulu-Natal (4.4 million) |
| Women applicants | 9.3 million |
| Men applicants | 8 million |
| Non-South African applicants | 14,000 |
| Age group with most applicants | 20-24 years (3.6 million) |
| Applicants with matric qualifications | 7.5 million |
| Applicants with tertiary education | 945,000 |
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant continues to play a crucial role in supporting South Africans, especially those affected by unemployment and economic instability. While the program was initially a short-term solution, its continued extension has sparked debate and legal challenges.
With millions of applications submitted since its introduction, the SRD grant remains a significant tool in addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable populations in South Africa. The court’s decision and its subsequent appeal will likely determine the future of the program and could lead to broader changes in the way it is administered.
FAQs
What is the SRD grant?
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a financial assistance program introduced in South Africa to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides R370 per month to eligible individuals.
Who is eligible for the SRD grant?
To be eligible, individuals must meet certain criteria, such as age (up to 59), income levels, and other factors. However, recent court rulings have challenged some of the grant’s regulations, which could impact eligibility.
When will the SRD grant extension end?
The current extension for the SRD grant will end on March 31, 2025.
What was the recent court ruling about the SRD grant?
In January, the Gauteng High Court ruled that regulations limiting access to the SRD grant were unconstitutional. The court also ordered an increase in the grant amount and eligibility thresholds. The government has appealed this decision.