Is the SASSA SRD R700 Grant Correct?
South Africa has the second-largest economy in Africa behind Nigeria. However, economic growth has been quite slow in recent years due to the pandemic. According to the World Bank, the poverty ratio in 2022 was 62.6% and it is due to the COVID-19 disaster.
So South Africa has decided to reduce this ratio and started the SRD grant for the affected people. The grant was started as a short-term financial support to those who have lost their jobs during the lockdown.
However, the payment for the SRD grant was decided to be R350 and that’s why it is also called the SRD R350 grant. However, there is news that the SRD grant is going to increase to R700. There is hype on social media that there is an SRD R700 grant that citizens can apply for.
Is this news correct? Are you going to get R700 in the next month of 2023 or 2024? Well, let’s have a look at reality.
Is SRD R350 Increased to R700?
The rumors circulating on social media about the SRD grant being increased to R700 are unfortunately not true. This appears to be fake news or misinformation that has been spreading on Twitter and other platforms.
The SRD grant remains at R350 per month. There has been no official announcement from the South African government about raising the grant amount to R700. In fact, SASSA has condemned this news on their Twitter page.
The SRD grant was introduced in 2020 as temporary emergency relief for unemployed South Africans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant was initially supposed to end in January 2022 but has been repeatedly extended, most recently until March 2024.
However, the grant amount has remained at R350 per month since its introduction. There are ongoing discussions about making the grant permanent and increasing the amount, but so far the government has not approved any changes.
We want to make it absolutely clear to avoid further confusion – any posts or rumors you may see about the SRD grant increasing to R700 are false. The Department of Social Development has not made any such announcement. Please check official government sources for accurate information on social grants. Do not rely on unverified social media posts.
The SRD grant remains an important support for vulnerable South Africans. But for now, it is still R350 per month, not R700. We hope this helps explain that the R700 grant increase is fake news.
Is SRD R350 Increased to R624?
No, there is no official statement from SASSA that the SRD grant is increased from R350 to R624. However, this is news that was interpreted in the wrong manner.
The means test for the SRD grant was before:
To be eligible for the SRD grant, the maximum monthly income should not exceed R350. (Previously).
However, now the SASSA has stated that this threshold is increased to R624. So it means, now if you are earning less than R624 rather than R350 previously, you are eligible for the Social Relief of Distress grant. (Current 2023).
When Will the SASSA SRD R350 Grant Expire?
As of the official statement, the SASSA SRD R350 grant is set to expire on March 31, 2024. While there may be speculation about the extension of the grant to 2025. But it’s essential to rely on official announcements from the South African government or the relevant authorities for confirmation.
Governments often assess and reassess social assistance programs based on various factors such as economic conditions, public needs, and other relevant considerations. If there are discussions or considerations for extending the grant beyond the initially announced date, the government will likely make an official statement to communicate any changes.
To stay informed about the status of the SASSA SRD R350 grant and its potential extension, it is recommended to regularly check our website. Additionally, citizens can contact relevant government offices or agencies for clarification on any changes to the grant’s expiration date.
