The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has commenced Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payments for May 2025. Millions of people are expected to receive their grant payments this month.
Approved SRD grant applicants will be paid between 23 May and 28 May 2025. Beneficiaries are encouraged to complete a Sassa status check to confirm their exact payment date.
Clients are encouraged to view their status on the SRD website to see the exact date the payment will reflect in their bank accounts.
Where to Collect SRD Grant Payments for May 2025
Approved SRD grant beneficiaries for May 2025 have two collection options. They can receive the grant directly into their bank account or collect the money from a participating supermarket.
Supermarkets authorised to pay SRD grants include Pick n Pay, Boxer, Checkers, USave, OK, and Spar.
Sassa has reminded beneficiaries that payments may take between two and three working days to reflect in their bank accounts.
How SRD Grant Applications Are Evaluated
Sassa explains that when applying for an SRD grant, applicants must provide their ID number, name, and surname, which are sent to the Department of Home Affairs for verification.
The ID number is then checked against various databases, including the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), to assess the applicant’s financial status. Sassa does not pay SRD grants to individuals receiving financial support from NSFAS, UIF, or other government entities.
Both the ID number and mobile number also undergo a fraud risk scoring process to verify the legitimacy of the application.
Once all checks are complete, Sassa evaluates the application and determines whether to approve or decline it. If an application is incorrectly declined, an SRD grant appeal may be submitted.
SRD Grant Extended Until 2026
During the Annual Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the SRD grant, initially set to end in March 2025, has been extended for another year. The new end date is March 2026.
SRD grant beneficiaries will receive R370 for the month of May.
