Grants distributed by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) such as the Child Support grant provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable South Africans. However, beneficiaries of the Child Support Grant only receive this support until they're 18.
Sassa has then encouraged them to apply for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant should they need financial assistance. However, 71 314 applications from young adults who aged out of the child support grant were declined for the R350 grant.
When asked about this, the Department of Social Development explained that SRD grant applications are subject to a means test which found that these applicants don't qualify.
The fact that one has applied does not mean that they are automatically eligible.
Once an SRD grant application is submitted, they undergo "vigorous checks" to evaluate whether they meet the SRD grant requirements. These include bank validation and income conducted are conducted against various databases such as the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
This is done to, according to the department, "avoid double dipping and to ensure only eligible applicants receive the money".
Why They Were Rejected
The Department revealed that there are various reasons behind these SRD grant application rejections. Over 70% of the rejections were due to an income source being identified which means that Sassa found that the applicant was receiving a source of income already.
Once of the main requirements for the grant is that the applicant has R624 or less in their bank account and has no other income or grants, including NSFAS, UIF and Sassa grants.
All applications for the COVID-19 SRD Grant are subjected to a means test, without any exceptions. The SRD Grant is targeted at the poor and the unemployed living below the food poverty line of R624.
Other reasons were as follows:
| Reason | Rejections |
| Debtor | 2 |
| Existing Sassa Grant | 222 |
| Government Employee Pension | 51 |
| Identity Verification Failed | 15 036 |
| Government Payroll Registered | 16 |
| NSFAS Registered | 3 656 |
| UIF Registered | 198 |
"There are various reasons as to why applications are declined or deemed not eligible," said the department.
Should these applicants have felt that they were wrongly rejected, they would then have the option of submitting a Sassa SRD grant appeal.
How To Appeal SRD Grant
As with all social assistance appeals, the appeal process is conveniently accessible electronically so you should be able to appeal and view your appeal status online.
Here's how to appeal
- Visit the Idependent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) website.
- Enter your identification number.
- Enter the cell phone number used during the application process.
- Click "Send Pin."
- Once you receive the pin, input it and click "Submit."
- Choose the month you are appealing for.
- Select the reason for your appeal from the provided options.
- Click "Submit" to complete the appeal application.
To oversee appeals related to the SRD R350 grant, the Minister of Social Development (DSD) has appointed the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals.
How To Track Your SRD Grant Appeal
- Visit the Sassa Appeals Website.
- Enter your ID number.
- Enter your telephone number.
- Track your appeal.
- Alternatively, you can contact the Sassa Call Centre at 0800 601 011 for assistance. If you've already submitted an appeal, there's no need to submit another or contact the Sassa office.
Importantly, ensure that your contact details are accurate, as the outcome of your appeal will be communicated through a confirmation message via SMS.
