SASSA received 9 million applications for SRD grant since 23 April

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reportedly received approximately 9 million applications for the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The application channels opened on 23 April.

Spokesperson reveals an increase in new applicants

Most applications for the SRD grant are from those who previously applied for it. TimesLIVE spoke with Paseka Letsatsi, SASSA’s spokesperson. Letsatsi said SASSA has seen a staggering rise in new applicants for the grant.

He explained that in the last cycle, over 15 million applications were received. Of the 15 million, around 10.6 million applications were approved and paid, according to Letsatsi.

In April, SASSA encouraged citizens to reapply for the SRD grant. This followed news of the grant being shifted to th4e Social Assistance Act from the Disaster Management Act. The shift occurred after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the end of the National State of Disaster.

Letsatsi said, on air, that the move would not impact payments for applicants who had already been approved.

“Since the State of Disaster ended, the grant has to be included under the Social Assistance Act. Sassa cannot process applications without making sure the law is followed. It is an administrative arrangement we are confident will be resolved and not leave people behind. We don’t want people to panic,”

said Letsatsi.

WhatsApp line opens for SRD grant applications

R350 grant: Post Office decision ‘COULD’ be reversed- Here’s why

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will leverage all the parliamentary channels to oppose the decision by the South African Post Office (SAPO) to stop paying out the R350 SRD grant.

On Tuesday the Post Office announced that it will no longer pay out the R350 SRD grant to reduce long queues at its branches.

Spokesperson, Johan Kruger said a new round of applications for the R350 SRD grant has opened which now includes an option where beneficiaries can receive their grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave merchant.

The DA said it will write to the Ministers of Digital Technologies and Communications and Social Development to urge them to reverse the senseless decision by the Post Office to no longer pay the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant at its branches.