How To Apply for the SRD R350 Grant
Beneficiaries can now apply for the R350 grant differently under a new policy being introduced by the Department of Social Development. The department had to make these changes following the lifting of the National State of Disaster.
To lift the National State of Disaster (NSoD), the National Disaster Management Act (DMA) needed to be transferred to a new law, the Social Assistance Act (SAA), which already provided for such assistance.
After the grant was moved from the DMA to the SSA, all current applicants were required to reapply. With a R44 billion allocation from the National Treasury, the department will be able to cater for 10.5 million of the 10.9 million accepted applicants in the first two months.
Despite the critically important role played by the R350, it is insufficient to maintain dignity for beneficiaries. Therefore, the department has announced that it will endeavor to connect grant recipients with jobs and other economic opportunities by working with other stakeholders.
Department of Social Development (DSD) officials have told the media that people can only apply for the R350 grant via digital channels, which include WhatsApp, an online website, and the SASSA Mobile App (which is still being developed and will be implemented gradually over the course of this year).
We have introduced a new screening questionnaire to strengthen candidate screening. As part of this new screening, candidates are asked to provide personal details, including, ID numbers, educational information, work experience, and banking information.
The application now asks when the applicant last worked and whether they have any other income.
According to Ms Brenda Sibeko, applications will be vetted using digital channels, such as the country’s population register, the South African Revenue Service, banks, and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
Grant recipients will have to indicate every three months whether they still require the grant. The grant will not be required if the customer does not reengage every three months, and will encourage more active participation between SASSA and the client.
According to him, if the method didn’t work, the department would eliminate it. He responded to a question regarding the practicality of communicating with SASSA every three months. Also, the agency will verify that someone has been hired with the Department of Employment and Labor.
Chief Director of the department of social assistance, Mr. B Van Vrede, says that the means test only considers the amounts received in the account, not the sources of the funds. For a process to be completed, certain parts of the application form must be filled out (not all).
