The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed that payments for the new cycle of R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant will start in mid-June 2022.
The payments were delayed after the end of the COVID-19 national state of disaster in April. The Department of Social Development had to move the grant from the Disaster Act to the Social Assistance Act, and beneficiaries had to reapply.
As a result, SASSA has not yet paid out the grant to beneficiaries for the months of April and May. However, this will soon change, according to a statement by the Agency on Wednesday (1 June).
Pending SRD payments to start in mid-June 2022
“Payments for the new cycle of the special COVID-19 SRD grant (from April 2022) will be paid as from mid-June 2022,” the Agency said.
“SASSA will continue clearing outstanding payments from the previous cycle as and when the bank details are confirmed.
“The payments will not be done together, but will be done month by month. More than one payment may be made in a month, but no one will receive double payments in amount. SASSA will do these multiple payments in a month until the backlog is finalised, where after monthly payments will resume.”
SASSA has previously urged beneficiaries to use bank accounts because they are the most convenient. However, other channels include Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Usave and Checkers stores.
When you visit a retail store to collect your SRD grant, make sure have the cellphone number that you used when making your application.
Post Office stops payments
In May, the South Africa Post Office (SAPO) announced that its branches will no longer pay the R350 grant. This means that the previous payment dates system at the Post Office will no longer be used.
“If you have already reapplied for your SRD grant, you can still select the option to collect your grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave,” it said at the time.
“Log on to srd.sassa.gov.za and respond to the security SMS you receive on your phone. You can then include merchants in your application and submit the updated application.”
The long-awaited payments will bring considerable relief to beneficiaries across the country. More than 10 million South Africans receive the benefit, according to Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu.