The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has advised beneficiaries that they no longer need to reconfirm SRD grant very three months.
The requirement to reconfirm was put in place by new regulations promulgated in April after the end of the COVID-19 national state of disaster.
No need to reconfirm SRD grant
“Did you know that clients are no longer required to reconfirm their SRD grants every three months? Due to amended regulations, clients do not need to resubmit responses to screening questions,” SASSA said in a tweet last week.
This is among several changes that came into effect when Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu gazetted amendments to the R350 SRD grant regulations in August.
Another change is the increase in the SRD grant’s means test income threshold from R350 per person per month to R624. The new threshold means that more people will qualify for the grant, whose amount remains R350.
Just under 12 million people applied for the grant at the beginning of August 2022, the Agency confirmed in another update last week.
Correct bank account details
Meanwhile, SASSA advised applicants and beneficiaries to make sure they provide the correct bank account details to facilitate timeous grant payments. The bank account should still be active and registered in the applicant’s name.
“Clients are urged not to repeatedly change their bank details on the SRD website, as the account will have to be verified each time a change is made – which may delay payment for such a client,” the Agency added.
“It is recommended that clients open their own bank accounts with an institution of their choice, as it will assist them to take ownership of their funds and collection.”
Besides bank accounts, beneficiaries can also choose to receive their grants via retail outlets such as Pick n Pay, Boxer, Checkers, Shoprite and Usave.
The government introduced the SRD (social relief of distress) grant in April 2020 to cushion unemployed and other vulnerable people in South Africa from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.
There are discussions in government on the possible introduction of a basic income grant when the SRD grant comes to an end in March 2023.