The Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) was originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the unemployed during the lockdown period. The grant was so popular, and a lifeline for so many, that the government felt it had to continue with the grant.
The SRD Grant was renewed a number of times and has now become a regular part of the SASSA social grant range. The grant was increased only once from R350 to R370.
During the Finance Minister's MTBPS speech on the 30th October 2024 there was no specific mention of extending or ending the SRD Grant. There was also no news on the much-anticipated change from the grant to a Basic Income Grant. This has been called for by many in civil society for many years but there has been push-back from those who claim it will be too expensive for the government to afford.
As no mention of a BIG was made in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement it does not seem as though this is something that the government is expecting to implement soon.
Other news in the Finance Minister's speech was that money will be spent by the government in digitising and simplifying the application process for SASSA social grants. This should also improve the distribution of these grants.
As there was no news of an increase in the SRD Grant amount, South Africans will have to wait until February when the main Budget speech outlines the exact money to be spent on grants for the year. This will confirm whether the SRD Grant will stay the same at R370 or will be increased.
