Government Confirms Continuation of R370 SRD Grant Amid Rumors of Its Discontinuation
In response to recent concerns and misinformation surrounding the future of South Africa’s R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, Minister Ntshavheni has clarified that the government currently has no plans to end the grant. This follows Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) and the recent SRD-related court case regarding its constitutionality.
Government’s Commitment to the SRD Grant
Ntshavheni recently addressed the misinformation, assuring South Africans that the SRD grant, increased this year from R350 to R370, remains an essential intervention for many citizens facing financial hardship. The Minister emphasized that despite ongoing discussions on sustainable welfare measures, there is no decision to terminate the SRD grant at this stage.
In February, Minister Godongwana allocated R33.6 billion for the SRD grant, which was subsequently topped up by an additional R2.7 billion in the MTBPS. This provision ensures funding through the end of the current fiscal year, covering over eight million grant recipients.
Future of the SRD Grant: Basic Income Grant on the Table
Ntshavheni highlighted that the government is exploring alternative long-term support solutions, including the potential establishment of a basic income grant. This possibility, along with other measures, is under consideration by an inter-ministerial committee in collaboration with the National Treasury and Department of Social Development.
She explained that the SRD grant’s sustainability is being closely examined, noting, “Until we find a replacement solution, the Minister of Finance will have to continue to make an intervention.”
SRD Grant Court Case: Calls for Expanded Access
In addition to misinformation about its discontinuation, the SRD grant is also facing legal scrutiny. Advocacy groups #PayTheGrants and the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) recently challenged the grant’s application regulations in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The groups argue that the online-only application system excludes vulnerable individuals with limited internet access, leaving many eligible South Africans without assistance.
The grant, initially launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, was extended to those earning below R624 per month and is currently set to continue until March 2025. However, ongoing advocacy efforts aim to ensure that all eligible individuals, especially those facing technological barriers, can access this crucial support.
Clarifying the Misinformation
As the SRD grant continues to be a vital support mechanism, Ntshavheni urges South Africans to disregard claims about its discontinuation. “We accepted that the SRD grant remains an essential intervention, but that intervention may not be sustainable even if people are saying it’s not enough,” she added, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing immediate needs while working on a sustainable solution.
Also read: 2025 SASSA Grant Increase Predictions: How the Mid-Term Budget Affects Beneficiaries
