The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has officially released the March 2025 payment schedule for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
This announcement follows the Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s recent budget speech confirming that the Sassa SRD grant will be extended until 31 March 2026, backed by an allocation of R35.2 billion from the National Treasury.
The SRD grant, which has provided financial relief to approximately eight million South Africans, including refugees and asylum seekers, has been in place since May 2020.
However, despite expectations for an increase, the grant amount remains unchanged at R370 per month.
Sassa SRD Grant Payment Dates for March 2025
Sassa processes Sassa SRD grant payments during the last week of each month after completing verification checks. Beneficiaries should anticipate a delay of two to three working days before funds appear in their accounts.
According to Sassa spokesperson Andile Tshona, payments for March will be processed from 20 March, with funds reflecting in accounts on the following dates:
| Payment Processing Date | Expected Deposit Date |
|---|---|
| 20 March 2025 | 26 March 2025 |
| 21 March 2025 | 27 March 2025 |
| 22 March 2025 | 28 March 2025 |
| 23 March 2025 | 29 March 2025 |
Checking Your Sassa SRD Grant Status
To confirm your exact payment date, Sassa encourages beneficiaries to verify their Sassa SRD grant status on the official Sassa SRD website during the payment week.
Who Can Apply for the Sassa SRD Grant?
Sassa has announced that applications for new beneficiaries for the April 2025 Sassa SRD grant cycle are now open. To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or hold a special permit.
- Must not receive other government support, including Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits, NSFAS bursaries, or permanent social grants.
- Be between 18 and 59 years old.
- Be unemployed with a bank account balance not exceeding R624.
How to Apply for the Sassa SRD Grant
Eligible individuals can apply online through the Sassa website by following these steps:
- Click the “Click here to apply online” button.
- Enter your mobile number and select “Send SMS”.
- Enter the one-time PIN (OTP) sent to your phone.
- Follow the prompts to complete your application.
How to Check Your Sassa SRD Grant Status via Phone
Applicants and beneficiaries can also verify their grant status through Sassa’s helpline:
- Dial 080 060 1011.
- Provide your ID number when prompted.
SRD Biometric Identification for Fraud Prevention
To enhance security and prevent fraud, Sassa introduced biometric verification for new SRD grant applicants. This step is mandatory before approval. However, existing beneficiaries are not required to complete biometric verification unless they encounter issues with their grant application.
For more information about the biometric verification process, beneficiaries can contact Sassa’s Toll-Free Call Centre at 0800 60 10 11 or send a WhatsApp message to 082-046-8553.
Sassa SRD Grant as the Foundation for Basic Income Grant (BIG)
During his Budget Speech, Minister Godongwana highlighted that the SRD grant could serve as a foundation for introducing a long-term Basic Income Grant (BIG) aimed at providing sustained financial support to the unemployed.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) is currently reviewing labour market programs, with a final report expected by September 2025.
Additionally, the department is working on drafting a Basic Income Grant policy, which it plans to submit to Parliament for consideration in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Sassa Queries and Contact Information
For any queries regarding SRD grant applications, payments, or biometric verification, beneficiaries can contact Sassa through the following channels:
- Toll-Free Call Centre: 0800 60 10 11
- Head Office Contact: 012 400 2322
- Email: GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za
FAQs
When will the March 2025 SRD grant payments be made?
Payments will be processed starting 20 March 2025, with funds reflecting in beneficiaries’ accounts between 26 and 29 March 2025.
Can I apply for the SRD grant if I already receive UIF benefits?
No, individuals receiving UIF benefits, NSFAS bursaries, or other government grants are not eligible for the SRD grant.
What is the minimum income requirement for SRD grant eligibility?
Applicants must have a monthly bank account balance below R624 to qualify for the Sassa SRD grant.