SASSA SRD Grant Amount 2026 — R370 Per Month Explained
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Check Status Now →The SASSA Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant pays R370 per month in 2026. It is one of the lowest grant amounts but reaches the largest number of people — over 8 million South Africans receive it each month.
Current SRD Grant Amount
| Grant | Monthly Amount | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| SRD R370 | R370 | April 2024 |
The amount has not increased for the 2026/2027 financial year as of mid-2026. The food poverty line (used to set the SRD amount) is reviewed annually.
History of the SRD Amount
| Period | Amount | Change |
|---|---|---|
| May 2020 – Jan 2021 | R350 | Original Covid-19 relief amount |
| Feb 2021 – March 2022 | R350 | Extended unchanged |
| April 2022 – March 2024 | R350 | No increase despite inflation |
| April 2024 – present | R370 | R20 increase (5.7%) |
The R370 amount is pegged roughly to the food poverty line — the minimum income needed to afford basic food. Civil society organizations have long argued this is insufficient and have called for a Basic Income Grant of at least R1 000.
Who Qualifies for the R370 SRD Grant?
- South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
- Between 18 and 59 years old
- Not employed
- Not receiving any other SASSA grant
- Not receiving NSFAS or UIF payments
- Monthly income below R624 (the means test threshold)
- Resident in South Africa
See the full means test guide for details on the income threshold.
Will the SRD Amount Increase?
The National Treasury determines SRD grant increases during the annual budget. The February 2026 budget speech set the food poverty line at R760 per person per month — significantly above the R370 SRD amount. Advocacy groups argue the grant should at minimum match the food poverty line.
An increase announcement would typically come in February (budget speech) with effect from April. No increase was announced for 2026/2027 as of this writing.
How R370 Is Paid
SASSA pays the R370 directly into:
- Your linked bank account (Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, etc.)
- Your PostBank card (if you have no bank account)
- Via Cash Send voucher at retail stores
Payment typically arrives between the 24th and 28th of each month. See payment dates for the current schedule.
How to Apply
Apply online at srd.sassa.gov.za using your ID number and phone number. The process takes about 10 minutes. See the how to apply guide for step-by-step instructions.
Check your application status using the free SASSA status tool.
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