Here Are The Big Changes and Updates to SRD Grants Coming in April 2024

Here Are The Big Changes and Updates to SRD Grants Coming in April 2024. South Africans relying on Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants can anticipate significant improvements starting April. Not only will monthly payments increase, but the structure of the grant itself is undergoing substantial alterations.

Here Are The Big Changes and Updates to SRD Grants Coming in April 2024

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is poised to disburse SRD grant payments to over 8 million recipients in April 2024, marking the introduction of augmented payment amounts for beneficiaries.

In March 2024, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced an increase in the SRD grant payment from R350 to R370, reflecting a 5.7% rise for the grant.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu confirmed the R20 SRD grant increase in Government Notice No. R. 3210 dated 29 March 2023.

Updated Regulations: What Beneficiaries Need to Know

Minister Zulu has unveiled significant updates to the SRD Grant through official gazettes, impacting beneficiaries across various circumstances.

“These Regulations are called the Amendment Regulations Relating to COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress, 2024 and come into operation on 01 April 2024 by publication of the Notice in the Gazette,” said the Minister.

The Gazette has confirmed the addition of regulations 6A, 6B, and 6C to the SRD grant rules, covering fund recovery, beneficiary details, and handling beneficiary deaths.

Section 6A: Recovery of Funds

Under Section 6A, Sassa gains the authority to retrieve funds disbursed to beneficiaries, outlining scenarios where such actions are warranted.

Primarily, this involves cases where ineligible individuals received SRD grant payments, requiring them to reimburse the full amount received incorrectly from Sassa.

Additionally, funds can be reclaimed from beneficiaries failing to respond to Sassa’s requests for personal information or bank details.

Section 6B: Death of a Beneficiary

Section 6B stipulates that if an SRD grant recipient passes away, their grant will cease at the end of the month of their demise, resulting in the termination of SRD grant payments.

Section 6C: Ensuring Continuous SRD Grant Payments

Section 6C outlines a temporary measure to ensure uninterrupted support during the transition to the new system. Sassa will utilize a beneficiary’s March 2024 assessment information to evaluate eligibility for an SRD grant payment.