For millions of South African citizens, who are reliant on SASSA to come to their aid during financial emergencies, the biggest announcement of relief comes in April 2025. The monthly amount of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has now risen to R400 from R350, and this increase comes as new support to struggling citizens financially.
ALSO READ: SASSA R2,110 Grant Payment 2025- Eligibility, Payment Dates, And Application Guide
What was the reason behind increasing the amount of SRD grant?
This SRD grant started being rolled out to financially support unemployed and lower-income citizens in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now in 2025, this amount has increased taking into consideration inflation rise and cost of living. This is yet another attempt of the government to relieve the public.
Double payment in April 2025
SASSA stated in April 2025 that eligible beneficiaries will receive a double payment. This will serve as compensation for delayed previous payments so that citizens can benefit from some more relief.
Who qualifies for the new R400 grant?
If you are interested in knowing whether you qualify for this increase in grant value read the eligibility conditions below thoroughly:
Citizenship and residence:
- You must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognized refugee.
- You must live in South Africa when applying.
Income and Employment:
- You should not be employed.
- Not receiving any other government social assistance.
- Your monthly income must be below R624.
Age Limits:
- Should be over 18 years of age.
- Bank Account and Contact Information
- You must have a valid bank account where payments can be sent.
An active mobile number and a valid email address must be maintained to send updated information.
April 2025 payment schedule
SASSA established a systematic plan for the distribution of grants according to the last digit of the beneficiary’s ID number:
| Last Digit of ID | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | April 25, 2025 |
| 2 and 3 | April 26, 2025 |
| 4 and 5 | April 27, 2025 |
| 6 and 7 | April 28, 2025 |
| 8 and 9 | April 29, 2025 |
Payment dates for the rest of 2025
Starting in April, the SRD R400 grant will be disbursed from the 17th to the 23rd of every month throughout the rest of the year.
Payment dates for other SASSA grants
| Grant Type | Monthly Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Older Person’s Grant | 3rd of every month |
| Disability Grant | 4th of every month |
| Child Support Grant | 5th of every month |
How to apply for the SRD R400?
SASSA has made the application process very simple. You can apply in three ways:
Apply online
- Go to the website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za
- Click on “Apply for SRD”
- Complete the form and upload the required documents
You will receive confirmation via SMS after the submission
Apply via WhatsApp
- Send “Hi” to WhatsApp: 082 046 8553
Follow the prompts and fill in the information
Apply at a SASSA office
- Take all the relevant documents with you
- Complete the form with the assistance of the staff there
- Obtain a reference number so you can see the progress of your application
Documents needed for application
- South African ID or refugee permit
- Bank account details
- Proof of income, if applicable
- Valid mobile number
Final thoughts
Having the new SRD Grant amount increased to R400 is a huge relief to millions of South Africans who struggle to make ends meet day by day. This support will even be more accessible with timely payments and easy SASSA application processing.
If you have not applied yet, get going and make sure your application is correct and complete. Calendar your payment dates so no installments are missed.
This shows a lot not only the financial support but also that the government can recognize the needs of its citizens and can alleviate them from time to time.
FAQs
Q1. What is the new amount for the SRD grant?
A. The SRD grant has been increased to R400 per month.
Q2. When will the increased SRD grant payments commence?
A. The increased payments are expected to begin in June 2025, following the government’s implementation of the court ruling by May 2025.
Q3. Who is eligible for the SRD grant?
A. Eligibility for the SRD grant includes South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees aged 18-59 who are unemployed and meet the income threshold.