Independent decision guide
SASSA social grants vs the SRD grant
South Africa has several social grants for people who meet specific age, care, disability or other statutory criteria. The SRD grant is a separate, temporary relief programme with its own eligibility and application rules. A person should check the rules for the specific programme rather than assuming one application covers all grants.
Which should you choose?
Start with the official SASSA grant information and identify the grant type that matches your circumstances. Eligibility and amounts can change, so do not rely on an old social-media post or a third-party status checker.
| Aspect | Ongoing social grants | Social Relief of Distress (SRD) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Support for defined categories such as older persons, disability or child care. | Temporary relief under the SRD programme rules in force. |
| Eligibility | Grant-specific statutory and means-test rules apply. | Separate age, residency, income and other criteria may apply. |
| Application route | Use SASSA’s official grant service or a local SASSA office. | Use the official SRD portal and its current instructions. |
| Payment and status | Check the official SASSA channel for that grant. | Status and decisions are shown through the official SRD portal. |