Latest news with #SocialReliefofDistress
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Collect your SASSA older person's grant today
SASSA has confirmed that Pretoria grant recipients can collect their payments from today, with June payout dates now officially announced. Below are the payment dates for Older Person's, Disability, and Children's grants in June: Older Person's Grant 3 June 2025 Disability Grant 4 June 2025 Children's Grant 5 June 2025 All social grants, barring the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, increased in April this year. During his presentation of the 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana reported that the number of individuals receiving social grants—excluding recipients of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant—was projected to grow to roughly 19 million in the 2025/26 financial year, and to approximately 19.3 million by 2027/28. This increase is attributed to a rising elderly population. For the 2025/26 period, Godongwana confirmed that social grants were allocated a total of about R284.7 billion. 'As outlined by the President during the State of the Nation Address, the SRD grant is intended to serve as a foundation for developing a long-term income support mechanism for unemployed individuals. 'The future direction and structure of the SRD grant will be shaped by the findings of the ongoing review of active labour market policies, which is scheduled for completion by September 2025. 'In reality, South Africa has one of the most extensive social protection systems among developing nations. This demonstrates our dedication to reducing poverty and inequality, while maintaining responsible fiscal management,' he said. The following grant increases came into effect in April: Old age grant: increased from R2,185 to R2,315 War veterans grant: increased from R2,205 to R2,335 Disability grant: increased from R2,185 to R2,315 Foster care grant: increased from R1,180 to R1,250 Care dependency grant: increased from R2,185 to R2,315 Child support grant: increased from R530 to R560 Grant-in-aid: increased from R530 to R560 According to the National Treasury's Budget Review, an additional R8.2 billion was allocated to social grants over the medium term to help offset the rising cost of living. 'A total of R35.2 billion was set aside to continue the SRD grant at its current rate of R370 per month per recipient, inclusive of administrative expenses,' the department stated. Also read: Is there an outbreak of Staphylococcus in Pretoria? Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Collect your June SASSA grants from tomorrow
SASSA has confirmed that Pretoria grant recipients can collect their payments from tomorrow, with June payout dates now officially announced. Below are the payment dates for Older Person's, Disability, and Children's grants in June: Older Person's Grant 3 June 2025 Disability Grant 4 June 2025 Children's Grant 5 June 2025 All social grants, barring the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, increased in April this year. Delivering the 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stated that the number of social grant beneficiaries – excluding those receiving the SRD grant – was expected to rise to around 19 million in 2025/26 and 19.3 million in 2027/28 due to a growing population of older persons. Godongwana said that for 2025/26, social grants were allocated approximately R284.7 billion. 'As announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address, the SRD was to be used as a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people. 'The future form and nature of the SRD would be informed by the outcome of the review of active labour market programmes, which was expected to be completed by September 2025. 'The truth was that ours was one of the most comprehensive social safety nets among emerging economies. This reflected our commitment to addressing poverty and inequality, while keeping our spending sustainable,' he said. The grant increases that took effect in April were: Old age grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 War veterans grant: increased from R2205 to R2335 Disability grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 Foster care grant: increased from R1180 to R1250 Care dependency grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 Child support grant: increased from R530 to R560 Grant-in-aid: increased from R530 to R560 In the Budget Review, National Treasury stated that the budget for social grants was increased by R8.2 billion over the medium term to account for higher living costs. 'An amount of R35.2 billion was allocated to extend the payment at the current SRD rate of R370 per month per beneficiary, including administration costs,' the department said. Also read: Is there an outbreak of Staphylococcus in Pretoria? Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Collect your June SASSA grants from next week
Collect your June SASSA grants from next week SASSA has confirmed that Pretoria grant recipients can collect their payments from next week, with June payout dates now officially announced. Below are the payment dates for Older Person's, Disability, and Children's grants in June: Older Person's Grant 3 June 2025 Disability Grant 4 June 2025 Children's Grant 5 June 2025 All social grants, barring the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, increased in April this year. Delivering the 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stated that the number of social grant beneficiaries – excluding those receiving the SRD grant – was expected to rise to around 19 million in 2025/26 and 19.3 million in 2027/28 due to a growing population of older persons. Godongwana said that for 2025/26, social grants were allocated approximately R284.7 billion. 'As announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address, the SRD was to be used as a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people. 'The future form and nature of the SRD would be informed by the outcome of the review of active labour market programmes, which was expected to be completed by September 2025. 'The truth was that ours was one of the most comprehensive social safety nets among emerging economies. This reflected our commitment to addressing poverty and inequality, while keeping our spending sustainable,' he said. The grant increases that took effect in April were: Old age grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 War veterans grant: increased from R2205 to R2335 Disability grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 Foster care grant: increased from R1180 to R1250 Care dependency grant: increased from R2185 to R2315 Child support grant: increased from R530 to R560 Grant-in-aid: increased from R530 to R560 In the Budget Review, National Treasury stated that the budget for social grants was increased by R8.2 billion over the medium term to account for higher living costs. 'An amount of R35.2 billion was allocated to extend the payment at the current SRD rate of R370 per month per beneficiary, including administration costs,' the department said. Also read: Is there an outbreak of Staphylococcus in Pretoria? Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time Business News
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
SRD Status Check: How to Track Your SASSA R350 Grant Application
If you're a South African who applied for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, you've probably wondered—'How do I check my SASSA R350 or R370 grant application status?' You're not alone. Millions rely on this vital support from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), especially after the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about the SRD Status Check, how to track your application, understand different statuses like 'Pending' or 'Declined,' and find out when you'll get paid. Whether you're using your mobile phone, the SASSA website, or a data-free app, this article is here to help you through the process in a simple and human way. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant was introduced in May 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim? To provide financial relief to unemployed South Africans and those not receiving any other form of income support, like UIF or NSFAS. Initially, the monthly grant amount was R350. However, starting April 2024, it was increased to R370. The grant continues to serve as a lifeline for millions. Before you can collect your payment, you must make sure your application is approved. SASSA sends SMS notifications to applicants who are approved, along with a payment date. No SMS? No payout. That's where the SRD Status Check comes in—it helps you track the progress of your application, see if it's approved, and find out when your money will be available. Let's quickly go over the different statuses you might see when checking your SASSA grant: Pending : Your application is still being reviewed. : Your application is still being reviewed. Approved : Your application has been accepted, and you will receive payment. : Your application has been accepted, and you will receive payment. Declined : Unfortunately, your application didn't meet the requirements. : Unfortunately, your application didn't meet the requirements. Failed : There was an error processing your application—this might need a manual fix. : There was an error processing your application—this might need a manual fix. Reapplication Required: You'll need to resubmit some information. Payment dates are critical! You'll need to wait for an SMS confirmation before collecting your grant. Here's the payout schedule for May 2025: Payday Payment Date Monday May 26, 2025 Tuesday May 27, 2025 Wednesday May 28, 2025 Thursday May 29, 2025 Friday May 30, 2025 Saturday May 31, 2025 If you didn't receive an SMS on one of these days, your status is probably still pending or needs attention. Besides the SRD grant, other grants like the Older Persons, Disability, and Children's grants follow a predictable schedule. Here's a quick reference: Month Older Persons Disability Grant Children's Grant January 2024 03 Jan 04 Jan 05 Jan February 2024 02 Feb 05 Feb 06 Feb March 2024 05 Mar 06 Mar 07 Mar … … … … May 2025 06 May 07 May 08 May These dates are useful if you're collecting more than one type of SASSA grant. You've got options! Whether you prefer online, mobile, or even data-free methods—there's something for everyone. Visit Enter your ID number and phone number, click 'Check Status,' and boom—your SRD grant status shows up in seconds. Head to Enter your ID and phone number to get your real-time status. Find this ID in the email you received when applying. You can use it to log into the SASSA portal and get detailed status updates. Don't have data? Download the Moya App. Navigate to the 'Discovery' tab, select 'SASSA,' and check your status by entering your ID and phone number—no mobile data needed! Send a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456. Provide your full name and AppID. You'll get your status from a SASSA representative in the same chat. Dial any of the following: 120 69277# 69277# 134 7737# 7737# 120 3210# Enter your application ID and phone number when prompted to get a free status update via SMS. If your payment method is via bank transfer, simply visit the ATM after your scheduled payment date and check your balance. If it shows R370, your grant has been paid. Download the official SASSA SRD R350 mobile app. It lets you check your application status, appeal results, and reconsideration status all in one place. Don't panic if your application is declined or marked as failed. Here's what you can do: Check the reason: Usually provided with the status. Appeal: Go back to the SASSA website and click on the appeal section. Update your information: Make sure your phone number, bank details, and ID are correct. Some of the common reasons include: You're already receiving other financial aid (e.g., UIF or NSFAS). You have incorrect or outdated information. Your monthly income is over the threshold. Keep your ID and phone number updated. Check your status regularly using the methods above. Never ignore a 'Pending' status—follow up on it. Make sure your bank details are correct and match your ID. Doing your SRD Status Check is one of the most important steps after applying for the SASSA grant. Whether you're approved, pending, or declined—knowing your application status gives you clarity and helps you plan your finances accordingly. If you're looking for a reliable and updated source to check your SASSA grant status, you can always visit It's quick, user-friendly, and provides real-time updates about your SRD application. If you found this guide helpful, make sure to bookmark it or share it with someone who also relies on the SASSA R370 grant. Times are tough—but staying informed helps a lot. Let us know if you have any questions or need further help in the comments below! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Budget 3.0 was not a chainsaw budget, economists say
According to reports, this time all the parties in the government of national unity is happy with Budget 3.0. Budget 3.0 was not a US Department of Government Efficiency-style chainsaw budget, economists say, after Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana delivered Budget 2025 at last on Wednesday. Mike van der Westhuizen, portfolio manager at Citadel, says the third version of Budget 2025 was carefully calibrated to maintain political harmony within the government of national unity (GNU), but risks remain. 'It is a safe budget and they have done enough – for now. But the real story lies in what was left out, not what was included and it faces risks if the fiscally expensive Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant becomes permanent, or if the economic growth that it is intended to stimulate does not materialise.' Van der Westhuizen also notes that while the budget maintains fiscal consolidation and avoids austerity, spending reductions merely reverse earlier expansions seen in Budget 1.0. 'The SRD grant, which has been extended to March 2026 without any long-term funding plan is a key concern. 'A court ruling could compel government to make the SRD grant permanent and expand its reach, ballooning the cost from R35 billion to over R66 billion annually. None of this has been budgeted for in the outer years.' ALSO READ: Budget 3.0: Fuel levy replaced VAT hike but is it the better option? Also important what Budget 3.0 leaves out He also points out that Budget 3.0 leaves out several items that could pose fiscal risks in the near future, especially if they are added back in during the medium-term budget or next annual budget. 'There is also no mention of National Health Insurance (NHI), likely due to affordability concerns. 'In addition, several spending pressures were deferred rather than resolved, including support for Transnet's debt refinancing, the gap left by the withdrawal of key donor funding, such as USAID's PEPFAR programme, funding for Prasa's proposed rolling stock fleet renewal, infrastructure pipeline projects, population-driven provincial allocations, political party funding and resources for key institutions like the Office of the Chief Justice and Statistics SA. 'These omissions represent a significant risk if any of them materialise later this year without a matching revenue plan.' Van der Westhuizen says while there was no VAT increase anymore, tax pressures remain. 'Consumers may feel temporary relief from the decision to keep VAT at 15%, but the budget quietly introduces other tax pressures. 'There was no inflation adjustment to personal income tax brackets, which effectively increases the tax burden on individuals. A modest fuel levy hike kicks in from June and further tax changes are expected in the 2026 Budget to plug an estimated R20 billion revenue gap.' He says while Budget 3.0 is politically pragmatic and avoids market shocks, it is not without vulnerabilities. 'Unless growth improves and spending pressures are permanently resolved, the risks will only grow. It is a fine balancing act and right now the balance remains precarious.' ALSO READ: Sensible or underwhelming? Economists react to Godongwana's Budget 3.0 Fiscal consolidation in Budget 3.0 Arthur Kamp, chief economist at Sanlam Investments, says fiscal consolidation remains the central theme, with a combination of spending cuts and revenue raising measures roped in to stabilise and ultimately lower government's debt ratio over the medium term. 'The debt trajectory is, nonetheless, higher than previously projected by Treasury, given downward revisions to gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts. This serves to illustrate the ongoing challenge of fiscal consolidation in a low growth environment.' He points out that the emphasis on infrastructure spending is maintained but that expenditure risks still lurk and a decrease in the ratio of non-interest spending to GDP is delayed to the outer years of the medium-term framework. 'The cornerstone of fiscal consolidation remains a projected improvement in the primary budget balance. However, the tax-to-GDP ratio increases over the medium term, although the hope is that additional allocations to Sars will extend the nascent improvement in tax administration and remove the need for future (currently unspecified) tax increases.' ALSO READ: Godongwana cuts zero-rated food basket in Budget 3.0 Compromises and trade-offs in Budget 3.0 Prof Raymond Parsons, economist at the NWU Business School, also calls Budget 3.0 pragmatic given the current circumstances. 'As the minister emphasised, various compromises and trade-offs were inevitably necessary to now achieve a workable 'balancing of the books' which is confidence-building. 'The commitment to spending reviews is also an essential one. The overall thrust of Budget 3.0 shows a strong pivot in fiscal strategy towards growth and investment, which is where the basic solutions to South Africa's public finance challenges ultimately lie. 'If fully implemented, the strong emphasis on infrastructural development bodes well for the 3% GDP growth in the medium term envisaged by the GNU. However, both the role of Operation Vulindlela and the participation of private sector investment indeed remain indispensable to successful delivery of key infrastructural outcomes, especially in transport, logistics, energy and water.' Parsons says therefore, the latest Budget provided a combined policy and project foundation on which to build South Africa's fiscal sustainability over the longer term. 'With the debt-to-GDP ratio to be stabilised at a higher level of 77%, the margin for error continues to remain small. 'There are still future risks to fiscal policy, as highlighted by the higher debt-to-GDP ratio and the warning that the 2027 Budget may have to consider new taxes. The good news is that this is now a GNU Budget, which is not only a plus for political stability, but should also ensure its subsequent passage through the various parliamentary processes.' ALSO READ: Godongwana cuts government spending to offset VAT shortfall The importance of promoting policy certainty He says what is also important to promote policy certainty is that the positive reforms in Budget 3.0 are speedily implemented and are also seen as irreversible. 'This includes the investment in Sars' capacity to improve tax collection and revenues. 'The fact that the original assumption underpinning the Budget of 1.9% GDP growth this year has been sharply reduced to 1.4% recognises the new global and domestic economic realities shaping South Africa's growth prospects. 'While this assumption may still be on the optimistic side, the more conservative Treasury projection nonetheless simply confirms why the third budget needed to be strongly growth-dominated. 'If South Africa wants to grow its tax base to enlarge its fiscal space, it needs a rapidly expanding economy with faster job creation. In addition, taxpayers must see they are getting value for money.'
