SASSA SRD Grant Qualification Criteria 2025
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has a proper qualification criterion for SRD grant applicants. The grant is limited to those who are either unemployed or earning very little. If you are eager to apply for the SRD grant, then you must read the SASSA SRD grant eligibility criteria for 2025.
SASSA SRD Grant Qualification Criteria 2025
Without further ado, let’s discuss what the terms and conditions are that everyone must follow to qualify for SRD grant payments.
Type of Residency Required
To qualify for this grant, you must be a permanent South African resident, a South African citizen, or a recognized refugee or asylum seeker with valid documentation issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Individuals holding special permits such as the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP), or Angolan Special Permit (ASP) may also be eligible, provided their documentation is up to date.
However, temporary residents, foreign nationals without proper documentation, and tourists are not eligible for this grant. If you are temporarily residing in South Africa and are unemployed, you do not qualify, as the grant is intended to support those who have legal and permanent ties to the country.
Qualifying Age Limit
SASSA has limited the age between 18 to 59 years old. This makes sense as people who are under 18 can apply for other SASSA grants such as the Child Support Grant, Disability grant, or Foster Child grant. Also, those who are older than 59 can apply for the Older Person’s grant.
Financial Status
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must demonstrate financial need. Specifically, you must be unemployed or have a monthly income of R624 or less. This income threshold is set to ensure that the grant reaches individuals who are truly in need of financial support.
Not a Beneficiary of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Applicants who are currently receiving funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are not eligible for this grant. NSFAS provides financial support for students in higher education, and receiving assistance from both NSFAS and SASSA would be considered double-dipping, which is not allowed.
If you are an NSFAS beneficiary, it means your basic living expenses and education costs are already being subsidized by the government, and as such, you do not qualify for this specific social relief grant.
SASSA conducts regular cross-checks with NSFAS databases, so any attempt to apply while receiving NSFAS funding may result in automatic disqualification or rejection of your application.
Not a Beneficiary of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
To qualify for this grant, you must not be receiving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits. The UIF is designed to provide short-term financial relief to individuals who have lost their jobs, are on maternity leave, or are unable to work due to illness or other valid reasons.
UIF contributions are made during formal employment:
- The employee contributes 1% of their monthly salary.
- The employer contributes another 1%, making a total of 2% of the employee’s salary paid into the UIF.
Not Living in any Government Institution
If you are living in any of the following government-operated institutions, you are not eligible for the SRD grant.
- Public hospitals or rehabilitation centres
- Government-funded old age homes or care facilities
- Prisons, correctional centres, or holding cells
- State-run shelters or long-term residential programs
F.A.Q
Can I apply for the SRD grant if my age is below 18 years?
No, you can not apply for the SRD grant if your age is below 18 years old. However, you can opt for the Child Support grant, the Foster Child Grant, or Disability grant.
Does the grant for blacks or whites?
There is no discrimination by SASSA to be eligible for the SRD grant. It does not matter if you are black or white unless you are fulfilling the required criteria.
Can I apply for the SRD grant if I’m a student without NSFAS funding?
Yes, you can apply as long as you are not receiving NSFAS or any other government financial aid. You must also meet the income and residency requirements.
Will owning a bank account affect my SRD grant eligibility?
No, owning a bank account does not affect eligibility. However, SASSA will use it to verify if your income exceeds the R624 monthly limit.
Can I qualify for the SRD grant if I recently lost my job but received UIF once?
You must not be receiving active UIF payments at the time of applying. Once UIF ends and your income drops below the threshold, you may qualify.
