Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has confirmed that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, commonly known as the R370 grant, will be extended until March 2026. The announcement was made during the delivery of the 2025 National Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday, offering a major relief to millions of South Africans still grappling with unemployment and economic hardship.
Initially introduced in May 2020 as a temporary response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SRD grant has since become a vital safety net for over 8.5 million beneficiaries monthly. Its latest extension signals government’s continued acknowledgment of structural poverty and persistent joblessness in the country.
“We have made provision for the extension of the Social Relief of Distress grant until March 2026, while we work on options for a longer-term replacement,” said Minister Godongwana in his address.
The grant is valued at R370 per month, and it is funded through the national budget under the Social Development Department, which has been allocated R284.8 billion for 2025/26. Of this, more than R33 billion is expected to go towards the SRD grant alone.
While civil society organisations and labour unions have long called for the institutionalisation of a Basic Income Grant, the minister reiterated that consultations are ongoing regarding a sustainable, fiscally responsible long-term model.
Social justice advocates have welcomed the extension but maintain that a permanent solution is urgently needed. “Extending the SRD grant until 2026 is welcome, but it must be backed by a long-term commitment to income support for the working class and unemployed,” said one advocacy group in response.
The Department of Social Development is expected to open new application and reapplication windows in the coming weeks to accommodate both new and existing beneficiaries.
What Beneficiaries Should Know:
- Grant amount: R370 per month
- New end date: March 2026
- Where to apply: srd.sassa.gov.za
- Who qualifies: South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees aged 18–59 with no source of income
This announcement marks a significant moment for South Africa’s social welfare landscape, as the government works to balance short-term relief with long-term sustainability.
