SASSA Urged to Increase SRD R350 Grant Amount Amid Rising Living Costs

As the cost of living in South Africa continues to rise, there are growing calls for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to increase the amount of the Special Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 grant.

What is the SRD R350 Grant?

The SRD R350 grant was introduced by SASSA in April 2020 to provide temporary relief to those who have lost their income or employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is paid out in monthly installments of R350 and has been extended several times, most recently until September 2022.

Why is the Grant Amount an Issue?

The SRD R350 grant has been a lifeline for many South Africans who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. However, the grant amount has remained unchanged since it was first introduced, while the cost of living in South Africa continues to rise.

Many South Africans are finding it increasingly difficult to cover basic expenses such as rent, food, and healthcare, and are calling for the grant amount to be increased to provide more meaningful relief.

What is Being Done?

There have been growing calls for SASSA to increase the SRD R350 grant amount. However, SASSA has not yet announced any plans to increase the grant amount.

Some experts have suggested that the government should consider a more comprehensive social protection system that provides more long-term support to those in need.

Trusted Sources

• News24
• BusinessLive
• SowetanLIVE