April 2024 R20 SASSA increase gets mixed reactions
Social-rights group, Black Sash, in addressing the R20 SASSA SRD increase, still wants answers about the broader basic income grant.
It was revealed that a R20 SASSA SRD increase will come into effect on 1 April 2024 for the country’s neediest citizens. However, there’s been mixed reaction to the 5.7% increase, announced by the Finance Minister in the National Assembly this week (Wednesday 13 March).
APRIL 2024 R20 SASSA SRD INCREASE
Furthermore, the South African Social Security Agency expects applications for Social Relief of Distress to increase markedly as a result. In January 2024, SASSA received 16-million applications for SRD disbursements. So are the agency’s financial constraints, it only approved roughly half of these – 8.5 million.
Moreover, The Citizen believes the agency is battling as it is to pay R350 per month to the current beneficiaries. Quoting a partner at financial firm BDO, Professor David Warneke, “In the past, Godongwana rightly emphasised the need for sustainable economic growth to finance such initiatives (expanded SRD grants). However, implementing such a grant requires a stable economic foundation, which must be prioritised before introducing such a measure into the budget.”
Social-rights group, Black Sash, in addressing the R20 SASSA SRD increase, still wants answers about the broader basic income grant. As promised by President Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation address, it believes it’s all just ‘empty promises’ ahead of the 2024 General Election.
SRD IS A LIFELINE
Furthermore, Black Sash says government must not forget the Social Relief of Distress grant is a lifeline for black women unable to get jobs. Black women in South Africa are often left with the responsibility of caring for children or elders at home. Therefore, a R20 SASSA SRD increase is a failure on the part of the Minister, and a symptom of persistent defunding of the SRD grant.
Moreover, R36 billion was allocated to the SRD Grant in 2023. This was a 25% decrease from the R44 billion originally earmarked. As announced at the February budget speech, this drops further still to R33.6 billion this year. Advocacy groups say this diminishing of social grants is contrary to constitutionally enshrined human rights.
UNIVERSALLY CRITICISED
Likewise, the Social Policy Initiative points out that the Food Poverty Line currently sits at R760 per month. So, even factoring in the R20 SASSA SRD increase, how are South Africa’s unemployed meant to survive off R370? This amount is, “Not even enough to buy a loaf of bread a day for a month.” Other civil society groups are more conservative, thinking SASSA would up the stipend to R430 per month.
Currently, to qualify for the April 2024 R20 SASSA SRD increase, an applicant’s means must not exceed R624 per month (single or married). Note that there is no asset portion to the SASSA SRD assessment. If you are in dire financial need and would like to apply, follow the link HERE and follow the prompts. The entire application process is done digitally.
SRD PAYMENT DATES
The next scheduled SASSA SRD payment takes place from Monday 25 March 2024 to Friday 29 March 2024 (Good Friday). The first of the R20 SASSA SRD increase (R370) are due from Wednesday 24 April 2024 to Tuesday 20 April 2024.
A reminder that you must check you SASSA SRD grant status every month (click the highlighted link). Alternatively, you can WhatsApp 082 046 8553. Or call the SASSA SRD toll-free number on 0800 60 10 11 and follow the prompts.