SASSA Unemployment Grant Application Online 2024

The South African Social Security Agency, SASSA, is a dedicated agency by the Department of Home Affairs in South African responsible for the social welfare of its people. One way it has been able to achieve its goals is by providing grants for different categories of the vulnerable in South Africa. It is important to note that there is no grant offered by SASSA by the name ‘unemployment grant’. However, there is a SASSA grant that targets the unemployed citizens in South Africa. This is the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. It took effect after the Covid-19 pandemic where millions of South Africans were rendered jobless. Hence, it is aimed at providing a financial boost to these individuals. This article explains more about the SRD grant and how to apply for it.

SASSA Unemployment Grant

The South African government has taken measures to curb the high poverty and unemployment levels in the country. While it is trying to provide more job opportunities for its people, there are some social welfare policies and initiatives set up to ensure that the citizens are able to afford basic essentials as they wait. One such initiative is the SRD grant, one of many grants offered by SASSA to aid financially unstable individuals.

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, in particular, was put in place to provide financial support to South African citizens who are unemployed. Besides permanent residents, the grant is available to refugees and holders of asylum seeker permits. It was first implemented in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic that rendered many people jobless. Now, this grant aids almost 7 million South Africans who receive the grant every month from SASSA.

Also Check: How to Apply for Basic Income Grant in South Africa

How to apply for SASSA unemployment grant?

First, before applying for the SRD grant, you have to meet its eligibility criteria. It is as follows:

Must be a citizen of South Africa or a permanent resident
Must be jobless
Must be between 18 and 59 years
Must not receive any other grant from a state-affiliated institution or the South African government
Must not be beneficiaries of the National Student Aid Scheme or the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Also Check: SASSA Universal Basic Income 2025

With the introduction on an online portal, application of this grant has never been simpler. Before applying, ensure that you have your South African ID, asylum permit, or special residency permit and a registered phone number to complete the application process online. Next,

Visit SASSA official website, particularly the SRD portal
Enter your phone number and click on Send SMS
You will then receive a One-time password on your phone. Enter this OTP and click on Verify PIN.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
For ID holders, you can provide your ID number while others input their special permit file number.
Enter your personal details in their respective fields including your name, surname, address, and gender.
Enter your banking details and choose your preferred payment option.
Click on Submit.

Once submitted, you must wait for SASSA to verify all your details and cross-check your eligibility. This may take a while but you are advised to monitor your application on the same website by checking your status.

Also Check: 5 Reasons Why Universal Basic Income Is a Bad Idea

Conclusion

There is no grant by SASSA referred to as the ‘unemployment grant’ but SASSA does offer a grant that caters for the unemployed in the country, the SRD grant. Applying for this grant is not a difficult process—as outlined above. Ensure that you track your application via the SASSA website so you can stay up to date on your status.