The SRD grant has often been interchangeably and misleadingly used with the R550 Grant in the public discourse of the past few years; in 2025, however, it remains a lifeline for millions of unemployed and poor South Africans. However, official sources have stated that SRD respondents, as of August 2025, are paid a monthly stipend of R370, and the sources could not verify any increase to a stipend of R550. The intent of this article is to delineate and give context to the ancient questions of eligibility, application, and payment periods of the SRD Grant, while putting to rest the R550 rumor.
Eligibility criteria for the SRD Grant
The following criteria must have been fulfilled without exception for one to qualify for the SASSA SRD Grant for the year 2025:
- Residence: Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or registered refugee and reside in South Africa.
- An age between 18 and 59.
- Unemployed, not receiving UIF benefits, or receiving any other grants from SASSA, except for Child Support Grant
- Income threshold: a monthly income of not more than R624, either through bank statement or in any other acceptable method.
- No Institutional Support: An application must never be made to any public or private institution.The applicant must be able to produce a valid South African ID for the verification process, and there has to be an active contact telephone number.
About R550 Grant Amount
Recently some forums online have suggested the possibility that the SRD grant might be raised to R550 in 2025. Incidentally, this would be very soothing to consumers; however, according to SASSA press statements, the SRD amount remains R370 after a recent increase of R20 in April 2024. Certainly, the whispers probably arose in connection with the national budget discussion, but nothing has been changed thereto for 2025. Instead, beneficiaries should verify the information at www.sassa.gov.za.
Applying for an SRD Grant
There are a number of options to apply for an SRD Grant, with a few highlighted below:
- Online Application: Visit srd.sassa.gov.za.
- Fill in the form, submit the proof of your unemployment and proof of residence.
- Enter your South African ID number and phone number.
- You will get an SMS confirmation within 7-14 days.
2. WhatsApp:
- Save 082 046 8553 on your phone and send “SRD Grant”.
- Follow the instructions to send your details and documents
3. The USSD Code
- Just dial 1203210# or 12069277#.
- Pass on the ID together with the relevant information when prompted.
4. In Person:Apply in person at a SASSA office
- Bring with you the relevant ID, income, and residential documentation.
- Have an application form physically present with you.
- Applications are put on re-verification statuses every three months to check an applicant’s eligibility.
Payment Dates and Mode:
Payment of the SRD Grant is made in batches after usually around the last week of each month. The possible pay windows for 2025, as known currently, are:
- September 2025 Between 23rd and 30th September
- October 2025 Banking from 2nd to 6th October; Retail stores from 9th to 13th October
Payment Methods?
Payments can be made by:
- Bank Transfers: All payments are directly deposited into beneficiaries’ personal accounts.
- Retail stores: Beneficiaries may collect their payments from Shoprite, Pick n Pay, or Boxer.
- CashSend Service: Mobile money for the unbankedl
- SASSA Pay Points: Establish collection points within community areas.
Keep on refreshing srd.sassa.gov.za for updates on whether payment dates have been finalized.
Easy Flow Tips
Always keep your details up to date and current, so that processing is not held up. Check for status weekly, so you can act on any problems should it show “Pending” or “Declined.” Appeals may be lodged through srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals within 90 days. In the instance of fraud or disputes over deductions, report directly to the SASSA office at 0800 60 10 11.
also read: Good News For Pensioners: SASSA Old Age Grants Back On Track This September