People in South Africa are afraid that the Social Relief of Distress grant will stop in 2025 or not. As we know, millions of people in South Africa are benefiting from the Social Relief of Distress SRD grant. SRD grant has become the lifeline for millions of South African citizens. SASSA started the Social Relief of Distress in 2020 to cover up the adverse effects of the COVID wave.
The Social Relief of Distress is for the people who lost their jobs in COVID-19 time. All of the unemployed people of South Africa who meet other requirements for the SRD grant are getting the monthly benefit through SASSA. Now, the question is whether the SASSA Social Relief of Distress grant will stop in March 2025 or not, let’s elaborate on this below.
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SRD Grant Extended Until March 2025: A Lifeline for Many
As per the recent news from the South African govt, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the Social Relief of Distress grant will be extended until March 2025. This statement is given through the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by the President of South Africa.
The government thinks that the people are still suffering from financial issues although a lot of time has passed since the Coronavirus pandemic. The economy of South Africa also runs at a slow pace. It is required to disburse the Social Relief of Distress grant until March 2025.
The vulnerable people who do not have any job or any other means of living will continue to get the benefit of the Social Relief of Distress grant. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana also enlightened the positive effects of the SRD Grant and it should be given to the eligible people until March 2025.
What About a Post-2025 Plan for the SRD Grant?
The people are relieved to know that they will receive the Social Relief of Distress Grant till March 2025 but they are also worried about what after March 2025. As per the news, the Social Relief of Distress Grant will continue until March 2025. So, what are the govt plans for the needy people after March 2025?
The South African govt has set a budget of R33.6 million for the Social Relief of Distress Grant. This fund is for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. So, the govt has allocated the funds for the Social Relief of Distress grant but has not confirmed to continue the grant after March 2025.
It is speculated that the South African govt is thinking of changing the eligibility criteria for the Social Relief of Distress and maybe the name of the Social Relief of Distress will be changed and the people will get the benefit through other grants.
Earlier, the govt also increases the monthly amount of Social Relief of Distress Grant from R350 to R370. The increment in the monthly amount is 5.7%. The people are suggested not to worry about the Social Relief of Distress continuation, the South African govt will leave millions of people without help.
Could the SRD Grant Be Replaced by a Basic Income Grant?
There are speculations that the SRD grant may be replaced by some other grants such as Basic Income grants, Universal Basic Grants, etc. SASSA has started the Social Relief of Distress Grant as a temporary relief for unemployed people. The govt might be thinking of some permanent solution for the millions of people.
The Social Relief of Distress has helped millions of people in raising poverty. There is a need for long-term solutions for the unemployed people in South Africa. The govt is thinking of the UBIG grant. To get the final approval from all of the political groups takes time.
Also, implementing the UBIG Grant is not as simple as it seems to be. There are more than 09 million people who are unemployed in South Africa and deciding the UBIG Grant amount for each person is a very difficult task for the govt. The grants amount can drain the economy of South Africa and it is not easy to manage big chunks of funds each month.
There is a proper requirement of managing sources of income for the South African govt so that they can manage the amount of the grant each month. We can hope that the South African govt will continue the Social Relief of Distress Grant after March 2025 or there may be another alternative for the people. But is confirmed that the Social Relief of Distress Grant will continue until March 2025 and there should be something after March 2025.
FAQ
Is SRD Grant will stop after March 2025?
There is no confirmation from the South African govt that the Social Relief of Distress grant will continue or not. But, the people should not get worried as the govt will not let the people with empty pockets.
What is the monthly benefit under the SRD Grant?
R370 per month.