In January, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) continued to provide the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of R350 per month to eligible beneficiaries. The SRD grant was introduced in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it provides temporary financial support to individuals who have been affected by the pandemic and the resulting economic hardship.

• To be eligible for the SRD grant, individuals must be South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees, must be between the ages of 18 and 59 years old, and must not be receiving any other social grants or unemployment insurance. In addition, individuals must provide proof that they have been affected by the pandemic, either through job losses, reduced income or business closures.
• The SRD grant has been a lifeline for many South Africans who have been struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. In January, SASSA reported that over 6 million applications had been received for the grant since its introduction in May 2020. However, the high demand for the grant has also put pressure on SASSA to process applications quickly and efficiently, and there have been reports of delays and backlogs in the application process.
• SASSA has been working to address these challenges by introducing new measures to streamline the application process and speed up the disbursement of payments. For example, SASSA has introduced a WhatsApp application system for the SRD grant, which allows individuals to apply for the grant using their mobile phones. SASSA has also introduced an online application system and has expanded its call center capacity to handle more inquiries from applicants.
• In addition to the SRD grant, SASSA administers a range of other social grants that provide critical support to vulnerable individuals and families in South Africa. These grants include the Old Age Grant, the Disability Grant, the Foster Child Grant, the Child Support Grant, and the Care Dependency Grant, among others.
• The social grants provided by SASSA are a vital lifeline for many South Africans who are living in poverty or struggling to make ends meet. These grants help to cover the costs of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and housing, and they provide a sense of security and stability to those who may be living in difficult circumstances.
• Overall, SASSA plays a critical role in providing social grants and other support services to vulnerable individuals and families in South Africa. The agency's work is essential in ensuring that all South Africans have access to basic necessities and opportunities for a better life, and its commitment to supporting those who have been affected by the pandemic is particularly important during these challenging times.