The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) introduced an unemployment grant in May 2020 in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant was intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed individuals who had lost their income as a result of the pandemic.

• The unemployment grant, which was initially set at R350 per month, was available to South African citizens and permanent residents who were not receiving any other form of income support. To be eligible for the grant, applicants needed to be between the ages of 18 and 59, unemployed, and not receiving any other government funding such as a social grant, UIF benefit, or NSFAS allowance.
• The application process for the unemployment grant was largely online, with applicants required to provide their personal and contact information, employment status, and banking details if available. Applicants were also required to provide proof of residence and identity documents such as a South African ID or passport.
• Once an application was approved, beneficiaries were required to collect their payments from a designated SASSA paypoint or through a mobile payment service. Beneficiaries were required to collect their payments within a specified period, and uncollected payments were returned to the National Revenue Fund.
• In August 2021, SASSA announced that it would be extending the unemployment grant until March 2022, with the value of the grant increased to R585 per month. The extension was intended to provide continued support to those who had been affected by the ongoing economic impact of the pandemic.
• Despite the extension of the grant, there have been challenges in ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are able to access and receive their payments. Some of the challenges include difficulties accessing banking services, outdated contact information, and challenges with transportation to SASSA paypoints.
• To address these challenges, SASSA has implemented a number of measures, including mobile payment services, which allow beneficiaries to collect their payments using their mobile phones, and partnerships with commercial banks to make banking services more accessible.
• SASSA has also worked closely with community organizations and local authorities to reach out to beneficiaries and encourage them to apply for and collect their payments. This includes targeted outreach efforts to rural areas and communities where access to banking services and transportation may be limited.
• Overall, the unemployment grant provided by SASSA has been an important source of financial support for many unemployed individuals in South Africa during a time of economic hardship. While there have been challenges in ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are able to access and receive their payments, SASSA continues to work towards making the application and payment processes more accessible and ensuring that support is provided to those who need it most.