Sassa SRD

Sassa SRD is a social relief grant provided by the South African government to help those in need during difficult times. Learn how to apply for it.

About applying for social relief of distress

Social relief of distress is temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ most basic needs.

This could be due to any of the following factors:

• you need help while you wait for your children’s grants to be processed
• a crisis or disaster has occurred (e.g. your house has burnt down)
• you do not qualify for a grant, and you are in a desperate situation
• you are unable to work for a period of less than six month because you are medically unfit
• you are unable to get maintenance from the other parent of your child or children
• the breadwinner in the family has died
• the breadwinner has been sent to prison for a short time (less than six months)
• you have been affected by a disaster, but the area or community in which you live has not been declared a disaster area.

What do you get?

The Social Relief of Distress may be in the form of a food parcel or a voucher to buy food. Some provinces give this assistance in the form of cash. Social Relief of Distress is given for a short time only – usually for up to three months, which may be extended for another three months.

What you should do

1. Apply for social relief of distress at your nearest South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office or visit https://srd.sassa.gov.za/.