How Much Is the SASSA SRD Grant in 2026?
The short answer: you receive R370 per month, if your income is below R624. Here is exactly what that means.
Monthly amount
R370
Per month, paid into your bank account
Income limit
R624
Maximum monthly income to qualify
Current extension until
31 March 2027
Grant must be renewed by the Minister
Where Does the R370 Amount Come From?
The SRD grant was introduced in 2020 as a temporary R350 monthly payment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was raised from R350 to R370 in 2024 to keep up with rising prices. The amount and the R624 income limit are confirmed in the national budget announced by the Minister of Finance, most recently verified against the 2026 Budget.
Any future increase is typically announced during the annual National Budget Speech. Until such an announcement, the amount stays at R370 — do not fall for messages claiming the grant has gone up or down, as most of those are scams.
Who Qualifies for the R370 Amount?
- You are aged between 18 and 59.
- You are unemployed or earn below R624 per month.
- You do not receive another social grant, UIF, or NSFAS funding.
- You are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee, and live in South Africa.
Important: the amount vs. what you actually receive
R370 is your monthly grant. It is paid via bank transfer, or you can collect it at a retail point (Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers). No fees are deducted from your grant — if someone asks you to pay a fee to "release" or "unlock" your R370, it is a scam.
What the R624 Income Limit Really Means
The SRD grant is meant for people with very little or no income. SASSA checks your bank accounts and other records each month. If more than R624 flows through accounts linked to your ID in a month, the system assumes you do not need the grant and declines you for that month.
This includes money you might not think of as "income" — a family member sending you money, a stokvel payout, informal sales, or interest earned. If you are declined for this reason and the money was not regular income, you can appeal with proof.
What to do next
When Will I Actually Be Paid?
The SRD payment does not have a fixed date every month. SASSA processes it in a batch window in the last week of the month, and each beneficiary gets a "Pay Day" date on their status check once approved. After Pay Day, the money usually reflects in your bank within 1 to 3 business days.
Check your status for your personal Pay Day date rather than relying on third-party schedules, and only go to a retail point to collect once you receive the payment SMS.
View the Payment CalendarFrequently Asked Questions
How much is the SASSA SRD grant in 2026?
The SRD R370 grant pays R370 per month to qualifying applicants aged 18 to 59. This has been the amount since April 2024, and there has been no official announcement of an increase for 2026.
How much can I earn and still get the SRD grant?
To qualify for the SRD grant you may not earn more than R624 per month. If your total monthly deposits and income go above this limit, your application for that month will be declined.
Is the SRD grant permanent?
No. The SRD grant is a temporary relief grant that must be extended by the Minister of Finance. The current extension runs until 31 March 2027. You must also re-qualify every month, as SASSA re-checks your income and records monthly.
Do I have to reapply for the SRD grant every month?
No, but you are automatically re-assessed each month. Your bank account, income and government records are checked again every cycle, so your status can change from one month to the next even if you do not reapply.
Why was I declined if my income is below R624?
A decline does not always mean you earned too much. Other reasons include a UIF or NSFAS record linked to your ID, an identity-verification mismatch with Home Affairs, or a transaction pattern that SASSA flagged. Check your decline reason and lodge a free appeal if you believe the decision is wrong.
Independent, unofficial guide. Amounts and limits verified against the 2026 Budget and official DSD/SASSA announcements, last reviewed 2026-08-31. We are not affiliated with SASSA.