Coronavirus: How to Apply for Coronavirus Special Grant

South Africa’s government will start paying COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant on May 15, Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, said.

Zulu was speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday to elaborate on the socio-economic relief interventions on COVID-19.

In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced five-level plan to ease lockdown.

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases are nearing 5, 000 with 93 deaths.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the next 6 months. The grant is to be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed and do not receive any other form of a social grant or UIF payment.

Zulu says with regards to the Special COVID19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, the amount to be paid to qualifying applications will be R350 per month from May – October 2020.

How to apply for Special COVID19 Social Relief of Distress Grant

Applications for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief Grant may be lodged by sending:

• WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting SASSA or
• by sending an email to SRD@sassa.gov.za

“We are are still finalising additional access channels and including SMS, self-help desks and online application process,” said Zulu. “We will give information on these soon.”

For people with no access to technology, Sassa will use volunteers from NYDA, NDA, and community development workers to register them for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief Grant.

Who qualifies for Special COVID19 Social Relief of Distress Grant

The Special COVID-19 Social Relief Grant will be available to:

• South Africans, Permanent Residents or Refugees registered in the Home Affairs system who are resident within the borders of the Republic.

Method of Payment for Special COVID19 Social Relief of Distress Grant

The Special COVID-19 Social Relief Grant will be paid from the 15th of May 2020 to 15 October 2020.

The payments will be made through the bank accounts of the applicants and through cash send measures through banks.