SRD R370 Grant Extended to March 2027 - What You Need to Know
The South African government has confirmed that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 grant will continue until 31 March 2027. This one-year extension, announced during the February 2026 National Budget Speech, provides relief to approximately 8 million beneficiaries while the government prepares the permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant that will replace it.
Quick Facts About the SRD Extension
Current Amount
R370 per month
Extended Until
31 March 2027
Budget Allocation
R36.4 billion
Beneficiaries
Approximately 8 million
After March 2027
BIS grant transition
Action Required
None (automatic)
What the Extension Means for Beneficiaries
If you currently receive the SRD R370 grant, the extension means your monthly payments will continue without interruption through 31 March 2027. There is no need to reapply, submit new documentation, or visit a SASSA office. Your grant will simply continue as normal.
The grant amount remains at R370 per month. Unlike the permanent social grants (such as the Older Persons Grant or Child Support Grant), the SRD grant did not receive an increase in the 2026 budget. This means the buying power of the grant continues to be eroded by inflation, a point that civil society organisations have repeatedly raised.
New applicants can still apply for the SRD grant during the extension period. Applications are processed online at srd.sassa.gov.za. See our step-by-step application guide for help.
The R36.4 Billion Budget Allocation
The National Treasury has set aside R36.4 billion to fund the SRD grant through the 2026/27 financial year. This allocation covers the full 12-month extension from April 2026 to March 2027 at the current payment level of R370 per month.
To put this in context, the SRD grant cost approximately R35 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. The slight increase in the allocation accounts for a gradual rise in the number of approved beneficiaries, not an increase in the grant amount itself.
The SRD grant has become one of the most significant expenditure items in the social protection budget. Since its introduction in May 2020 as a temporary COVID-19 measure, it has been extended multiple times, reflecting the persistent unemployment crisis in South Africa. The total cost of the SRD programme from 2020 to 2027 will exceed R150 billion.
SRD Grant Timeline - From COVID Relief to BIS
May 2020
SRD grant introduced at R350/month as temporary COVID-19 relief
2020 - 2024
Multiple extensions as economic recovery stalled
April 2024
SRD amount increased from R350 to R370 per month
February 2026
Budget confirms extension to 31 March 2027 with R36.4 billion
April 2026 - March 2027
Current extension period - R370/month continues
31 March 2027
SRD grant scheduled to end
April 2027 onwards
BIS grant expected to replace SRD (details still being finalised)
What Happens After March 2027 - The BIS Transition
The government has signalled clearly that the SRD grant will not simply be extended again after March 2027. Instead, it will be replaced by the permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant. The BIS represents a fundamental policy shift from temporary emergency relief to a permanent social protection framework for working-age adults.
Key differences between the SRD and the planned BIS grant include:
Permanent vs Temporary
The BIS will be a permanent social grant written into legislation, ending the cycle of annual extensions and uncertainty that has characterised the SRD.
Potentially Higher Amount
Proposals for the BIS amount range from R370 to R760 (the food poverty line). The final amount will depend on fiscal constraints and policy decisions still being made.
Automatic Migration
Current SRD recipients are expected to be automatically migrated to the BIS system. You should not need to reapply, but keeping your details up to date is important for a smooth transition.
Improved Infrastructure
The BIS system is expected to have improved application processing, better fraud detection, and more reliable payment systems compared to the current SRD platform.
For the latest information about the BIS grant, visit our dedicated BIS Grant information page.
What You Should Do Now
Keep receiving your SRD grant as normal
Do not cancel or stop your grant. Payments will continue automatically through March 2027.
Update your personal details
Make sure your phone number, banking details, and personal information are correct on the SRD portal at srd.sassa.gov.za. This will help with the eventual BIS transition.
Complete identity verification if requested
If SASSA asks you to complete eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) verification, do it promptly. This will likely be required for the BIS system.
Watch for official updates only
Monitor official SASSA communications (SMS from SASSA, the srd.sassa.gov.za website) for updates on the BIS transition. Do not trust WhatsApp messages or social media posts claiming to have inside information.
Beware of scams about the new grant
Scammers may try to exploit the SRD-to-BIS transition by claiming they can register you for the new grant early or guarantee your spot. All transitions will be handled by SASSA through official channels.
Current SRD Grant Eligibility
The SRD grant eligibility requirements remain unchanged during the extension period. To qualify, you must:
- -Be a South African citizen or permanent resident
- -Be between 18 and 59 years old
- -Be unemployed with no other income
- -Earn less than R624 per month
- -Not receive any other social grant or UIF payments
- -Not be a full-time student receiving NSFAS funding
For the full details and how to apply, see our SRD R370 Grant guide.
Disclaimer: MySASSA is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. Information about the BIS grant is based on government announcements and budget speeches and may change as policy details are finalised. For official SASSA services, use srd.sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11.