There is no real difference between the SRD R350 and the SRD R370, they are the same grant. The name changed when the payment amount was increased from R350 to R370 in April 2024. If you received the R350 grant before, you are now receiving R370. Nothing else changed.
What Is the SRD Grant?
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a monthly financial payment managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). It was launched in May 2020 to support unemployed South Africans who lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant targets adults aged 18 to 60 who:
- Are unemployed and have no source of income
- Do not receive any other social grant (Child Support, Disability, Old Age, etc.)
- Do not receive UIF or NSFAS benefits
- Earn less than R624 per month
- Are South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or asylum seekers
As of 2026, over 9 million South Africans depend on this grant monthly.
SRD R350 vs R370: Are They the Same Grant?
Yes. The R350 and R370 are the same Social Relief of Distress grant. The only change was the monthly payment amount, which increased by R20, from R350 to R370, starting April 2024.
Nothing else changed:
- Same eligibility criteria
- Same application portal (srd.sassa.gov.za)
- Same income threshold (under R624/month)
- Same age range (18–60)
- Same disqualification rules (no other grant, UIF, or NSFAS)
Many South Africans still call it the "R350 grant" out of habit, and you will often see both names used online. They refer to the same thing.
Do I Need to Reapply If I Was Getting R350?
No. If you were already approved for the SRD R350 grant, SASSA automatically moved your payment to R370 from April 2024. You did not need to reapply.
From April 2024 onward, SASSA also stopped requiring beneficiaries to reconfirm eligibility every three months. SASSA now reassesses your eligibility automatically each month using data from Home Affairs, SARS, and other government databases.
You only need to act if:
- Your bank details have changed
- Your phone number has changed
- Your application was declined and you want to appeal
How to Check Your SASSA SRD R370 Status (Step-by-Step)
Whether you are checking your SRD R350 status or SRD R370 status, the process is identical. Here are all the official ways to check:
1. Online: Official SASSA Portal (Recommended)
- Go to https://services.sassa.gov.za/portal/r/sassa/sassa/home
- Enter your 13-digit South African ID number
- Enter the cellphone number you used to apply
- Click Submit
- Your status will display (Approved, Pending, Declined, or Payment date shown)
⚠️ Safety warning: Only use the official portal at srd.sassa.gov.za. Never enter your ID on WhatsApp links or unofficial websites. SASSA will never ask you to pay a fee to check your status or receive your grant.
2. WhatsApp
Send a message to SASSA on 082 046 8553 and follow the prompts to check your status.
3. SMS
Send the text STATUS [Your ID Number] to 32555 from your registered phone number.
4. Call Centre
Call 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free). Have your ID number and registered phone number ready.
5. Moya App (Data-Free)
Download the Moya App from Google Play. Open the app, go to Services, and select SASSA SRD. Enter your ID and phone number to check your status, no data required.
6. Visit a SASSA Office
Bring your South African ID document and visit your nearest SASSA office during working hours. Staff will check your status for you.
What Does My SASSA SRD Status Mean?
Once you complete your SRD R350 status check or R370 status check, you will see one of these outcomes:
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Approved | Your grant is approved for this month | Wait for your payment on the scheduled date |
| Pending | SASSA is still verifying your details | No action needed; check again in a few days |
| Declined | You did not qualify this month | Check the reason given and appeal within 90 days |
| Application Complete | Your application was received | Wait for SASSA to begin verification |
| Approved on Appeal | Your appeal was successful | Payment will be made |
| Denied on Appeal | Your appeal was unsuccessful | You may approach the High Court for review |
If your status shows Approved but no payment has arrived, first confirm your banking details are correct on the portal. If details are accurate, allow up to 5 business days. If payment still has not arrived after that, call 0800 60 10 11.
How to Check If Your SRD R350/R370 Application Is Approved
To confirm approval, follow these steps:
- Visit https://mystatus.co.za/
- Enter your 13-digit ID number and your registered phone number
- Click Submit
- If the result shows "Approved", your application has been approved for the current month
- Note the payment date shown, that is when your R370 will be paid
SASSA also sends an SMS to your registered phone number once your application is approved. The SMS will include your payment date and collection method.
Our guide on SRD Status Check Payment Approved: What it means, is a detailed step-by-step guide, on what the “Payment Approved” result means in an SRD status check, how to do a SASSA status check online, why your SRD status is pending, how to fix approved but no payment, and what to do when your payment has been approved.
SRD R370 Payment Dates 2026
SASSA processes SRD payments on a rolling schedule, meaning not everyone gets paid on the same day. For April 2026, the confirmed SRD payment windows are 23–24 April 2026 and 29–30 April 2026.
Your exact payment date depends on your payment method and bank details. Always check your personal payment date on the official portal at srd.sassa.gov.za rather than relying on general dates.
Payment methods available in 2026:
- Direct bank deposit (ABSA, Standard Bank, Nedbank, FNB, Capitec, Postbank)
- CashSend
- Post Office collection
- Pick n Pay or Boxer store
Why Was the Grant Increased from R350 to R370?
The R20 increase was introduced to help beneficiaries cope with rising food costs and inflation. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed R35.2 billion was allocated to extend and increase the SRD grant. Advocacy groups continue to push for a higher amount closer to the food poverty line of approximately R760, but as of 2026 the grant remains at R370 per month.
Official SASSA Contact Details
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Official status portal | srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status |
| Apply or update details | srd.sassa.gov.za |
| Toll-free helpline | 0800 60 10 11 |
| 082 046 8553 | |
| SMS status check | Send STATUS [ID number] to 32555 |
| Report fraud | 0800 60 10 11 |
⚠️ Fraud alert: SASSA will never ask you to pay a fee to receive your grant, and will never ask for your PIN or banking password. Report suspicious activity immediately on 0800 60 10 11.
To learn how to resolve all your SASSA Status errors, our article on ‘SASSA SRD Status Check Error: What They Mean and How to Fix Them’ explains the steps to take.
About the Author:
Temitope Lawal is a RegTech and compliance specialist at Youverify. She has written for fintech companies and financial institutions across Nigeria and international markets, with a research focus on AML compliance, fraud prevention, and financial crime regulation. Her work covers regulatory developments from the FCA, NCA and FATF, and is informed by ongoing engagement with primary compliance sources and industry research.