R20 SRD Grant Increase to R370 Challenged in Court: The SRD Grant of SASSA is for the unemployed people. The monthly amount for the SASSA SRD grant is R350 and recently an increment in the SRD grant is done by R20. The decision to increase the benefit of the SRD grant is challenged in court by some groups and they said that the amount is not sufficient and the govt should increase the SASSA SRD amount as per the inflation rate. Let’s discuss the whole matter below.
R20 SRD Grant Increase to R370 Challenged in Court
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| What is the SRD Grant? | SASSA has an SDR grant as a monthly income for unemployed people in South Africa. |
| Current Grant Amount |
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| Reasons for Court Challenge | The increase is less, the increment in the SASSA SRD grant should be more |
| Eligibility Criteria |
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| Court Case Status |
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| Official Source | South African Social Security Agency |
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Historical Context of the SRD Grant
SASSA started the SRD grant during the COVID-19 time. It was the year 2020 when the SRD was implemented by the SASSA with instructions from the South African govt. Many people lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. To financially support all of these people, SASSA has started the SRD grant as a monthly income for the people who lost their jobs.
The people who are unemployed and meet other eligibility for the SASSA SRD grant can get the monthly benefit. The monthly amount of the SASSA SRD grant is R350 which is increased in April 2024 by R20.
Comprehending the Condition: Rising Costs of Living and Inflation
Why Beneficiaries Are Requesting More
The people who are benefiting from the SASSA SRD grant have shared their problem in that it is hard for them to manage a whole month with limited money. The inflation in South Africa has reached 7% in 2024. Also, the price of necessary food items and other products has increased. As per the survey and research, for one family, the monthly budget for food items is alone R1335. The requirements are more as compared to the given amount in SRD. We have created a basic breakdown of requirements for a low-income family in South Africa.
| Name of Expense | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Food Items | R1335 |
| Electricity, Water bills, and other Utilities | R200 |
| Transportation Cost | R150 |
| Essential Toiletries Cost | R70 |
| Total Cost in a month | R1755 |
This shows that there is a huge difference between the actual needs of the person from what they are getting.
Comparison with Other Social Grants Increment
The other grants run by SASSA have seen significant increments for the Old age grant, the increments of R90 were implemented. But for the SRD grant, the increase is just R20.
Why Advocacy Groups Are Taking the Government to Court: Legal Challenge
In October 2024, two renowned advocacy parties, the Institute for Economic Justice/ IEJ and #PayTheGrant filed a suit against the govt of South Africa, and the major points of cover are given below.
Key Assertions from the Advocacy Groups
- This group has stated that the R370 amount is not sufficient for the person to survive. The expenses are more than the given monthly grant.
- Inflation has increased at a fast pace in South Africa which has made the life of the poor section difficult. The people from the lower income group do not cop with inflation and it is a serious matter to look after.
- The poor family groups do not have access to the Internet and they are not able to access the services of SASSA online.
Government’s Position on the SRD Grant Increase
The govt of South Africa has stated that it is very difficult for them to provide more to the SRD beneficiaries as millions of people are under the SASSA SRD grant. The South African govt does not have the budget for the SRD grant and the govt will land into a financial problem if the SRD amount is increased.
Alternative Solutions Proposed by Advocacy Groups
Let’s check what the advocacy groups are suggesting.
- Increasing the Grant Amount: The SASSA SRD grant should be at least R624 per month.
- Revising Eligibility Criteria: The govt should look after the eligibility criteria for the SASSA SRD grant as the people who do not fall under the annual income criteria are still facing problems as they do not have sufficient money.
- Investing in Job Creation: The govt should start job creation programs for the benefit of the people of South Africa.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the SRD grant?
Check the list of eligibility for the SASSA SRD grant above.
Why was the SRD grant increase challenged in court?
Because the beneficiaries of the SRD grant are unable to meet their needs in the R370 amount.