The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has been extended to 31 March 2027, with payments continuing at R370 per month. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed the extension and the funding allocation in the 2026 Budget delivered to Parliament on 26 February 2026.
What the Budget confirmed
The Department of Social Development confirmed that the SRD grant has been allocated an additional R36.4 billion to extend payments until 31 March 2027 at the current R370 per month per beneficiary. The amount remains unchanged, with no increase announced.
The extension follows Godongwana’s earlier announcement during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on 12 November 2025, when he said the grant would be extended “while proposals are finalised to link the working-age population to skills development and employment programmes.”
Other grants increased from April 2026
While the SRD grant stays at R370, permanent social grants were increased from April 2026:
- Old Age Grant, Disability Grant and Care Dependency Grant: increased by R80 to R2 400 per month
National Treasury allocated R292.8 billion to social grants for the 2026/27 fiscal year, with overall social grant spending projected to grow at 3.4% over the medium term.
SASSA verification intensified
The Budget confirms that SASSA has stepped up biometric and income verification. According to Treasury, improved targeting and beneficiary verification is expected to yield savings of R2 billion in 2026/27 and R1 billion in 2027/28. The agency has already cancelled approximately 35 000 grants found to be incorrect or fraudulent.
What this means for SRD beneficiaries
Eligible beneficiaries continue to receive R370 per month without interruption through to 31 March 2027. Recipients must still re-apply or confirm their declaration each cycle, as SASSA reassesses income against the published threshold every month. An approved status in one month does not guarantee approval in the next.
Source:
Daily Maverick
The Citizen
Eyewitness News
