The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is paying the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 grant every month to the unemployed and impoverished individuals. The 2026 South African year is unfolding, and perhaps all the applicants, and other existing beneficiaries, should know about all the current income rules and beneficiary selection criteria, and accordingly to see if they are indeed qualified to earn an R370 payment.
Income Criteria and Means Test for R370 Grant
Those claiming the SRD R370 for the year 2026 must satisfy the income threshold. The parameter here is based on income, which is expected to be so little as to ensure that the prospective beneficiary has a monthly income of below R624. In the case of the contradiction to this, if the applicant receives an income over that amount or if the claimant receives one big deposit above that same threshold during the month, the claim might be rejected, or else existing payments might be deferred for review. SASSA resorts to checking bank accounts and other data sources at a decided frequency just to validate that claimants are still eligible to receive assistance.
From informal sources, one may derive that income eligibility is meager or practically zero, because one wouldn’t really need this grant if one does have a regular income. It is therefore possible to declare small incomes earned through informal work, but the monthly return should still be under R1,000 thereby surpassing smaller legal obligations provided state stipends because the main prevailing premise is that this grant is meant for those without opportunities for regular earnings.
Other Key Eligibility Rules for the SRD R370 Grant
In terms of the SASSA grant, there are age limitations to meet, and the typical age range is between 18 and 59 years. Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees, or holders of special permits for particular refugees residing in South Africa.
An applicant cannot avail of the Care Dependency Grant, Child Support Grant, or Old Age Pension, or any other grant given by the government, while in the process of getting the SRD grant since there are conditions that disallow such practice. If any proof is found that they are receiving a grant from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or they receive funding from NSFAS, their application for the SRD grant will not be processed.
Reverification and Regular audit checks:
Since the SRD grant is temporary, it is evaluated monthly so means testing may be performed continuously to ascertain if the beneficiary still qualifies. Every month, SASSA will do a month-to-month bank account income and other data verification, and once all of these are satisfactory, payments are then processed. The beneficiary must make sure they update their personal and bank details so that payments are not disrupted.
Understanding the Nature of the R350 Grant
The R370 SRD grand is a valuable supporting tool for the desperate majority of South Africans who do not engage in formal employment or who barely make enough money to afford the necessities of life and other opportunities. For the greater part, while the amount has not been adjusted, its provision continues monthly to offer relief and enough time to check on the requirements of eligibility.