Minister Zulu Asks R350 Grant To Be Extended
Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister who’s department is in charge of SASSA, has now asked Treasury to extend the SASSA Special Relief of Distress grant, better known as the R350 grant. The grant comes to an end on 30 April.
Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, has joined those calling for the R350 grant to be extended as Zulu requested from Treasury to allow this.
The last extension was given in February but was not the first. The grant began in May 2024 and was originally only supposed to run for six months.
Zulu told EWN, “We thank President Cyril Ramaphosa in the first place because it was supposed to be from May to October. He then extended it.”
She then continued to say that they would wait and hear from Treasury and are aware of the fact that they are not the only ones looking for finance from Treasury.
We are hoping that when they look at the issue they may look around maybe find the money and continue with it.
The Special Relief of Distress (SRD) grant ends on 30 April. This means that applications will no longer be accepted but payment will continue to those who were approved up until April.
The SRD grant began as a way for government to support those vulnerable individuals who had no other source of income or grants being paid to them during the National Lockdown.
Many have argued that the lockdown still continues and unemployment is still rife in the country which should be the reason behind the grant being extended.
Calls have also come for the grant to become a permanent Basic Income Grant offered to individuals between the ages of 18 and 59. The Minister has spoken optimistically about the introduction of a Basic Income Grant.
Organisations such as Black Sash and the C19 People’s Coalition have asked for the grant to be increased to R585 per month and to also include caregivers in those who are eligible for the grant.
