Social Relief of Distress Grant: Proposals for Extension to 2027

Posted 12 February 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Social Development

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Social Development has published a notice calling for public comment on the proposed extension of the temporary social relief of distress grant until 31 March 2027.

In terms of the Social Assistance Act, No. 13 of 2004, and the regulations governing social assistance, the Department seeks to continue the grant which was increased to R370 per month effective from 1 April 2025. While the notice focuses on the extension of the grant’s availability, the Department confirmed that no amendments have been made to the qualifying criteria established in the regulations gazetted in 2022.

Key regulatory milestones and details include:

  • The grant amount remains R370 per month as per the 1 April 2025 adjustment.
  • The proposed extension period for grant availability is until 31 March 2027.
  • Public comments on the continuation proposals were required by 4 March 2026.
  • The final amended regulations were subsequently gazetted on 2 April 2026.

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) continues to administer the grant under the existing 2022 framework. Practitioners should note that the notice calling for input was published on 11 February 2026 and backdated, following the grant’s initial implementation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Click here to download the final amended regulations gazetted on 2 April 2026.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Professional advisors must ensure they reference the final regulations gazetted on 2 April 2026 when advising on the current legal status of social assistance.
  • For your business: Compliance officers and payroll administrators should update their regulatory trackers to reflect the extension of the SRD grant framework through to 31 March 2027.
  • For your clients: Clients managing social responsibility programs or community trusts should be informed that the R370 grant remains available, but that the qualifying criteria from 2022 remain strictly in force without further amendment.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/social-relief-of-distress-grant-latest-continuation-proposals-out-for-comment

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