More than 10 million applications for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant were not approved during the 2025/26 financial year, with government citing income levels, alternative financial support and verification failures among the main reasons.

The figures come as the SRD grant remains one of the country’s biggest forms of temporary income support, with millions of unemployed South Africans relying on the monthly payment.

According to a parliamentary response from then Acting Social Development Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, 18,017,250 applications for the Covid-19 SRD grant were received during the period under review.

Of these, 7,842,041 applications were approved, representing 43.5% of all applications received.

The response was provided after Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Member of Parliament (MP) Busaphi Machi asked the department about the number of applications received, approval rates, reasons for rejected applications, appeals and measures taken to reduce delays.

Chikunga said the number of unsuccessful applications needed to be viewed in context, saying it reflected continued demand for temporary financial assistance rather than proof that people were being prevented from accessing the relief.

“It is important to put context to these numbers,” Chikunga said, adding that the volume of applications reflected “sustained demand for temporary income support by persons who meet, or seek to meet, the prescribed eligibility criteria”.

She said the SRD was not a permanent social grant, but a temporary relief measure for people in need of immediate assistance under the Social Assistance Act.

Chikunga said the high number of applicants was consistent with unemployment trends, particularly among young people.

“The sheer number of applicants is consistent with data from Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which continues to show an unemployment crisis, especially among young people of working age,” she said.

Why were so many applications rejected?

The SRD grant is means-tested, requiring applicants to meet income and other eligibility requirements before approval.

Government said the most common reasons for applications being rejected included applicants exceeding the prescribed income threshold, having alternative sources of financial support, receiving other social assistance or benefits for the same period, and identity verification problems.

Applications containing incomplete, inaccurate or unverifiable information were also not approved.

The department said each application is assessed through a digital verification process, with applicant information checked against relevant government and financial databases before an outcome is issued.

It said the process was intended to ensure that assistance reaches qualifying applicants while protecting the integrity of the social assistance system.

Rejected applicants can appeal

Applicants who disagree with a rejection can lodge an appeal with the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals within 90 days.

The Tribunal can reassess decisions based on information available at the time of application and either confirm the original decision or set it aside.

Chikunga said the appeals process had also been moved online, allowing applicants to submit and monitor appeals digitally.

“These digital platforms enable applicants who are dissatisfied with application outcomes to lodge appeals in a manner that is both efficient and accessible,” the response said.

The department said digital systems had reduced the need for physical intervention and improved access for applicants, particularly those in remote and underserved areas.

Steps to reduce delays

The Department of Social Development said it had taken steps to improve turnaround times for both applications and appeals.

These measures include improving digital systems and strengthening automated data verification processes to reduce manual intervention and speed up decision-making.

“The use of integrated electronic platforms for both applications and appeals has enabled real-time submission, tracking, and processing,” the department said.

Government said these measures were aimed at reducing administrative backlogs and improving the overall efficiency of the system.

Government looks beyond SRD grant

The continued demand for SRD support comes as government works on a proposed Basic Income Support (BIS) policy aimed at creating a more predictable form of income support for working-age South Africans in need of assistance.

Chikunga said the SRD grant had helped shield millions of South Africans from extreme poverty while allowing some recipients to search for employment or pursue other income-generating opportunities.

She said the grant remained a temporary relief measure and did not provide the long-term safety net needed by many unemployed South Africans.

“In the current environment of low and even negative growth, a predictable and reliable safety net has become urgent, and therefore the proposed basic income support policy builds on the demonstrated developmental benefits of existing grants and of this SRD,” Chikunga said.

Chikunga said Basic Income Support would not replace job creation, but would instead complement efforts to connect recipients with economic opportunities.

“We emphasise that it is a complementary intervention that links recipients to income-generating and sustainable livelihood opportunities through deliberate labour market facilitation, moving recipients closer to the labour market and supporting inclusion, dignity, and long-term human development,” she said.

The SRD grant is currently paid at R370 per month and has been extended until 31 March 2027.

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