SRD grant extended to 2027, but why is the R370 payment not increasing?
SRD grant extended to March 2027
South Africa’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has officially been extended for another year, keeping the monthly payout at R370 until March 2027. The confirmation by the Department of Social Development (DSD) follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he pledged that the grant would continue while government works on a redesigned successor.
While the extension secures payment continuity for more than eight million beneficiaries, there will be no increase in the value of the grant, a decision that has sparked debate amid rising living costs.
The move ensures short-term stability for recipients, but signals major structural changes ahead.
SRD Grant Extension Confirmed Until March 2027
The Department of Social Development confirmed that the SRD grant, initially expected to end on 31 March 2026, will now run until 31 March 2027 in its current format.
The R370 monthly payment will continue for successful applicants from 1 April 2026 through the 2026/27 financial year.
To formalise the extension, the Minister of Social Development must publish amendments to the COVID-19 SRD Regulations in the Government Gazette before the end of March 2026. A 21-day public comment process has already opened to allow stakeholders to respond to the draft amendments.
The grant, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary R350 relief measure, was later increased to R370 and extended annually through regulatory changes.
Why There Is No Increase in the SRD Grant
Despite calls from advocacy groups and legal challenges aimed at increasing the grant value, the payment will remain at R370.
The Pretoria High Court previously indicated that decisions about the grant’s value fall within the domain of the executive branch, not the courts. This effectively leaves adjustments to Cabinet and National Treasury.
The SRD grant costs the country approximately R40 billion per year, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability. Treasury has repeatedly warned that permanent expansion without new revenue sources would strain public finances.
For now, beneficiaries will receive continuity, but not additional relief.
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New Social Grant Coming: What Government Plans
President Ramaphosa confirmed that the SRD grant will be redesigned into a more permanent and targeted system.
“This year, we will redesign the grant to more effectively support livelihoods, skills development, work opportunities and productive activity,” the president said.
National Treasury has previously outlined plans to transform the SRD into something closer to a job-seeker allowance, integrating income support with employment pathways.
The goal is to move from a purely cash-based relief system to a grant that promotes skills development, job search assistance, and economic participation.
This marks a shift away from earlier discussions around a full Basic Income Grant (BIG), which government has largely scaled back due to funding constraints.
Public Participation and Next Steps
Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe has invited written submissions during a 21-day public consultation period.
The final amendments must be gazetted before 31 March 2026 to ensure uninterrupted payments into the new financial year.
More details about the redesigned grant are expected during the tabling of the 2026 national budget.
For beneficiaries, the key issue remains certainty, ensuring the payments continue seamlessly beyond March 2026.
What This Means for Beneficiaries
For over eight million South Africans, the SRD grant remains a critical source of support. Government data previously indicated that the grant has helped prevent extreme food poverty since its introduction.
However, without an increase in value, beneficiaries must manage rising costs of food, transport, and electricity with the same R370 monthly allocation.
The next major development will be the unveiling of the redesigned social grant framework later this year.
Until then, the SRD grant remains in place, unchanged in value but extended in duration.
FAQ
Is the SRD grant extended in 2026?
Yes. The SRD grant has been extended until 31 March 2027.
How much is the SRD grant now?
The SRD grant remains at R370 per month. There has been no increase.
Will the SRD grant increase in 2026?
No increase has been announced. Government confirmed payments will remain at R370 until March 2027.
When will the SRD grant end?
The current extension runs until 31 March 2027.
Is the SRD grant becoming permanent?
Government plans to redesign the grant into a more permanent, employment-linked support system, but details are still pending.
What is the new social grant announced by Ramaphosa?
The president announced plans to redesign the SRD grant into a new system focused on skills development, job-seeking support, and productive activity.
Why is the SRD grant not increasing?
National Treasury has raised concerns about affordability. The grant costs about R40 billion per year.
Who qualifies for the SRD grant?
Eligibility criteria remain aligned with the current SRD regulations. Applicants must meet income and verification requirements set by SASSA.
When will more details be announced?
Further clarity is expected during the 2026 national budget speech and once regulatory amendments are published in the Government Gazette.