The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 grant is a temporary financial support programme managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). It provides monthly relief to individuals who are unemployed and have limited or no income. This grant helps many South Africans meet basic living expenses such as food and other essentials when they do not qualify for other social grants. The amount awarded for this programme is R370 per month for each approved applicant.
Unlike permanent social grants, which follow a fixed payment schedule, the SRD R370 grant does not have a universal payment date for all beneficiaries. Instead, SASSA schedules payment for each approved recipient individually. Beneficiaries can expect payments generally towards the end of the month, after eligibility verification and processing are completed.
For February 2026, most approved R370 grant beneficiaries should expect their payments to be released between 23 February and 28 February 2026. These dates mark the typical end-of-month payment window used for this grant cycle. Although not every beneficiary receives the funds exactly on the first day of the window, it depends on individual approval timing and the processing system.
Table of Contents
What Is the R370 SRD Grant?
The R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is a monthly financial support programme aimed at assisting unemployed individuals who have no other form of income. The goal of the grant is to provide temporary relief to vulnerable people while they look for employment or other means of livelihood.
This programme originally started as a response measure to support households during difficult economic periods and was later extended by the government to continue providing assistance to those in need. It does not replace permanent social grants such as disability or older person grants but serves as a stop-gap measure for those who qualify. Most beneficiaries rely on it to cover basic day-to-day expenses.
Because the SRD grant is intended as temporary relief, beneficiaries must meet eligibility criteria each month. Approval for one month does not automatically guarantee approval in subsequent months. Each month’s status is reassessed based on personal and household circumstances.
Eligibility Requirements for February 2026
To qualify for the SRD R370 grant, applicants must meet specific conditions that confirm they are unemployed and have limited means of financial support. The key eligibility requirements include:
- The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, asylum seeker, or holder of a valid special permit.
- Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old.
- The applicant must be unemployed and not receiving any other social grants from SASSA.
- Applicants must not receive income from UIF or NSFAS or other forms of government income support.
- Income must be below the threshold, typically not more than around R624 per month.
These criteria ensure that the grant benefits individuals who are genuinely in need of social relief and do not have alternate financial support sources.
SASSA also verifies each applicant’s information with Home Affairs, UIF databases, and other national systems to confirm that eligibility conditions are met. Reapplication or status renewal may be required if personal details change.
How the Monthly Payment Process Works
The R370 payment process involves several coordinated steps each month to ensure that only eligible applicants receive funds. The typical process includes:
- Application and Registration: Eligible individuals apply online through the official SRD portal or at a SASSA office. Applicants provide essential information such as a valid South African ID number, contact details, and consent for verification checks.
- Verification and Assessment: SASSA verifies the applicant’s details, including identity, residence, income levels, unemployment status, and other criteria. This assessment ensures compliance with the eligibility requirements. It may involve cross-checking with national databases and financial systems.
- Approval and Payment Date Assignment: Once verification is complete and the application is approved for the current month, SASSA assigns a specific payment date, known as a “pay day,” to that beneficiary. The assigned date typically falls within the established payment window (e.g., 23–28 February 2026) when funds are released.
- Disbursement of Funds: Approved beneficiaries receive their R370 payment through their selected payment method. The grant amount is usually transferred directly into the beneficiary’s bank account, Postbank account, or other designated payment channel, depending on what was chosen during application.
Beneficiaries are advised to keep personal details up to date, especially banking and contact information, to avoid delays in payment.
SRD R370 Payment Dates for February 2026
Below is the payment schedule window that most beneficiaries should expect for the February 2026 R370 grant:
| Month | Expected Payment Window |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | 23 February 2026 – 28 February 2026 |
This payment window reflects the period in which approved beneficiaries are most likely to receive their grant payment. However, individual payment dates will vary depending on the processing and approval timeline for each applicant.
SASSA aims for end-of-month payments, but delays in verification or banking processes can slightly shift when the funds become available. Therefore, beneficiaries are encouraged to perform regular status checks as the anticipated window approaches.
Payment Methods and How Funds Are Received
Once an R370 grant application is approved and a payment date is assigned, beneficiaries receive their money through one of the following channels:
- Direct deposit into a personal bank account is often the quickest and most reliable method.
- Postbank account or SASSA-linked payment card funds can be accessed via Postbank branches or partner outlets.
- Retail collection points where beneficiaries can withdraw cash once the payment reflects.
The choice of payment method is usually made during the application process. Regular updates to payment details ensure that funds are received without delays.
Beneficiaries are reminded that processing times vary; even after SASSA releases the payment on the designated pay day, banks may take 1–3 business days for the money to show in accounts or be available for withdrawal.
How to Check Your SRD R370 Status
Checking the status of an R370 grant application is essential, especially as the payment window approaches. SASSA offers several methods for beneficiaries to confirm their status and assigned payment date:
- Online Portal: Visit the official SRD status check portal and enter your South African ID number and registered mobile number. The portal shows whether the application is Approved, Pending, or Declined, along with the assigned pay day if approved.
- SMS Status: Send an SMS with the word “STATUS” followed by your ID number to the designated SASSA number (e.g., 32555) to receive a text response with your grant status and payment information.
- WhatsApp: Beneficiaries can save the official WhatsApp contact number and send “Status” or similar prompts to receive a message with the current status and payment details.
- Toll-Free Phone Call: SASSA’s toll-free helpline (0800 60 10 11) provides direct assistance. Beneficiaries can call to hear their current SRD R370 status and payment details.
- Visiting a SASSA Office: If digital methods fail or a beneficiary has concerns, visiting a local SASSA office with identity documentation and reference details can help clarify the status.
What Payment Status Messages Mean
When checking your status, you might see several possible updates:
- Approved – Your application is accepted, and you will receive the R370 payment according to the assigned pay day.
- Pending – Your details are still under review; no payment will be released yet.
- Declined – You do not qualify for the current month due to the eligibility criteria not being met.
- Referred or Verification Required – Additional checks are being performed, usually due to discrepancies in documentation or verification databases.
When your status shows Approved, make note of the assigned pay date and prepare to receive the funds within the expected payment window. If the status is Pending long into the payment cycle, it is advisable to confirm that all personal information is up to date and correct.
What To Do If Payment Does Not Reflect
If a beneficiary’s payment does not reflect by the end of the expected window (e.g., 28 February 2026), the following actions can help:
- Check your bank account details on the SRD status portal to ensure correctness.
- Confirm your current status on the SASSA portal to check if the payment was approved.
- Allow a few additional business days for banking processing delays.
- Contact SASSA support channels, such as the toll-free helpline or local SASSA office, if the issue persists.
Errors such as outdated bank account information or discrepancies in documentation are common reasons for delayed payments. Keeping personal records updated with SASSA can prevent many such issues.
Appeals and Reapplications
In the case of a declined application, beneficiaries have the option to submit an appeal through the official SRD portal. Appeals must include valid information explaining why the original decision should be reconsidered. SASSA reviews successful appeals before payment is processed in the following cycle.
Reapplications may also be necessary if personal circumstances change, for example, if contact details change or income status appears higher in the system. These updates ensure each monthly assessment accurately reflects current eligibility.