SRD grant measures taken by DSD placed to make it accessible: Tolashe

JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe has emphasised the measures the department took concerning the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant were put in place to make it easy for destitute applicants to access it.  

The minister and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are appealing the order of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.  

This is after the court declared the 2023 regulations governing the distribution of the SRD grant unconstitutional and invalid.  

ALSO READ: Tolashe & SASSA appeal judgment declaring 2023 regulations limiting access to SRD grant unconstitutional & invalid

In papers, she argued that the consequence of the court’s judgment will place a burden on the department and SASSA to provide for more complex assessments with limited resources.  

The order of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria declared that the word “income” refers to money received on a regular basis from formal or informal employment, business activities, or investments.  

However, Tolashe said the court ought to have found that the interpretation of the word is aligned with the purpose of the SRD grant, which is to assess on a monthly basis the income received by the applicants to determine whether they qualify for the grant.  

The minister said the grant is a different form of social assistance with requirements and time bound.  

She added that this, therefore, creates a need to assess the applicant’s financial means on a monthly basis.  

The minister’s argument concluded that SASSA should assess an applicant’s financial circumstance to verify whether they have an income or have alternative financial means.