Dept of Social Development wants SRD grant extended beyond March 2026
The department said this was necessary while it finalised the basic income grant policy, which has been reviewed again by the department, despite frustrations from members of Parliament (MPs).
Sisisi Tolashe. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - The Department of Social Development wants the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to be extended beyond March 2026, despite Treasury's intentions to stop the welfare initiative.
The department said this was necessary while it finalised the basic income grant policy, which has been reviewed again by the department, despite frustrations from members of Parliament (MPs).
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Department officials and Minister Sisisi Tolashe briefed the social development portfolio committee on Wednesday on the progress made in finalising the long-awaited universal grant for all poor South Africans.
The basic income grant policy has been in the making for several years and aims to provide monthly financial support to citizens who qualify.
The Department of Social Development told Parliament that the policy was still in the making, and it could be a year before legislation on the policy was developed.
Deputy Director-General Brenda Sibeko said until such time that the basic income grant policy was finalised, the SRD grant must be extended beyond March 2026.
"So, we will also, in the process of doing the legislation, need the SRD grant to continue. So, in that regard, we will ask Treasury again to extend the SRD so that there isn’t a break in that income support while the policy process is underway."
She said the policy would also link beneficiaries with economic opportunities so that they did not just rely on the basic income grant.