R370 : Breaking news brings relief as SASSA officially confirms the approval of R370 grants for May applications after extensive verification and review processes.
Thousands of South Africans who applied during May can now verify their eligibility status following the government’s announcement clearing long-standing application backlogs.
This confirmation ends months of uncertainty for beneficiaries whose applications remained in limbo while authorities addressed system challenges and verification requirements.
The May grant confirmation particularly impacts those who desperately needed financial assistance during that period but faced frustrating delays and unclear communication.
Official Confirmation Details
The Department of Social Development issued formal statements confirming that May applications underwent complete review cycles with final determinations now available.
Minister Lindiwe Zulu emphasized that the confirmation includes both newly approved applications and those previously pending due to verification complications.
SASSA’s executive management revealed that enhanced screening processes, while causing delays, successfully identified eligible beneficiaries while preventing fraudulent claims.
The confirmation covers all May applications regardless of submission date, meaning early and late May applicants receive equal consideration in determinations.
Government allocated additional resources specifically for processing May’s backlog, enabling comprehensive reviews that previous system constraints had prevented effectively.
Provincial SASSA offices received updated beneficiary lists with confirmed approvals, preparing for increased inquiries and payment processing demands across regions.
The announcement includes commitment to preventing similar delays, with system improvements implemented based on lessons learned from May’s processing challenges.
This official confirmation provides closure for a difficult chapter in social grant administration while setting precedents for improved future operations.
Primary Eligibility Categories
South African citizens and permanent residents aged between 18 and 60 years form the fundamental eligible group for May grant confirmations.
Unemployed individuals without alternative income sources receive priority consideration, as the grant targets those facing genuine financial hardship during May.
Those who were unemployed specifically during May 2024 qualify even if their employment status changed subsequently after the application period.
Asylum seekers and special permit holders with valid documentation during May also fall within eligible categories following recent policy clarifications.
Individuals not receiving other government grants like UIF, NSFAS funding, or social pensions during May meet basic eligibility requirements successfully.
Previous SRD grant recipients don’t automatically qualify, as each month requires separate eligibility verification based on current circumstances and income.
Caregivers of children receiving child support grants may qualify if their personal income falls below threshold limits despite managing children’s grants.
Those who were between jobs or recently retrenched during May receive special consideration recognizing temporary but severe financial vulnerabilities.
Income Threshold Requirements
The R624 monthly income threshold applied strictly to May applications, with any income exceeding this amount resulting in automatic disqualification.
Income calculations included all sources: wages, casual earnings, rental income, and financial support from family members during the assessment period.
Self-employed individuals faced particular scrutiny, with bank statements revealing business income patterns that determined eligibility based on May’s specific earnings.
Those earning below minimum wage or working reduced hours during May often qualified despite technical employment, recognizing inadequate income situations.
Agricultural and seasonal workers’ fluctuating incomes received consideration, with May’s specific earnings rather than annual averages determining eligibility status.
Informal traders and piece-job workers needed to demonstrate May income through bank records or sworn affidavits when formal documentation proved unavailable.
Investment income, even small amounts from savings accounts or policies, counted toward the threshold, affecting some elderly applicants unexpectedly.
The strict threshold enforcement aimed to ensure grants reached the most desperate, though many argue the limit remains unrealistically low.
Verification Process Explained
May applications underwent multi-stage verification involving cross-referencing with Department of Home Affairs, SARS, UIF, and NSFAS databases systematically.
Identity verification confirmed applicants’ biographical details matched official records, preventing identity fraud and duplicate applications across the system.
Employment status checks through UIF databases revealed whether applicants received unemployment benefits or had recent formal employment during May.
SARS verification exposed unreported income sources, with many applications declined due to tax records showing earnings exceeding eligibility thresholds.
Banking verification analyzed account activities during May, identifying regular deposits suggesting employment or support contradicting unemployed status claims.
NSFAS checks ensured students receiving funding didn’t simultaneously claim SRD grants, as education support disqualifies beneficiaries from additional assistance.
Manual verification followed automated screening for flagged applications, with officials reviewing supporting documents and conducting additional investigations where necessary.
The comprehensive process, while thorough, created the delays that frustrated applicants but ultimately ensured grant integrity and proper distribution.
Checking Your Eligibility Status
Multiple channels exist for checking May grant eligibility following the confirmation announcement, with online platforms providing quickest access to results.
The SRD website srd.sassa.gov.za allows status checking using ID numbers and registered cellphone numbers through secure login processes.
WhatsApp services via 082 046 8553 offer convenient checking for those preferring mobile messaging over website navigation or having limited data.
USSD codes 1347737# provide basic status information accessible from any mobile phone without internet requirements, serving rural beneficiaries effectively.
Status messages now clearly indicate “Approved,” “Declined,” or specific reasons for negative determinations, helping beneficiaries understand their situations better.
Those declined can view exact disqualification reasons, whether income thresholds, existing grants, or verification failures caused the negative determination.
Approved beneficiaries see payment dates and methods, allowing proper planning for fund collection through their selected channels.
Regular checking remains important as statuses update periodically when appeals succeed or additional verification clears previous system flags.
R370 Next Steps for Different Outcomes
Approved beneficiaries should verify banking details remain current or confirm cash collection points to ensure smooth payment receipt processes.
Declined applicants retain appeal rights within 30 days, requiring submission of supporting documents addressing specific reasons for initial rejections.
Those with pending appeals should monitor status changes regularly, as successful appeals trigger automatic payment processing once system updates complete.
Future applications remain possible for those declined, with changed circumstances in subsequent months potentially meeting eligibility criteria better.
Documentation gathering helps both current appeals and future applications, with bank statements and employment records proving crucial for verification.
