The morning queue outside the SASSA office in Khayelitsha stretches longer than usual today. I’ve been standing here since 5 AM, notebook in hand, talking to grant recipients about their experiences. The air is filled with a mix of hope and frustration as people wait to inquire about the R695 grant that has become a lifeline for many.
“I wake up at 3 AM to get here early,” whispers Nomvula Dlamini, a 43-year-old mother of three. “Still, I might not be seen today. But what choice do I have? This money is what keeps food on our table this month.”
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has been implementing various grant programs to support vulnerable citizens, with the R695 grant representing one of the more recent additions to the social support framework. As the country continues to battle high unemployment rates and economic challenges intensified by the global pandemic, this grant has become increasingly significant for millions of South Africans.
Understanding the R695 Grant
The R695 grant emerged as part of the government’s expanded social relief measures, representing an increase from the previous R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant that was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This nearly doubled amount reflects the government’s acknowledgment of rising living costs and the continued economic hardship faced by many South Africans.
“When they first announced the increase, I couldn’t believe it,” says Thabo Mokoena, a former construction worker I met at the front of the queue. “The R350 barely covered anything with prices going up every month. The R695 still isn’t enough, but at least now I can cover basic food and some electricity.”
The grant aims to provide temporary income support to unemployed individuals who don’t receive any other form of government assistance. While initially designed as a short-term emergency measure, the persistence of economic challenges has led to multiple extensions of the program.
Current Payment Schedule and Disbursement Methods
SASSA has implemented a staggered payment approach for the R695 grant, distributing payments based on the last three digits of recipients’ ID numbers. This system aims to reduce congestion at payment points and avoid overwhelming the payment infrastructure.
The typical monthly payment schedule follows this pattern:
- Days 1-2: ID numbers ending in 000-099
- Days 3-4: ID numbers ending in 100-199
- Days 5-6: ID numbers ending in 200-299
- Days 7-8: ID numbers ending in 300-399
- Days 9-10: ID numbers ending in 400-499
- Days 11-12: ID numbers ending in 500-599
- Days 13-14: ID numbers ending in 600-699
- Days 15-16: ID numbers ending in 700-799
- Days 17-18: ID numbers ending in 800-899
- Days 19-20: ID numbers ending in 900-999
However, as I discovered while speaking with recipients, the reality often differs from this schedule. Payments can sometimes be delayed by several days, creating uncertainty and anxiety for those who depend on the money.
“They tell us to check our phones for the SMS that says the money is ready,” explains Lindiwe Sibeko, a young woman who lost her job during the pandemic. “But sometimes the message comes days after your scheduled date. Meanwhile, you’ve already spent money on transport to get to the ATM or Post Office, money you can’t afford to waste.”
Recipients can collect their grants through several channels:
- Bank Accounts: Direct deposits to personal bank accounts
- Post Bank: Collection at Post Office branches
- Retail Outlets: Pick-up points at partner retailers including Shoprite, Checkers, and Boxer
- Mobile Money: Transfer to mobile money accounts
During my visits to various collection points across Cape Town over the past week, I observed that bank transfers seem to be the most reliable method, while Post Office collections often involve long queues and occasional system failures.
“I waited six hours at the Post Office last month,” sighs Bongani Ndlovu, a middle-aged man I met outside a Post Bank branch in Gugulethu. “The system was down, then came back, then went down again. Eventually, they closed for the day, and I had to come back tomorrow. That’s another taxi fare I couldn’t afford.”
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
The R695 grant maintains strict eligibility requirements to ensure it reaches the most vulnerable citizens. To qualify, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens, permanent residents, or registered refugees
- Be unemployed
- Not receive income from any source
- Not receive any other social grant
- Not receive unemployment insurance benefits
- Not be a recipient of NSFAS funding (for students)
- Be 18 years or older
- Not be cared for in a state institution
The application process has evolved since the grant’s inception, with SASSA increasingly encouraging digital applications to reduce crowding at physical offices. Applications can be submitted through:
- SASSA Website: Online application portal
- WhatsApp: Application via the designated WhatsApp line
- USSD: Dialing 1347737#
- Email: Sending completed forms to [email protected]
- In-person: Visiting SASSA offices (though this is discouraged except in special circumstances)
While observing applicants attempting to use these different channels at a community center in Khayelitsha, I noticed significant disparities in the ease of access. Those with smartphones and data could complete applications relatively quickly, while others struggled with the USSD option or faced challenges due to periodic website outages.
Community worker Thandiwe Maqubela, who helps residents with their applications, shared her frustrations: “The system assumes everyone has a smartphone or can afford data. Many people here share one family phone or have basic phones that struggle with the USSD service. And when the website is down, which happens often, people just get stuck.”
Verification Process and Common Challenges
Once applications are submitted, SASSA conducts a verification process that cross-references applicant information with various databases to confirm eligibility. This includes checking:
- Home Affairs records to verify identity
- SARS databases to confirm income status
- UIF records to verify unemployment benefits
- Banking information to check for undisclosed income
- Other government department databases to ensure no other benefits are being received
This verification process, while necessary to prevent fraud, often leads to delays and rejections that leave eligible applicants without support for extended periods.
“My application was rejected because the system said I was receiving income,” explains Mandla Sithole, a former taxi driver I spoke with outside the SASSA office. “It took me three months of appeals to prove that the bank account they were checking belonged to someone with a similar name, not me. Meanwhile, I had no income for those three months.”
Common challenges faced by applicants include:
- System Errors: Technical glitches that incorrectly flag eligible applicants
- Database Mismatches: Outdated information in government databases
- Verification Delays: Extended waiting periods for application processing
- Communication Gaps: Lack of clear information about rejection reasons
- Appeal Complexities: Difficult and time-consuming appeal processes
SASSA officials acknowledge these challenges but point to the massive scale of the operation as a mitigating factor. “We’re processing millions of applications with limited resources,” explains a SASSA representative who asked not to be named. “We’re constantly working to improve the system, but some challenges are inevitable given the scope.”
The Impact of the R695 Grant on Recipients’ Lives
While officials discuss systems and processes, the real story of the R695 grant lies in its impact on recipients’ daily lives. Throughout my conversations across various communities, I heard countless stories of how this grant, despite its limitations, makes a meaningful difference.
For 35-year-old Precious Mabaso, a single mother of two from Langa, the grant provides essential food security: “Before I got approved, we would sometimes go a day without proper meals. Now I can at least ensure my children have something to eat every day.”
Elderly pensioner Joseph Khumalo uses his grant primarily for medication: “The pension covers rent and basic food, but my blood pressure medication was something I would sometimes skip. Now with this extra money, I don’t have to choose between eating and taking my medicine.”
For younger recipients like 24-year-old Sipho Nkosi, the grant provides a stepping stone toward finding employment: “I use part of it for data to search for jobs online and for transport to interviews. Without this money, I’d be stuck at home, unable to even look for work.”
These individual stories reveal a common thread: while the R695 is insufficient to lift people out of poverty, it provides critical support that prevents the most extreme forms of deprivation and creates small opportunities for improvement.
Economic researcher Dr. Nomfundo Dlamini, whom I consulted for this article, explains: “The grant serves as both a safety net and a potential catalyst. It prevents people from falling into extreme poverty while potentially enabling activities that could lead to more sustainable livelihoods, like job searching or small informal businesses.”
Criticisms and Controversies
The R695 grant program has not been without controversy. Critics from various perspectives have raised concerns about different aspects of the program.
Some economic commentators argue that the grant creates dependency and places an unsustainable burden on South Africa’s already strained fiscal resources. “The question isn’t whether we should support vulnerable citizens, but whether this particular approach is sustainable long-term,” notes economist Dr. Peter Williams, whom I interviewed at his office in Sandton.
On the other hand, social justice advocates argue that the amount remains insufficient given the cost of living. “R695 falls well below any reasonable poverty line,” argues community activist Zanele Mbeki. “It’s better than nothing, but still condemns recipients to poverty, just slightly less desperate poverty.”
Recipients themselves often express frustration with the administrative challenges rather than the concept of the grant. “I don’t want to depend on government money forever,” Thembisa Radebe told me while waiting in line. “But right now, there are no jobs. What makes me angry isn’t getting the grant; it’s how difficult they make it to actually receive the money that’s supposed to help us.”
Political debates also surround the program, with some parties advocating for its expansion into a permanent Basic Income Grant (BIG), while others argue for more targeted approaches or employment-focused alternatives.
Future Prospects and Policy Directions
As South Africa continues to navigate economic challenges, questions about the future of the R695 grant loom large. The government has extended the program several times, but uncertainty remains about its long-term status.
Recent policy discussions have centered around three potential paths:
- Permanent Implementation: Transforming the temporary grant into a permanent social support mechanism, potentially evolving into a Basic Income Grant
- Gradual Phasing Out: Reducing the program as employment opportunities increase
- Integration with Skills Development: Linking grant receipt to participation in training or community service programs
During a recent community forum in Soweto that I attended, these options generated heated debate. Some participants advocated strongly for permanence: “This money is the difference between eating and starving for many families. How can that be temporary?” asked community leader Thabiso Mokgele.
Others emphasized the need for more sustainable approaches: “We need jobs, not handouts,” argued small business owner Nompumelelo Dube. “The grant helps today, but what about next year and the year after? We need economic opportunities.”
Government officials have remained non-committal about the long-term future while emphasizing the importance of the current support. “We recognize the critical role this grant plays in mitigating poverty,” noted a Department of Social Development spokesperson at a recent briefing. “Decisions about its future will be made with careful consideration of both social needs and fiscal realities.”
Navigating the System: Advice for Recipients and Applicants
For those currently navigating the R695 grant system, community organizations and experienced recipients offer several pieces of advice:
- Keep Documentation: Maintain copies of all application documents and correspondence with SASSA
- Regular Status Checks: Check application status weekly through the official channels
- Appeal Promptly: If rejected, file an appeal within the 30-day window
- Seek Assistance: Connect with community organizations that help with applications and appeals
- Stay Informed: Follow official SASSA communications about payment dates and system changes
Community worker Thandi Mhlongo, who runs support sessions at a church in Alexandra, emphasizes patience and persistence: “The system has problems, yes, but giving up means you definitely won’t get help. Document everything, follow up consistently, and seek help when you need it.”
A Necessary but Imperfect Lifeline
As the sun climbs higher over the SASSA office in Khayelitsha, the queue I’ve been observing since dawn has barely shortened. People continue to wait patiently, bound together by common need and the hope that this modest grant will help them navigate another difficult month.
The R695 grant represents both the compassion and the limitations of South Africa’s social support system. It provides crucial assistance to millions who would otherwise face dire circumstances, yet its implementation reveals the challenges of delivering social protection at scale in a developing economy.
For Nomvula Dlamini, whom I met at the beginning of this long day, the complexities of policy debates mean little compared to the immediate reality of her family’s needs. “I don’t know about politics or economics,” she says as her number is finally called. “I just know that this money means my children will eat this month. Tomorrow’s problems we’ll face tomorrow.”
As South Africa continues to grapple with the twin challenges of poverty and unemployment, the R695 grant stands as an imperfect but necessary response—a recognition that while long-term solutions are essential, immediate needs cannot wait. For millions of South Africans, this grant represents not just financial support but also acknowledgment of their struggle and their citizenship in a society that, despite its challenges, strives to leave no one behind.
Also Read –
How To Apply And Qualify For The SASSA SRD Grant In March 2025