From June 7, a crucial extra step becomes mandatory for South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) SRD grant applicants — and skipping it means no approval or payment.
“SASSA in its effort to reduce fraud on the system has made biometric verification mandatory for all applicants.” — SASSA statement
In a major update affecting all new COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant applicants, SASS has announced that starting Saturday, June 7, 2025, applicants must now complete an additional mandatory step to be considered for approval — or risk not receiving any payments at all.
The new requirement, announced on Monday, forms part of SASSA’s tightening of anti-fraud measures and comes amid ongoing Treasury pressure to streamline the R370-a-month SRD grant program ahead of its March 2026 expiry.
“Starting from 07 June 2025, anyone applying for the COVID-19 SRD Grant must complete biometric verification as part of the application process.” — official SASSA announcement
The agency urges applicants to have their smart ID card ready when applying through its online platform: www.srd.sassa.gov.za.
Stricter grant rules — again
The move comes just weeks after Treasury confirmed that all eight SASSA grants would continue increasing in 2025 — but under stricter oversight.
As previously reported by NOWinSA, monthly bank account and identity checks are already being phased in for all grants, including old age, child support, and disability. Civil society groups have warned these measures could “systemically exclude” eligible citizens due to database mismatches and digital access issues.
The addition of biometric screening to the SRD application process marks the first time physical identity verification is being formally required for digital applicants — a potential hurdle for many rural and low-income users without access to scanners or biometric devices.
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“SASSA in its effort to reduce fraud on the system has made biometric verification mandatory for all applicants.”
According to legal advocacy groups, this could open the door to further legal challenges. Earlier this year, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the exclusion of applicants based on “irregular income” or the requirement to apply online only was unlawful — a decision SASSA is currently appealing.
With government planning to phase out the SRD grant by March 2026 and replace it with employment-linked pathways like a proposed job-seekers allowance, today’s announcement reflects growing political and fiscal pressure to clamp down on fraud and save costs.
With food prices rising and fuel relief being scrapped in Budget 2025, civil society organisations warn that these new SASSA requirements risk pushing more vulnerable people deeper into poverty — especially those already struggling to meet monthly transport and documentation costs for grant applications.
