JOHANNESBURG - The Covid relief of distress grant was created in 2020 to provide impoverished people money to survive on when covid lockdown restrictions stopped them from seeking work.
It was initially worth R350 per month, and has since been raised to R370, but no more, even though inflation over the last five years has meant that R370 today buys you less than R350 bought you in 2020.
The court applicants were trying to force the Department of Social Development to increase the grant in line with inflation.
To be eligible for this grant, you have to receive less than R625 per month income, and SASSA monitors applicants’ bank accounts to see how much they are receiving.