SRD R370 Checker
Am I eligible for the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant? Check the income threshold and rules.
The single most misunderstood part of the SRD R370 grant is the income threshold. To qualify, you must have no more than R624 coming to you in a month. SASSA checks this every month, largely by looking at bank activity linked to your ID, and it is the reason behind many "income source identified" declines. This is our flagship explainer on how the R624 rule really works, what counts as income, and how to avoid being declined by mistake.
What the R624 threshold is
The R624 figure is the monthly income ceiling for the SRD grant. If SASSA's checks show that more than R624 came to you in a given month, you are treated as having enough means to fall outside the grant for that month, and you are declined. Note that this is a monthly test, not a yearly one, so a good month and a bad month are judged separately.
The threshold sits alongside the other core rules: you must be aged 18 to 59, be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or recognised refugee, be unemployed, and not be receiving another grant, NSFAS, or UIF. If you are unsure where you stand, our SRD R370 status check helper points you to the official steps, the SASSA means test calculator helps you estimate your position, and the broader SASSA means test explained guide covers how means testing works across all grants.
Why R624 and not some rounder figure
The R624 threshold is a specific policy figure set for the SRD grant, and it is deliberately close to the value of the grant itself in the sense that it targets people with essentially no reliable monthly income. You do not need to memorise the reasoning behind the exact number, but it helps to treat it as a hard line: R624 or less in a month keeps you within the income rule, and anything above it for that month takes you out. Because it is fixed rather than a sliding scale, even a small amount over the line produces a decline for that month.
How the monthly bank check works
SASSA verifies income partly through a bank-verification process. Financial institutions confirm whether money above the threshold has moved through accounts linked to your ID number in the month being assessed. This is automated and happens every month, which is why your status can change from approved to declined and back again.
Because the check looks at money flowing into accounts tied to your ID, it can pick up deposits you might not think of as "income". That is the crux of most wrongful declines.
Tip: The system sees deposits, not their meaning. A R700 gift from a relative can look the same as a R700 wage unless you explain it in an appeal.
It looks at all accounts linked to your ID
A point people often miss is that the check is not limited to the account you gave SASSA for payment. Any account tied to your ID number can be visible to the verification process, including an old account you rarely use or a savings pocket you forgot about. If a large deposit lands in any of them, it can trigger an income decline. Being aware of every account in your name, not just your main one, is part of understanding why a decline happened.
What counts as income
Broadly, income means money you receive that is available to you to live on. This can include:
- Wages or payment for casual work.
- Regular support paid to you.
- Money deposited into an account in your name above R624 in a month.
What should not count but can trip the check
Some deposits are not really your income but can still trigger a flag:
- A once-off gift from family or friends.
- A loan or a loan repayment passing through your account.
- Money you are holding on behalf of someone else.
- A refund or reversal.
If one of these pushed you over R624 and you were declined, that is exactly the kind of case an appeal is designed for. Our guide on how to appeal a declined SRD grant explains how to state clearly that the money was not regular income.
Worked examples of the monthly test
A few scenarios show how the monthly nature of the test plays out:
- You receive nothing all month except a R500 gift. That is below R624, so the income rule is satisfied for that month.
- You do two days of casual work and are paid R800. That is above R624, so that month is likely declined, but the following month, with no income, can be approved again.
- A relative deposits R2,000 to help with a family emergency. The check sees R2,000 and declines the month, even though it was not your earnings. This is the classic case for an appeal.
The "income source identified" decline
When the bank check finds money above the threshold, your status often reads as an income or means source identified. This is covered among the other reasons in our guide to SRD declined reasons and how to fix them. The important thing to understand is that this decline is about a specific month's money movement, not a permanent judgement about you.
How to respond
- If the flagged money was genuine, regular income above R624, the decline is correct for that month.
- If it was a once-off or not truly yours, appeal within the 90-day window and explain the source.
- Going forward, be mindful of what passes through accounts linked to your ID, so future months clear cleanly.
How the R624 rule interacts with other grants
The income threshold is only one of the SRD eligibility rules, and it can interact with the "no other grant" rule in ways that confuse people. You cannot generally receive SRD at the same time as most other social grants, which is a separate test from the R624 income check. For context, permanent grants pay far more, with Old Age at R2,400 rising to R2,420 at 75, Disability at R2,400, and Child Support at R580, and receiving one of these usually rules out SRD regardless of your bank activity. Our guide on whether you can get multiple grants explains which combinations are and are not allowed.
Practical tips to understand your situation
Keeping on top of the R624 rule is mostly about awareness.
- Know that the test is monthly, so each month stands on its own.
- Remember that any account linked to your ID can be checked, not only your main one.
- If relatives send you money, understand that large or regular deposits can affect your status.
- Keep your contact details current so you can respond to prompts. See changing your phone number for SASSA SRD.
- Check your status monthly so an income decline does not go unnoticed, as covered in how to check your SRD status online.
Keeping simple records for appeals
Because so many R624 declines come down to explaining a single deposit, it pays to keep light records of any unusual money that reaches your accounts. If a relative sends you a gift, a friend repays a loan, or you receive a refund, a quick note of the date, amount, and reason means that if the month is declined you can explain the deposit accurately in an appeal without straining to remember months later. You are not usually asked to upload proof, but being able to describe the source clearly and consistently is exactly what turns a weak appeal into a strong one.
The R624 threshold is a fixed figure for now, but grant rules are reviewed over time. We are an independent helper and not part of SASSA, so always verify current figures at sassa.gov.za or by phoning the toll-free line on 0800 60 10 11.
Frequently asked questions
Is the R624 threshold checked every month?
Yes. The income test is monthly, and SASSA re-verifies it each month largely through bank activity linked to your ID. This is why your status can move from approved to declined and back depending on the month.
Does money from family count towards the R624 limit?
It can. The bank check sees deposits, not their purpose, so a gift or transfer from family above R624 can trigger an income decline. If that happens, appeal and explain that it was a once-off gift and not regular income.
What if I only earned a little casual money one month?
If that money took you over R624 for the month, you would likely be declined for that month only. The following month, with no such income, you can be approved again because the test is monthly.
Does the R624 limit apply to my whole household or just me?
The SRD income test looks at money linked to your own ID, not a combined household figure. It is an individual test, which is different from how some means-tested grants consider a spouse. Our SASSA means test explained guide covers how household means testing works for the larger grants.
If I keep my money in cash instead of a bank, will I always qualify?
Avoiding a bank does not change your actual eligibility, and it can make receiving your grant harder. The rule is about whether your income exceeds R624, not about whether it passes through a bank. Deliberately hiding real income would be dishonest and could count against you, while genuinely having no income above R624 is what qualifies you regardless of how you hold your money.
How can I check whether my income is under the threshold before applying?
You can estimate your position with our SASSA means test calculator, which helps you see how your income compares to the relevant limits. It is a guide rather than an official decision, so always confirm the outcome by checking your actual status on the portal once you have applied.