R350 Payment Date for January 2023: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Hey, Hustlers! Are you wondering when you will receive your R350 grant payment for January 2024? If so, you are not alone. Millions of South Africans rely on this grant to survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we at HustleHub have compiled this article to give you all the information you need to know about the R350 payment date for January 2024. Read on to find out when you can expect your money, how to check your payment status, and how to reapply for the grant.

What is the R350 Grant?

The R350 grant, also known as the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, is a monthly payment of R350 (about $23) for eligible South Africans who are unemployed and have no other source of income. The grant was introduced by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in May 2020 as a temporary measure to provide relief to those who are most affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. The grant was initially supposed to end in October 2020, but it has been extended several times due to the ongoing crisis. The latest extension is until March 2024, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2023.

Who is Eligible for the R350 Grant?

The eligibility criteria for the R350 grant have been updated to include more categories of individuals who may need financial support during the pandemic. The current eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees registered with Home Affairs.
• Applicants must be resident within the borders of the Republic of South Africa.
• Applicants must be above the age of 18.
• Applicants must be unemployed and not receiving any income.
• Applicants must not be receiving any social grant, such as old age, disability, child support, foster care, or war veterans grants.
• Applicants must not be receiving any unemployment insurance benefits and must not qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
• Applicants must not be receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
• Applicants must not be receiving any other government COVID-19 response support, such as the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) or the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant for caregivers.
• Applicants must not be residents in a government-funded or subsidized institution, such as a prison, care facility, or shelter.

In addition to the above criteria, the following updates have been made to accommodate more applicants:

• Applicants who receive income from informal or occasional work, such as selling goods, providing services, or doing piece jobs, are now eligible to apply for the grant, as long as their monthly income is below R595 per person or R1,190 per household.
• Applicants who are asylum seekers or holders of special permits under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit Dispensation, and the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation, are now eligible to apply for the grant, as long as they have valid permits.

What Information is Required to Apply for the R350 Grant?

To apply for the R350 grant, applicants need to provide the following information:

• Identity number, as per their ID document, smart ID card, refugee ID, or permit number.
• Name and surname, as captured in their ID document or smart ID card.
• Gender and disability status.
• Banking details, including bank name and account number, if they have a bank account.
• Contact details, including cell phone number and email address, if they have one.
• Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit.

SASSA does not require applicants to scan or upload any supporting documents, such as ID, proof of address, or bank statements. However, applicants give consent for SASSA to validate their information against data sources held by government and financial institutions, such as the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Service, and banks. Providing false or misleading information in an attempt to qualify for the grant is an offence and will result in prosecution.

How to Apply for the R350 Grant?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the R350 grant online through the SASSA SRD website. You will need to provide your details, such as your name, ID number, contact number, and bank account details. You will also need to consent to SASSA verifying your information with other databases, such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

You can also apply for the R350 grant via WhatsApp by sending a message to 082 046 8553. You will receive a reply with a link to the online application form. Alternatively, you can apply via email by sending your personal details to srd@sassa.gov.za.

You only need to apply once for the R350 grant. However, you will need to reapply every month to confirm that you still meet the eligibility criteria. You can reapply online, via WhatsApp, or via email, using the same details as before.

When is the R350 Payment Date for January 2023?

The R350 payment date for January 2023 depends on the payment method you have chosen and the processing time of your application. There are two payment methods available: direct bank transfer and cash collection.

If you have chosen direct bank transfer, you will receive your R350 grant payment in your bank account. The payment date for this method is between January 25th and January 31st, 2024. However, this may vary depending on your bank and the processing time of your application. It may take up to three working days for the money to reflect in your account after the payment has been processed.

If you have chosen cash collection, you will receive your R350 grant payment in cash at a designated retail outlet, such as Boxer, Pick n Pay, Checkers, or Shoprite. The payment date for this method is also between January 25th and January 31st, 2024. However, this may vary depending on the availability of cash at the outlet and the processing time of your application. You will need to use your phone number and ID number to collect your money at the outlet.

How are Payments Made and How to Check the Status of the Application?

Payments for the R350 grant will be made through the channel of the applicant’s choice, either into their bank account or via a money transfer service offered by one of the major banks⁵. Applicants who do not have a bank account can also apply and receive their payments through a money transfer, once their applications are approved and verified⁶.

Applicants can check the status of their applications online, by visiting srd.sassa.gov.za and entering their ID number. They can also update their responses to the screening questionnaire, change their banking details, cancel their applications, or reinstate their applications, if they previously cancelled them, on the same website.

If an application is declined, the applicant can submit an appeal by accessing the Department of Social Development appeals website at [https://appeals.srd.dsd.gov.za]. Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the rejection notification.

What to Do If You Have Not Received Your R350 Payment?

If you have not received your R350 payment for January 2023, you should first check your payment status on the website or WhatsApp. If your status shows that your payment has been processed, but you have not received it in your bank account or at the retail outlet, you should contact SASSA for assistance. You can call the SASSA SRD toll-free number at 0800 601 011 or send an email to srd@sassa.gov.za. You should provide your ID number, phone number, and payment method when contacting SASSA.

If your status shows that your payment has not been processed, you should wait for a few days and check again. Sometimes, there may be delays in processing payments due to high volumes of applications, system errors, or verification issues. You should also make sure that your bank account details or phone number are correct and updated on the website or WhatsApp. If you have changed your bank account or phone number, you should inform SASSA as soon as possible.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has answered all your questions about the R350 payment date for January 2023. Remember, the R350 grant is a lifeline for many South Africans who are struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we at HustleHub are committed to providing you with the latest and most accurate information about the grant and other financial topics. If you found this article helpful, please share it with your fellow Hustlers and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates. Stay safe and keep hustling!