Understanding the systemic barriers to social assistance
Millions of working-age South Africans qualify for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, yet less than half receive it. Research by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), with support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), exposes how flawed poverty targeting and administrative failures lead to widespread SRD grant exclusion, deepening economic hardship for vulnerable groups.
Key Findings: Who is Being Excluded and Why?
A survey of 900 excluded individuals and 58 in-depth interviews revealed that 89.7% of exclusions on average each month were erroneous (of eligible people). The primary causes of exclusion include:
- Application Barriers – Many face challenges applying due to digital and language limitations.
- Faulty Eligibility Verification – 80% of rejections result from misclassified financial status.
- Non-Payment of Approved Grants – Nearly half of successful applicants do not receive funds.
- Difficult Appeal Process – Only 5.3% of appeals from eligible individuals succeed.
Those most affected include women caregivers, rural residents, undocumented individuals, and those without digital or banking access. These systemic exclusions reinforce existing inequalities, preventing those in need from accessing critical support.
The Devastating Impact of Exclusion
Being denied the SRD grant leads to increased poverty, hunger, and financial instability. With no alternative social assistance for working-age adults, many struggle to meet basic needs, worsening long-term economic hardship.
A Call for Urgent Reform
To ensure fair access to social protection, the IEJ recommends:
- Eliminating overly restrictive eligibility criteria that exclude the most vulnerable.
- Improving transparency in verification processes.
- Providing non-digital application options to improve accessibility.
A more inclusive, rights-based approach—such as a universal basic income grant—can address the failures of poverty-targeted assistance and provide a true safety net for South Africans.
Research Launch
The third installment of the IEJ’s Economic Justice Matters webinar series launched the research report Systemic Exclusion from a South African Social Assistance Transfer: Drivers, Impacts, and Who Is Most at Risk.
Despite being eligible, millions of South Africans are excluded from the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant due to flawed poverty targeting, digital and financial barriers, and systemic administrative failures. This webinar explores the key findings from IEJ’s research, the lived experiences of those excluded, and urgent policy recommendations for a more inclusive and just social protection system.
Date: 9 April 2025
Facilitator: Siyanda Baduza
Presenter: Dr Kelle Howson (IEJ)
Panelists:
- Dr Stephen Kidd (Development Pathways)
- Dr Wiseman Magasela (Clermont Analytics)
- Kgothatso Sibanda (Black Sash)