Can I Receive The SASSA SRD Grant And NSFAS At The Same Time – The SASSA SRD and the NSFAS are both funds that are released in the form of allowances to South African nationals who do not have a stable income or who are not financially capable. The SASSA SRD stands for SASSA Social Relief of Distress. This is a fund that was implemented by the South African Social Security Agency.
This fund was implemented in the Covid-era and it was meant to provide financial assistance to people or persons who are facing severe economic hardship. Its sole aim is to provide financial relief to those who do not have any financial backing and also to alleviate poverty. On the other hand, the National students Financial Assistance Scheme is to provide assistance to students who do not have the financial backing or capability to pursue higher education.
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In this article, we will delve further into whether or not one can receive both funding concurrently. What that means is that, if you are already receiving a SASSA SRD, will you be able to receive the NSFAS funding as well. To find out more, continue reading.
Can I Receive The SASSA SRD Grant And NSFAS At The Same Time?
This is a question that will run at top speed in your head, especially if you are caught between financial hardships and you are still finding financial footing. This is because SASSA SRD and the NSFAS are both aimed at providing financial assistance to its beneficiaries. The SASSA SRD is to provide financial assistance or relief to people who are facing severe economic hardship and the NSFAS is also meant to provide financial assistance in the form of allowances to students in public universities or TVET colleges who are aiming to pursue higher education.
For one to be beneficiaries of both, they have to go through the application process. Until they are accepted by the scheme, they will not enjoy the benefits that come with it. Beside the application process, these applicants must meet eligibility criteria. For NSFAS, here is the list of eligibility criteria and applicant must meet;
- They should be a South African
- They should be enrolled in a TVET college or a public university or planning to enrolled
- Their annual household income should not exceed R350,000
- They should have a South African ID card or passport
- They should have completed Grade 12 or its equivalent qualification
READ ALSO: How Long Does NSFAS Take To Respond To Appeals?
For SASSA SRD, here is a list of eligibility criteria;
- Be South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, or special permit holders
- They should be between the ages of 18 years to 60 years
- They should not be receiving any income or have an active source of income
- They should not be on NSFAS or a beneficiary
- They should not receiving any other social grants or Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments
If you are on SASSA SRD, you cannot receive NSFAS as well. The answer then is no, you will not be able to receive both funding. However, if you are enjoying the benefits that come with SASSA grants like the Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, or Care Dependency Grant— it means that you can receive the NSFAS concurrently.
In essence, if you are receiving SRD R350 Grant, you cannot take or enjoy NSFAS but if you are on other SASSA grants, you will be able to enjoy the NSFAS as well.
Does SASSA SRD Affect NSFAS?
The SASSA SRD is for a duration of three months tops. In extreme or special cases, the funding continues for another three months. This is because the funding is meant to provide a short term relief funding for persons who have no source of income at all.
SASSA SRD does not directly affect the NSFAS and this is why;
When you are a beneficiary of SRD, you can apply for the NSFAS since the former is for a short period of time, predominantly three months. Once your NSFAS application is approved and you become a beneficiary of the scheme, the SRD grants will cease.
READ ALSO: How Many Months Does NSFAS Give Allowance
SASSA does monthly checks to detect all of these so once they realize you are benefiting from NSFAS, you will be taken out of the scheme. However, if you are enjoying the benefits that come with SASSA grants like the Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, or Care Dependency Grant— it means that you can receive the NSFAS concurrently. Perhaps, we can say SASSA SRD affects NSFAS depending on how one looks at it.
Will NSFAS Fund Me If I Receive R350 SASSA?
Yes, you will be able to receive NSFAS funding if you are receiving R350 SASSA. But that is not all. If you are benefiting from SASSA before applying to the NSFAS, your SASSA allowance will be cancelled or cease to come once the NSFAS approves your application and you start receiving the benefits that come with NSFAS.
As mentioned earlier, if you are enjoying the benefits that come with SASSA grants like the Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, or Care Dependency Grant— it means that you can receive the NSFAS concurrently.
Conclusion
The SASSA SRD Grant was implemented by the South African Social Security Agency. This grant was implemented during the year where Covid-19 hit the world. The main objective of the SASSA grant is to provide relief or financial assistance to people who are facing severe economic hardships. On the other hand, the NSFAS is the National Students Financial Aid Scheme. This scheme is meant to provide financial assistance to students who are looking to further their education in the public university or TVET colleges. If you are on the SASSA SRD grant, you will be able to receive NSFAS funding as well. However, that comes with a caveat. You would have to receive just the SASSA grant to enjoy both the NSFAS and the SASSA grant. The SASSA grant is for a short period of time, mostly three months. In special cases, it comes for an additional three months.
You would have to check with SASSA and NSFAS if you are ready to be on both funding.
FAQS
What is SASSA SRD?
The SASSA SRD stands for SASSA Social Relief of Distress. This is a fund that was implemented by the South African Social Security Agency.
This fund was implemented in the Covid-era and it was meant to provide financial assistance to people or persons who are facing severe economic hardship. Its sole aim is to provide financial relief to those who do not have any financial backing and also to alleviate poverty.
What is NSFAS?
The National students Financial Assistance Scheme is to provide assistance to students who do not have the financial backing or capability to pursue higher education.
Can I transition from SASSA to NSFAS?
Yes, you will be able to transition from SASSA to the NSFAS. Once you apply for the NSFAS, and you are confirmed, your SASSA grants will cease to reflect. This means that SASSA will stop funding you.
What is the eligibility criteria for SASSA?
Be South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, or special permit holders
They should be between the ages of 18 years to 60 years
They should not be receiving any income or have an active source of income
They should not be on NSFAS or a beneficiary
They should not receiving any other social grants or Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments
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