What can I do if I don't qualify for government housing and have no source of income?

The long answer

This is a truly difficult situation to be in and, unfortunately, there is no clear way out. With the pandemic, so many people lost their jobs and their homes. This is why the government is being urged to consider a Basic Income Grant. 

You mention in your email that you have not received any UIF payment after losing your job. If your employers were deducting UIF from your wages, you are entitled to UIF benefits when you lose your job.

You can contact the UIF to find out if you are owed benefits here: UIF call centre: 0800 030 007 (weekdays 7.30am to 4.00pm). You would need to give your name, ID and UIF reference number. The UIF also has a hotline for the pandemic benefit at 012 337 1997. Again, you would need to give your name and ID number. 

If you are not owed any UIF benefits, the only government assistance you could access would be the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which is only R350 a month. You are paid from the month you apply electronically.

To qualify for the new Covid-19 SRD grant, you must be:

• A South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee registered with Home Affairs

• Between 18 and 59 years old

• Unemployed

• Not receiving any income Earning less than R625 per month*

• Not receiving any social grant (with the exception of Child Support Grants)

• Not receiving or qualifying to receive any UIF or NSFAS benefits

• Not staying in a government-funded institution.

*UPDATE (15/02/2023): As of August 2022, applicants earning R624 or less could qualify for the grant. You need to reconfirm your existing application at least once every three months.

The information you have to give SASSA is the following:

• ID number

• Name and surname as in ID and initials

• Gender and any disability

• Banking details: bank name and account number

• Contact details: cell phone number

• Proof of residential address

You can only apply electronically:

• WhatsApp 0600 123 456 and select SASSA

• USSD: *134*7737#

• Email SRD@sassa.gov.za

• Call centre IVR: 0800 60 10 11

• Website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za

SASSA will only ask for your bank details once the application has been approved. You should never give your PIN number.

You can learn about other social grants you or your daughter might qualify for here: Social Grants Guide.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie