‘Too young for pension’: SRD grant recipients over 40 make their case

R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant recipients in their forties and fifties say they are the forgotten group in South Africa’s unemployment crisis.

On The South African’s Facebook page, Modiko Thupudi argued that critics of the grant overlook a large section of the population.

“People are quick to say R370 to be taken away but I never heard anyone asking what’s the plan about of the government about the MISSING MIDDLE of our population (35 years – 60 years) that’s people who are too old to get govt jobs but too young for pension,” he wrote.

“So exactly what happens to a person when you lose your job at 45 ?” he asked.

Calls for bigger payments for over-40s

Lashley Dikgale proposed a substantial increase. “For those who are 40 and above the R370 unemployment grant should be increased to R1250 especially if you don’t have kids and you want to build a credit record for yourself,” she wrote.

Pat Kwaitos called for less: “Must be increased to R800, especially those who have 40 years or more.”

Jozanne Ànnelise Fisher’s comment drew 18 replies: “I would appreciate it if the R370 grant was permanent, especially at the age of 40 years old and above, so that younger people can go to work.”

What government says

The gap these commenters describe is large. According to National Treasury, the old-age grant rose by R80 in April 2026, to R2 400. SRD recipients still receive R370

In October, the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) was updated. The government said it would extend the grant while work continues, linking it to labour market activation, skills development and enterprise support.

The government has not announced any age-based payment.

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