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This research evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 grant on poverty in South Africa and the implications for permanent social security solutions.

May 24, 2026Open Access

What we can learn from the COVID-19 grant

Key Points

This research evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 grant on poverty in South Africa and the implications for permanent social security solutions.
Partnership research conducted by Black Sash and Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
Assessment of how the COVID-19 grant affected vulnerable populations
Analysis of administrative challenges related to grant distribution
The grant significantly supported vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic
Challenges in administration limited the full effectiveness of the grants
Insights suggest pathways to improve the delivery and impact of social security programs.

Abstract

The hunger and poverty crisis that the social relief of distress grant aimed to alleviate was exacerbated by COVID-19, but it existed long before the pandemic. The introduction of the grant provided a basis on which to assess the role that expanded permanent social security �� such as a targeted basic income grant �� could play in assisting people in South Africa. A Black Sash report, based on research conducted in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), highlighted the critical role that the grant played in keeping vulnerable South Africans afloat. It also underscored the current administration challenges that limit the effectiveness of grants, and how these might be overcome.

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