Any money that reaches you, or a bank account linked to your ID, counts as income for the R624 monthly means test — not only a formal salary. Wages, informal or casual work, family transfers, rental income and UIF payments all count. SASSA checks bank deposits directly; it does not rely on what you declare.
What counts as income?
Wages or a salary, including part-time or short-term work
Informal or casual work — piece jobs, day labour, selling goods — once the money reaches your account
Money transferred by family or friends into an account linked to your ID, whatever the reason it was sent
Rental or business income
UIF payments, which also independently disqualify that month
Another social grant paid in your own name — Older Persons, Disability and the others, with one exception below
Paid for the child, not to the caregiver as a beneficiary in their own right — it does not disqualify the caregiver from also receiving SRD.
A genuine once-off gift or transfer
Still counted as income for that month if it pushes you over R624, but it can be explained in an appeal — see every decline reason and its fix.
How does SASSA see this?
Automatically, every month. SASSA matches your ID against SARS, UIF, NSFAS and the deposits into any bank account linked to you — it does not ask you to declare income yourself. A month with R624 or more arriving triggers the "alternative income source identified" decline for that month only. Full detail is on SRD eligibility and the means test.
Common questions
Does money from a family member count as my income?
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Yes, if it lands in an account linked to your ID. It does not matter who sent it — SASSA sees the deposit, not the reason. Use an account only you use if this keeps happening.
I do informal or casual work sometimes. Does that count?
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Yes, once the money reaches your account. Casual and informal earnings are treated the same as any other income for the means test.
Does receiving the Child Support Grant for my child count against me?
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No. It is paid for the child, not to you as a beneficiary, so it does not count toward your own SRD means test.
What if a single large deposit was a loan or a gift, not income?
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It is still counted for that month's check, but you can explain it in an appeal within 90 days. See how to appeal.
Sources: SRD regulations under the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004; srd.sassa.gov.za. Last verified August 2026.
✓Reviewed by Secure The Grant editorial team against official SASSA sources on . How we check our facts