Assalamualikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu Muftisaheb
I have a question regarding the R350 social distress grant as offered by the South African government, please.
1) Please can muftisaheb advise whether it is permissible for an individual who is unemployed but whose needs and wants are taken care of, and who doesn’t have any expenses, nor are they living in dire conditions, to apply for the R350 social distress grant?
2) If the above is not permissible, then please could muftisaheb advise on the ruling in the case whereby one previously applied for the grant and was approved for it and one received and utilized the money as per one’s discretion.
Jazak-Allah muftisaheb.
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
The government makes it very clear that the social grant is a ‘temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ most basic needs.’
Amongst their Terms and Conditions, it is mentioned:
Applicants must be:
…..
- Unemployed;
- Not receiving any income;
- Not receiving any social grant
As such, it will not be permissible to take the Grant.
If one has already previously taken the grant, then he should make sincere Tawba.
The funds could either be used to pay rates and taxes (or any other government charges). Alternatively, the funds should be given to the poor, without the intention of reward.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)
References
https://www.gov.za/services/social-benefits/social-relief-distress
https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individuals-and-households/social-grants-coronavirus-covid-19